KISSIMMEE, Fla. (June 26, 2024) – Orlando City B (4-4-6, 21 points) played to a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United II (3-6-3, 13 points) thanks to a Favian Loyola stoppage-time goal at Osceola County Stadium on Wednesday night. The Lions gained an extra point by winning the end-of-regulation shootout 5-3.
Forward Wilfredo Rivera made his return to the starting lineup after spending two games with the First Team and gave the Lions an early 1-0 in the 11th minute. The score was Rivera’s fourth of the season, good for second-best on the team so far. Defender Alex Freeman picked up his fourth assist on the goal, which ties him with Yutaro Tsukada for most to date in 2024.
Orlando City B would hold the lead most of the match, but Atlanta United 2 would score two late second-half goals to take the lead going into stoppage time. Second-half substitute Favian Loyola, however, scored his 10th career OCB goal in the last minutes of stoppage time to secure the draw for the Lions. Loyola has spent the last 20 days playing for Chile’s U-20 national team. Rivera picked up his third assist of the season on the equalizer.
Jhon Solís, Wilfredo Rivera, Colin Guske, Favian Loyola and Shak Mohammed were the goal scorers in the shootout. Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made one save to secure the extra point.
The Lions next match will take place on Sunday, July 7, when Carolina Core FC makes its second trip to Osceola County Stadium. That match will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Scoring Summary:
11’ Wilfredo Rivera (Alex Freeman) – ORL 1, ATL 0
It didn’t take long for the Lions to take the lead on a goal from Wilfredo Rivera. Jhon Solís took a pass at midfield and led defender Alex Freeman with a chip pass that got behind the Atlanta United 2 back line. Goalkeeper Josh Cohen was caught off his line, and Freeman sent a pass back to the middle of the box to Rivera, who tapped in a shot on the open net.
70’ Nick Firmino (Alan Carlton) – ORL 1, ATL 1
Atlanta found its equalizer in the second half with Nick Firmino heading in a shot. The visitors built up an attack inside the Lions’ defensive zone and second-half substitute Alan Carlton took control of the ball at the end line and sent a cross to the far side of the goal where Firmino was waiting to direct a shot past goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.
88’ Karim Tmimi (Alan Carlton) – ATL 2, ORL 1
With the end of the second half approaching, Atlanta United took the late lead with Carlton once again getting the assist. Carlton got a defensive stop in the middle of the field and took the ball up the center of the Orlando defense. Karim Tmimi took the pass from Carlton and took it into the box unmarked and slipped a shot underneath Mercado.
90+5’ Favian Loyola (Wilfredo Rivera) – ORL 2, ATL 2
Orlando City B found its own equalizer late into stoppage time to send the game to the end-of-regulation shootout. Second-half substitute Favian Loyola took a short pass from Rivera before weaving his way through the Atlanta United 2 defense and drilling a shot from outside the box into the back of the net.
Match Notes:
- Wilfredo Rivera scored his fourth goal of the 2024 season, second most on the team.
- Rivera picked up his third assist of the year after setting up Favian Loyola’s second-half equalizer.
- Defender Alex Freeman picked up his fourth assist of the season, tied with Yutaro Tsukada for most on the Club, and 10th all-time for the Lions.
- Midfielder Favian Loyola made his return to OCB as a second-half substitute, after spending the last 20 days with Chile’s U-20 national team.
- Favian Loyola scored his second goal of the 2024 season and his 10th as a member of Orlando City B
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Chattanooga FC with Carlos Mercado, Zakaria Taifi and Wilfredo Rivera being inserted into the lineup.
