MATTHEWS, N.C. (Sept. 8, 2024) – Orlando City B (9-7-9, 40 points) defeats Crown Legacy FC (10-8-6, 40 points) on the road for the second time this season in a 4-1 win at the Mecklenberg County Sportsplex at Matthews on Sunday night. Alex Freeman scored a brace in the first half and recorded an assist in the second half to lead the Lions.
Two Orlando City First Team players returned to the starting lineup and made an impact in the OCB victory. Getting the start at midfield, Jeorgio Kocevski recorded his first assist of the season by setting up Freeman’s first goal with a long lead pass from the Lions’ own defensive end. Jack Lynn, who won the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro MVP and Golden Boot, scored his first goal of the 2024 season early in the second half.
Crown Legacy pulled within two on a goal from second-half substitute Jonathan Nyandjo and looked to be putting pressure on the Lions late in the match. However, Shak Mohammed scored his 11th goal of the season on a breakaway in the 84th minute to end any potential comeback.
The Lions return to Osceola County Stadium for their last two home matches of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. Their first match will be against New England Revolution II on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Scoring Summary:
18’ Alex Freeman (Jeorgio Kocevski) – ORL 1, CLFC 0
The Lions jumped out to an early lead with a goal from defender Alex Freeman. Midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski gained control in his own defensive end and sent a long pass up the right side to Freeman. Crown Legacy goalkeeper George Marks came out of the box to try and get to the pass, but Freeman’s touch beat the keeper and he was able to finish the play off from just inside the box on the empty net.
45+2’ Alex Freeman (Luca Petrasso) – ORL 2, CLFC 0
Orlando doubled its lead just two minutes into first-half stoppage time on another goal from Alex Freeman. Jhon Solís led Luca Petrasso down the left wing of the Crown Legacy defensive zone. Petrasso then dribbled into the box and sent a low cross to Freeman who punched in his second goal of the afternoon.
51’ Jack Lynn (Alex Freeman) – ORL 3, CLFC 0
Just six minutes into the second half, the Lions added another goal to their lead. Off a free kick, Yutaro Tsukada sent a long lead pass to Freeman in the middle of the field who tapped a pass to Jack Lynn running next to him to beat Marks on the breakaway for his first goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season.
75’ Jonathan Nyandjo – ORL 3, CLFC 1
Crown Legacy got one back with a goal late in the second half. Nikola Petković led an attack through the Lions’ defense and ripped a shot from outside the box that hit off the post, where the rebound landed to Jonathan Nyandjo who finished off the play with a goal.
84’ Shak Mohammed (Jhon Solís) – ORL 4, CLFC 1
OCB went up by three goals for the second time on the afternoon on a breakaway goal from Shak Mohammed. Jhon Solís led Mohammed behind the Crown Legacy back line near midfield. Mohammed dribbled into the box with just the goalkeeper to beat and finished off his team-leading 11th goal of the season.
Match Notes:
- Midfielder Jeorgio Kocevski made his second start of the 2024 season for Orlando City B and his first since April 2 against Inter Miami CF II. Kocevski also recorded his first assist of the 2024 season on Freeman’s first tally.
- Forward Jack Lynn made his fourth start of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season and his first since July 27 against Chattanooga FC. Lynn, the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro MVP and Golden Boot winner, tallied his first goal of the 2024 campaign for OCB.
- Defender Alex Freeman scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season in the first half. Freeman has now scored in three straight matches and provided a goal contribution in four straight matches. The brace served as the second of his career and first in 2024.
- Midfielder Shak Mohammed scored his 11th goal of the season, adding on to his team lead.
- With Head Coach Manuel Goldberg suspended for this match due to yellow-card accumulation, the young Lions were led by Assistant Coach Julian Vergara.
- Assistant Coach Julian Vergara made two changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Huntsville City FC, with Jeorgio Kocevski and Jack Lynn returning to the starting XI.
