KENNESAW, Ga. (March 16, 2024) – Orlando City B (1-0-0, 3 points) opened the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 3-2 win over Atlanta United 2, with Colin Guske’s 49th-minute goal turning out to be the difference.
The home team struck early after Javiar Armas finished off a penalty kick just 11 minutes into the game, but the Lions responded back with authority. Jhon Solís got behind the Atlanta defense and drew a penalty of his own, which he converted to even the score. Just four minutes later, newcomer Yutaro Tsukada drilled a free kick from just outside the box to give OCB the lead they’d never give back.
The Lions continued to attack early in the second half with Alex Freeman taking on several Atlanta defenders before the ball found its way to another OCB debutant, Colin Guske, who found the back of the net in the 49th minute to give OCB a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Atlanta United 2 made a late push however, with several attacks into the Lions’ defensive third. United made the game interesting for Orlando in the first minute of stoppage time when Erik Centeno laid in a cross to Efraín Morales, who headed it in past the goalkeeper. In the end, Orlando City held on for a 3-2 road victory.
The Lions will travel to Joe W. Davis Stadium to take on Huntsville City FC on Friday March 22 in another MLS NEXT Pro match. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
11’ Javier Armas (PK) - ATL 1, ORL 0
After Luke Brennan drew a penalty, the home team got on the board first with a penalty kick from Javiar Armas that found its way past the goalkeeper.
26’ Jhon Solís (PK) - ORL 1, ATL 1
The Lions got the equalizer on a penalty kick of their own, after Jhon Solís not only drew the penalty in the box from Efraín Morales, but placed the penalty kick in the middle of the goal.
30’ Yutaro Tsukada - ORL 2, ATL 1
Just moments later, OCB took the lead with a Yutaro Tsukada free kick from just outside the box that was driven past the goalkeeper in the upper-right corner of the net.
49’ Colin Guske - ORL 3, ATL 1
OCB opened the second half quickly with a goal in the 49th minute after an initial attack was halted by Atlanta, but Colin Guske intercepted a would-be clearance and drilled a shot from outside the box.
90+1’ Efraín Morales (Erik Centeno) - ORL 3, ATL 2
Atlanta United 2 looked to make a late run shortly into stoppage time when Erik Centeno went deep down the right side of the OCB defense before he crossed the ball to Efraín Morales whose header sneaked past the goalkeeper to the bottom corner of the net.
Match Notes:
- Orlando City B starts the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign 1-0-0 after the afternoon’s win.
- Manuel Goldberg made his head coaching debut after serving as an assistant with the Lions since 2022. Goldberg also picked up his first professional win as a coach, along with assistant Julian Vergara.
- Yutaro Tsukada, Colin Guske, Justin Ellis, Majed Abdullah and Thomas Bowe all made their first professional appearances on Saturday in Atlanta.
