Orlando City B (4-4-5, 19 points) vs. Atlanta United 2 (3-6-2, 12 points)
When: Wednesday, June 26, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, FL
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (Subscription Required)
Thriller In Orlando
Orlando City B’s last match against Chattanooga FC was a nailbiter, with the two sides playing to a 2-2 draw and Chattanooga coming away with the extra point in the end-of-regulation shootout. The Lions took the lead going into halftime on forward Shak Mohammed’s team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 30th minute. After an early second-half goal from Chattanooga to equalize, Orlando thought it broke through with the game-winner on a Jhon Solís penalty kick in the 89th minute. However, Chattanooga tied the game up again just six minutes later in stoppage time before going on to win the shootout 4-2.
Feeling Peachy
The Lions will face Atlanta United 2 for the second time this season and will look to continue their string of recent success. After going 0-1-1 through its first two MLS NEXT Pro matchups with Atlanta, Orlando City B has won the last two meetings, both by a score of 3-2. In the 2024 season opener, the Lions went down 1-0 early, but came roaring back with goals from Jhon Solís, Yutaro Tsukada and Colin Guske to take the win up in Georgia to start the 2024 campaign.
Winning From the Spot
Orlando City B has found a knack this season for finding opportunities from the penalty spot. The Lions are tied for fourth in MLS NEXT Pro for most penalty kicks awarded with four, converting on three of them to date. The Club also sits in the middle of the leader board in penalty kicks conceded with three. The end-of-regulations shootouts have been fairly kind to the Lions this season, with the team being able to steal two extra points on the season with their two shootout wins. Only four teams in MLS NEXT Pro have more shootout wins than Orlando.
Roster Movement
During the June international break, Orlando City B has seen its roster go through some changes. After making 10 appearances on the season, forward Favion Loyola was called up to the U-20 squad for Chile and has missed the Lions’ last two matches. With several players from the first team making international appearances, forward Wilfredo Rivera was recently signed to a short-term agreement with Orlando City and was with the Club during its matches against Charlotte and Chicago Fire FC. After four appearances and three starts with OCB, defender Abdi Salim was loaned to Detroit City FC of the USL Championship until the end of the season.
