Orlando City B (4-4-3, 16 points) vs Carolina Core FC (1-6-2, 7 points)
When: Friday, June 7, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, FL
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (Subscription Required)
First Look at a New Squad
On Friday night, Orlando City B will welcome MLS NEXT Pro expansion team Carolina Core FC to Osceola County Stadium for the first time in the two teams’ histories. Carolina Core was established as an independent team in November 2022 and joined MLS NEXT Pro in 2024 for its inaugural season. The Core currently hold a 1-6-2 record through their first nine career games and will be making their first trip to Orlando in the club’s young history.
Rough Night Down South
Orlando City B traveled to Inter Miami CF II this past weekend and dropped a 3-1 decision in the second leg of the Florida Derby. The Lions broke a stretch of three games scoring three or more goals in what was a heated contest. The game was a physical matchup with 12 cards being handed out, 10 for Miami and two given to OCB. The Lions were unfortunately unable to take of advantage of Miami picking up two red cards and being a man up for most of the second half and two men up for the duration of second-half stoppage time.
Trying to Start a Streak
The Lions have twice gone unbeaten in back-to-back games in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season. Orlando City B will look to pick up their third such streak and potentially extend, with the next two matches serving as a good opportunity for the Club do just that with both games being played at home at Osceola Heritage Park. Carolina Core is a new squad trying to find its place in the league and the Lions have already faced Chattanooga FC this year, stealing two points on the road.
Staying Set
Through 11 games, Orlando City B has taken the most total set pieces in MLS NEXT Pro with 251 chances from set opportunities, eight more than second place Philadelphia Union II. The Lions rank third in the league in free kicks taken (189) going into matchday 13, sixth in total corner kicks (60), and have taken two penalty kicks to date. Five of the Club’s 20 goals this season have come directly from set pieces, four from free kicks and one from a penalty.
