Orlando City B (1-0-0) at Huntsville City FC (0-0-1)
When: Friday, March 22, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, Huntsville, Alabama
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (Subscription Required)
Starting Strong
With the win over Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, the Lions won their season-opening match for the third consecutive year, defeating Chicago Fire FC II on opening weekend in 2022 and taking down Philadelphia Union II to start 2023. OCB kicked off its record-setting campaign last year with three straight wins to start the season and will be looking to do the same this year and pick up its second win when the Club takes on Huntsville City FC this Friday.
Setting the Tone
The Lions started their 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign off on a strong note last weekend, traveling to Atlanta United 2 last Saturday and leaving Fifth Third Bank Stadium with a 3-2 win. The Lions went down in the first half on a penalty kick before leveling with one of their own from Jhon Solís. Yutaro Tsukada and Colin Guske both scored goals from outside the box to secure all three points for OCB in its opening match of 2024.
Manu Mania
The Lions’ recently promoted Head Coach Manuel Goldberg won his first game in charge of the MLS NEXT Pro side over the weekend since being promoted from Assistant Head Coach to Head Coach ahead of the season. Goldberg, 30, is the youngest Head Coach in MLS NEXT Pro history, making OCB’s win over Atlanta United 2 the youngest win by a Head Coach in league history.
Debut Dimes
Last Saturday marked a day of firsts for many on Orlando City B. The goals from Tsukada and Guske were their first professional goals in their debuts as professional players. Tsukada was selected by Orlando City 25th overall in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, while Guske is playing for OCB as an Orlando City Academy player. Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado also made his first start for the Lions.
