Orlando City B (4-4-6, 21 points) vs Carolina Core FC (2-7-4, 13 points)
When: Sunday, July 7, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, FL
TV: MLSNEXTPro.com
Back So Soon?
On Sunday night, the Lions will welcome back expansion team Carolina Core FC to Osceola County Stadium for the second time within a month. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw on June 7, with Orlando City B coming away with an extra point by winning the end-of-regulation shootout 6-5. The Foxes jumped out to a 2-0 advantage going into halftime and looked to be heading towards a win late into the second half. However, the Lions stormed back with late goals from Alex Freeman and captain Imanol Almaguer to pull even and force the deciding shootout. Goalkeeper Javier Otero would make two saves to seal the extra points for Orlando.
Developing Talent
Orlando City has made an effort to utilize its homegrown talent to the fullest throughout its pathway to the pros, and last week’s MLS match against New York City FC was no different. Orlando City goalkeeper and academy product Javier Otero made his First Team debut coming in as a first-half substitute for Mason Stajduhar. Otero has been a prominent figure in the OCB lineup this season, with nine starts and 34 saves in 2024. Since joining MLS NEXT Pro in 2022, Otero has made 51 starts and recorded 205 saves, including a league-high 100 in OCB’s inaugural season.
Comeback Kids
The young Lions needed a second-half stoppage time goal from forward Favian Loyola to draw even with Atlanta United 2 in their match last week, and it's not the first time that Orlando City B has found the back of the net in late game situations. Of their 26 goals throughout the 2024 campaign, eight of those tallies have come within the last 30 minutes of play, and six have come within the last 15 minutes of regulation and stoppage time.
All-Star Recognition
MLS NEXT has announced player selections for the third annual 2024 MLS NEXT All-Star game and Orlando City B midfielder Colin Guske has been named to the East roster. The 17-year-old has been with Orlando City’s academy team since 2021 and signed his first professional contract with Orlando City B in April of this year. Guske traveled with the MLS squad to Mexico before the season and has made 13 appearances for the young Lions, recording a goal and two assists on the campaign. With Guske’s selection, the Lions have been represented in all three iterations of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, joining the ranks of Academy products Favian Loyola and Alejandro Granados, who featured in the 2022 All-Star Game, and Tahir Reid-Brown, who played in last year’s edition.
