KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2024) – Orlando City B (11-7-9, 46 points) scored three second-half goals in a 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC II (9-8-9, 41 points) at Osceola County Stadium on Monday night. The win, coupled with Chattanooga FC earning only two points on Saturday night, secured a playoff spot for the Lions for the second consecutive season. OCB finishes off its 2024 regular-season home schedule on a six-game unbeaten streak.
After a scoreless first half, forward Jack Lynn scored the game-winning goal on a feed from defender Alex Freeman. Lynn has scored in the last three OCB matches and Freeman picked up his first of two assists in the match.
Coming in as a second-half substitute, forward Yutaro Tsukada added an insurance goal in the 71st minute. Tsukada picked up his seventh goal of the season and first since Aug. 23 against Atlanta United 2. Favian Loyola added to the Lions’ tally with his third goal of the season off Freeman’s second assist of the night.
Goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made five saves and recorded his second-consecutive clean sheet and third of the 2024 season.
The Lions have a week off before they conclude the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season when they visit TQL Stadium to take on the top team in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati II, on Sunday, October 6. That match will kick off at 1 p.m. ET and can be seen on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Scoring Summary:
61’ Jack Lynn (Alex Freeman) – ORL 1, CHI 0
After a scoreless first half, the young Lions struck first thanks to last year’s MLS NEXT Pro MVP. Forward Yeiler Valencia led Luca Petrasso behind the Chicago back line before sending a cross to the opposite side of the net to Alex Freeman. Freeman’s header was directed towards Jack Lynn who finished off the play with a header.
71’ Yutaro Tsukada (Jack Lynn) – ORL 2, CHI 0
Just 10 minutes later, OCB doubled its lead. After a throw in, Lynn took control of the ball near midfield and sent a long pass up to second-half substitute Yutaro Tsukada. Tsukada dropped off two Chicago defenders and hit a strike from outside the box past the goalkeeper.
88’ Favian Loyola (Alex Freeman) – ORL 3, CHI 0
The young Lions added another insurance goal from another second-half substitute late in the match. After taking control on the right wing in the Chicago defensive zone, Freeman gave a short pass to Favian Loyola. Loyola took a quick touch and drilled a shot from outside the box for his third goal of the 2024 season.
Match Notes:
- Forward Yeiler Valencia made his fifth start of the 2024 season and first since July 7 against Carolina Core FC.
- Forward Jack Lynn scored his third goal of the 2024 season. He’s scored in the Lions’ last three matches.
- Defender Alex Freeman added to his team-leading assist tally, recording his eighth and ninth of the season on the Lynn game-winning goal. Freeman is also tied for second in assists in MLS NEXT Pro.
- Coming in as a second-half substitute, forward Yutaro Tsukada scored his eighth goal of the season.
- Lynn recorded his first assist of the 2024 season on the Tsukada finish.
- Forward Favian Loyola scored his third goal of the 2024 season and first since June 26 against Atlanta United 2.
- Orlando City B clinched a spot in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for the second-consecutive season.
- The young Lions matched last season’s point total (46), the most in a single season since joining MLS NEXT Pro.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against New England Revolution II with Colin Guske and Yeiler Valencia entering the starting XI.
