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Orlando City B Fight Back on the Road to beat Carolina Core at the Death 3-2

David G.

Courtsey of Orlando City B Communications

Orlando City B made their way up to North Carolina to compete in their first away game of the season. The unique part of this game is that the B team couldn’t pull from their full cast of young first team players due to the first team playing at home later in the day.

Lineup

The lineup for Orlando City B boasts three first team players, the lowest number so far this season. Harvey Sarajian, Gustavo Caraballo, and Justin Ellis all stayed with the B team to keep that attacking force together.

First Half

Orlando City B started off a bit slow and looked disjointed at times during the half. They took a bit to settle in the game but were able to find their feet after about 10 minutes. The offense didn’t seem super connected but individually, Caraballo and Ellis had individual moments to try to create something.

Carolina Core were peppering OCB all half on set pieces, mostly being corners and OCB struggled at times to defend against them. Their defense had some nice moments but it made it more difficult with all the corners they needed to defend.

Eventually the dam would break and Carolina Core would notch their first goal of the half off a short corner by Carolina Core. Juan Rojas showed his lack of professional experience, misjudging a ball that came into the 18 and it was knocked past him. This put the score 0-1 Carolina Core.

I don’t want to take too much away from Juan Rojas though; I felt he was one of the better players for Orlando City B in the first half. He had some nice reflexive saves and distributed well. Another player I want to shout out for OCB is Jaylen Yearwood. His first half was very solid defensively but also potent when he got into the attacking part of the field. He showed every bit of his seasoned play throughout the half.

Caraballo and Ellis had some nice ideas and decent link up play but none of it really came off well for the OCB side. They clearly have a connection but weren’t able to show it off like they wanted. They even tried to get Sarajian involved but his involvements were minimal in the first half.

Second Half

Orlando City B started off the second half a bit better than the first, with a lot more purpose and liveliness. Ellis, Caraballo, and Sarajian were really trying to get involved. Instead of being so right side dominant, the young Lions chose to go more centrally and even at times, down the left to create things.

Unfortunately, their defense would falter again as Carolina Core were able to grab one more goal a few minutes after the half. The defensive marking was poor and Core slipped right by OCB’s defense making it 0-2 Carolina Core.

But Orlando City B would not be denied! The young Lions settled into the game more and made a pair of subs that helped push the team a bit forward. Parker Amoo-Mensah came on to bolster the midfield while Belgodere came on to add life to the forward line.

Shortly after the second sub, Orlando City B pushed the ball forward with pace and Amoo-Mensah was able to square a ball right into the path of Harvey Sarajian who slotted it home making it 1-2.

A few minutes later, OCB would grab another after Sarajian pressed Carolina Core keeper Trevor Jackson who scuffed the ball (and a tip from Sarajian) which fell right to Ellis who slammed it home to tie the match 2-2.

The rest of the match was a pretty dominant affair for Orlando City B, with the squad continuously pushing the ball up the field. Chance after chance was missed until finally in the final minute of stoppage time, Caleb Trombino got to the end of the Gustavo Caraballo set piece, heading the ball into the corner of the net, making it 3-2.

A short time after the ref blew the whistle and ended the game, making it a two-game win streak for the young Lions!

Players to Highlight

  • Harvey Sarajian-He has to lead my list again and I know I sound like a broken record putting him up top but he did it again. Though he had a quiet first half, he still found some ways to get involved. Then in the second half, he was able to break out and really contribute to the team. He not only scored the first goal in the comeback but he also pressed the keeper which caused him to put it to Ellis who was there to get the second. His pressing was clinical and his finishing/movement was even better. Though his passing stats weren’t as great, he did end the match with one goal and one assist (from the press and deflected touch), three chances created, five defensive contributions, two tackles, a block with two recoveries. He was everywhere he needed to be. He has to start getting first team looks soon.
  • Justin Ellis-Ellis takes my second spot and he should. He was dynamic all game, got himself in some great spots, and forced his will on the game. Though he didn’t get on the score sheet until the second half, he still found a way to influence the attacking play. He finally got his goal and probably should have had more. Ellis continues to be red hot after the first three weeks of the year. He ended the game with one goal, two chances created, three defensive contributions, two tackles, and one block/recovery.
  • Jaylen Yearwood-I’m giving some love to my guy Yearwood, who I thought was going to make the first team roster but got an OCB contract instead. In the last two games he’s started, he’s been solid and dangerous getting forward. This game, we saw the best of Yearwood as he got in dangerous spaces in the first half, while also defending but then in the second half was asked to stay back a bit which he also did well.
  • Juan Rojas-The young keeper gets his first professional start and I think he did well considering. He had one or two mistakes that may have cost him (the first goal certainly) but he settled back in quickly and got more confident as the game went on. He had four saves on the night, was accurate passing the ball with 76% of his passes completed, and directed the line well. There were two saves where he really had to reach and he got there.
  • Parker Amoo Mensah/Caleb Trombino-Both young players deserve praise as their actions led to this Orlando City B win. Mensah contributed with an assist and was lively since he came on, causing havoc for Carolina Core. Trombino didn’t get much time but was a large presence in the middle of the park and then got up to get the game winner. I’ve been down on Trombino the first few weeks but he rebounded today! I’d also love to see more of Parker Amoo-Mensah. Every time he gets on, he looks lively.

What’s Next?

Orlando City B take their two-game win streak back home next Sunday, March 22nd as they take on Inter Miami II. The game was moved to the first team stadium, so the boys should have a great venue to take on their rivals. With Orlando City playing the day before, the young first team players who don’t get time with the first team (or very little) could be involved in this one, so expect to see more of the first-team squad involved. I imagine Ellis, Sarajian, and Caraballo will continue to cook with their chemistry.

The young Lions currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference on 6 points and two ins in two. They’ll look to continue that form against a reeling Inter Miami II squad who sit at the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference.

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