Loud & Proud Orlando

Lineup

The lineup was strong again for OCB, this time boasting a starting XI with 4 first team players in Tahir Reid-Brown, Colin Guske, Harvey Sarajian, and Gustavo Caraballo. Reid-Brown and Guske were the two center backs for the team while Bernardo Rhein and Parker Amoo-Mensah lined up at fullback. Luca Maxim, the 18 year old keeper made his first start for OCB in this one. Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez and Dylan Judelson took up the midfield again with Issah Haruna right in front of them in the “10” spot. Sarajian and Caraballo were on the wings while Pedro Leáo was up top for the squad.

Note: according to sources, Tristan Himes and Juan Rojas did not play due to injury. The club is hopeful they will both be back soon.

First Half

The first half started out strong for Orlando City B, as they were pushing from the start of the game. As early as the 2nd minute they were causing issues. At that time in the game, Sarajian took a long pass from Haruna while he was out left and he was able to put a shot on net that was just pushed wide by Atlanta’s keeper. A few moments later in the 9th minute, Sarajian got a ball down the left side line from Rhein and powered his way into the opponents box where he was eventually taken down in the penalty area, drawing a penalty kick. Caraballo stepped up and put in a paneka to put the young Lions up 1-0.

Panenka perfection 🤌 pic.twitter.com/PFFRlUW9bl

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 10, 2026

Shortly after the goal, Sarajian had another chance down the left side where he muscled past his defender and drew a corner. After that moment, Atlanta would start to turn the tide a bit, forcing Maxim to make a save and a few defensive stops for OCB. In the 12th minute, Guske misplayed a ball that fell to an Atlanta attacker but Maxim was able to get his hand on it and send it wide. Reid-Brown would put in two quality plays on the next two Atlanta attacks by making a block on the striker for Atlanta and making a great slide tackle on the left side of the field to stop a promising attack.

Atlanta would keep the pressure on, forcing a yellow card for Leáo (while he was defending on the left side) and Amoo-Mensah getting bodied off the ball on the right side of the pitch which lead to a shot that went wide for Atlanta. Maxim would make another save in the 32nd and in the 36th, really showing off his athletic ability. He did get some help from Ammo-Mensah who had a block as well in that span.

OCB got back on the front foot around the 38th minute, in a moment where Sarajian was able to slip a ball through to Haruna who was able to slot it home but he was called offside. In the replay you could see he was slightly off but it was a tough angle. While the half was winding down, Sarajian got one more chance in stoppage time as he stole the ball from the defender and shot it on net but the ball bounced off the post and away from danger. The young Lions went into half up 1-0.

Second Half

Orlando City B started strong to start the half, pressing hard and pushing the ball forward as much as they could. Sarajian and Caraballo were the focal points of the attack, having a few chances early. The best chance came from Caraballo in the 49th minute where he made two guys miss but was then pushed out for a goal kick before he could get a shot or pass off.

A few minutes later, in the 53rd minute, Atlanta had a great chance coming up the left side of the defense but their shot was off target. They continued to pepper that left side as Rhein struggled a bit to keep the Atlanta attackers out of the box. Amoo-Mensah was asked again to block a shot a minute later and then right after that Atlanta had a shot on the right side of the box but put it wide. The defense for OCB was struggling to keep Atlanta off the ball.

OCB finally got going after a save from Maxim in the 60th minute which led to a chance for Sarajian on the other side of the field where he was able to put a shot on next but Atlanta’s keeper pushed it wide of the net. OCB did have a corner shortly after and another chance down the left side but neither could result in a clear chance. In the 63rd minute, Sarajian went on another slaloming run beating two Atlanta defenders and squared it to Leão but he couldn’t put it on net. OCB would have two more chances up the left side of the pitch with Haruna, Leão, and Sarajian all getting involved on those two chances but the ball kept skipping off some OCB boots. In the 69th minute, Sarajian forces the Atlanta defender Chica to slide in dangerously who picks up a second yellow and is sent off bringing Atlanta United II down to 10 men. It also forced Atlanta’s hand where they made 3 changes to help support the team. Shortly after going up a man, Haruna got a quality ball from Sarajian and put it home far post to put OCB up 2-0.

That’s back-to-back games for Issah 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/LQA9Edrs3K

— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) May 11, 2026

In the 76th minute, 3 of the 4 first team players (Guske, Reid-Brown, and Sarajian) came off after putting in a great shift for the squad. This most likely was done to have them ready and rested for the congested first team schedule coming up this week. Titus Sandy Jr, Curtis Archange, and Matthew Belgodere came on for the 3 first team players. They would keep the pressure on and have a handful of chances, it would also let OCB make another change where Jaylen Yearwood came on for Parker Amoo-Mensah.

The game got a bit back and forth for both teams, as both set of subs were trying to find their way into the game. Atlanta had more of the attacking chances and really forced both Sandy Jr and Archange to defend strong. Haruna was subbed out for Jacob Rodriguez capping off a great game but Atlanta also had their best chance in the 87th minute where they struck the bottom of the crossbar but the ball bounced out.

The young Lions would play keep away for the remainder of the half, with neither side creating many real chances as the game wound down. They would take the victory 2-0 vs. Atlanta United II.

Players to Highlight

• Harvey Sarajian-Harvey had another quality game for OCB as he continues to rack up great performances for the young Lions. He was all over the left flank for OCB and even came in centrally to change the game a bit. He ended with some great stats again and extended his goal contribution streak with OCB. His stats were 1 assist, 75% passing rate, 1 chance created, won a penalty, 2 shots on target, 3 successful dribbles, 3 long balls, 2 tackles, 5 recoveries, and won 7 of his ground duels. He’s got to eventually get more looks with the first team with his consistency.
• Issah Haruna-Haruna was a live wire all game and really took it to Atlanta United II. He lined up in the “10” spot for OCB and he consistently pushed the ball forward. He ended the match with 1 goal, an 83% passing rate, 1 chance created, 1 shot on target (had a second called offside), 1 successful dribble, 1 long ball, 2 tackles, 1 block, 5 recoveries, and 3 ground duels won. He seems to have grabbed that starting attacking midfield spot and I’m happy he did. He has some growing to do but he’s off to a great start.
• Gustavo Caraballo-Caraballo was able to make things happen on the right side and not as much as he has in games past but he still found a way to wreak havoc. He had the penalty goal early in the match but also had a few chances throughout the contest. He ended the game with a goal, a 75% passing rate, 1 shot on target, 1 successful dribble, 5 long balls (100% for long balls completed), 3 recoveries, and won 3 ground duels. Caraballo is another player who is making the case for seeing first team minutes but has been able to break through this season. If he keeps going, the first team coaching staff have to look at him for at least sub appearances.
• Luca Maxim-Maxim had one of the best keeper performances of the MLS Next Pro season and I’m not exaggerating when I say that. He not only kept a clean sheet but he made a few crucial saves and was really aggressive in patrolling his box. He ended with 3 saves, 8 recoveries, and 2 clearances. Maxim is heading off to Georgia Southern in the fall but I wouldn’t be upset if he got some more looks in net before he went.

Other players to note:

• Tahir Reid-Brown-Tahir had a quality game and I thought was the better starting center back for OCB. He seemed much more calm in this match compared to his Inter Miami II match and really led the back line all match. He ended with an 82% passing rate, 1 long ball, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, a recovery, and won all his aerial duels. He seems to have some positional flexibility and I like that for him as he isn’t getting a ton of looks at left back for the first team.
• Colin Guske-Guske had some nervy moments in the match but he settled down as the game went on and put in a quality performance in the back line. He was quick to snuff out attacks and played well mentally. He ended with an 80% passing rate, 1 successful dribble, 1 long ball, 2 tackles, 1 block, 1 clearance, 5 interceptions, 1 recovery, and won all of his ground duels. I still don’t love him as a center back but if the team ever wanted to use a sweeper role, I could see him being very good there.

What’s Next?

Orlando City B (16 pts., 3-4-2) continue on the road to New England this time, to take on New England Revolution II (14 pts., 3-3-2) on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00pm. New England Revolution II are currently in 8th place and should be a beatable opponent for OCB. New England Revolution II also play midweek so that should help out the young Lions. This unlikely to be a match where we see many first team players as the first team has a congested schedule the next two weeks.

Highlights