Orlando City B (28 pts., 7-4-3) hosted Philadelphia Union II (18 pts., 5-2-7) in their first matchup of the year. OCB returned home after a short away trip to Huntsville the prior week.
Lineup
Orlando City B made a few adjustments to their lineup against Philadelphia Union II.
Tristan Himes continued to get the start in net with an almost unchanged backline, except Landon Okonski came in for Titus Sandy Jr. at the center back spot.
Dylan Judelson returned from international duty and took the second central midfield spot next to Ignacio “Nacho” Gomez.
In the attacking spots, Justin Hylton continued to start in the attacking midfield spot, with Issah Haruna on the right wing and Mathew Belgodere on the left wing. Pedro Leão returned and took his spot up top.
Harvey Sarajian, Clovis Archange, and Gustavo Caraballo were all absent from this game and not in the squad.
First Half
Orlando City B started off the half strong, really finding a way to influence the game in their favor. Belgodere started the attacking pressure in the 2nd minute, by making a run through the left side of the pitch, making two defenders miss but went down with no call. Shortly after, OCB had its best defense sequence of the half, when Okonski blocked the ball just outside the box but was forced into service again and blocks the ball near post on the left side.
Shortly after, Orlando has three straight opportunities on goal, with three shots that get blocked out. Gómez had two quality chances sandwiched around a chance by Hylton. In the 17th minute, Belgodere created another chance down the left side centering it to Hylton who scuffed it wide right. OCB gave Union II another series of chances after Okonski was called for a soft foul that resulted in a yellow card. During the following free kick, Union II had the shot deflected wide. Following that chance for Union II, OCB broke again, but Leão put his header just wide.
After those chances, Philadelphia picked up two yellow cards, one in the 27th minute and the other in the 34th minute. OCB were relentless in their passing and dribbling, frustrating their opponent. Belgodere, Haruna, Leão, and Hylton all had chances in the next few minutes but couldn’t find a way to get the ball in the net. Philadelphia would have one more chance before halftime but the attacker was chased down forcing a shot wide. Right before the whistle blew for halftime, OCB had one more attack to Leão who put it wide, taking both teams into the half 0-0.
Second Half
The second half started off with both teams being a bit more lively compared to the start of the match. Union II were really trying to find a way to jump on OCB early to grab a goal. However, after 5 minutes Orlando found a way to settle down. There were some moments where Union II went down easily, slowing the game down. Philadelphia did have a handful of half chances in Orlando’s end but nothing came from them outside a corner kick and a wayward shot.
In the 55th minute, Belgodere went on a great run down the left making a several defenders miss but was taken down in the box again, with no call. Union II then streaked down the field on the right, isolating Chikamso 1 v 1 who was beaten inside and the Philadelphia attacker curled the ball towards the back post past a diving Himes, who saw the ball late; that put Union II up 1-0.
Eddy Davis picks out the bottom corner to put @PhilaUnionII in front 🎯 pic.twitter.com/g5uMFKmZL5
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 22, 2026
OCB didn’t get down on themselves, following a Leão yellow card as well, they pushed up into the Philadelphia half and created a few half chances that were continued to be blocked away. Belgodere continued to create chances on the left side, while OCB also looked to get Haruna and Gómez involved in the center of the field. In the 63rd minute Union II almost poured on a second one with a lofting cross from the right side that found the head of an attacker who’s header hit the crossbar and bounced out. A few minutes later, Union II had another clear shot after winning a second ball off a switch, with the ball just missing the bar wide.
OCB made two changes in the 68th minute, putting on Titus Sandy Jr. and Nico Torres in the hope they could change the game. Right after they came on, Orlando had a chance on the end line that was played across the box. On the following possession, Union II had a breakaway that sent the striker in but he skied it over the bar. A few moments later, Philadelphia forced Himes to make another save to his left, pushing the ball toward the corner flag with a Philadelphia player forcing it wide.
After the second half water break, Orlando made a substitution, taking off Gómez and bringing on Brady Kendall. Union II continued to put the pressure on with a cross from the left side finding the head of an unmarked attacker who headed the ball in the far corner putting Union II up 2-0.
Like a good neighbor, Theo Reed is there 🎵
An insurance goal for @PhilaUnionII! pic.twitter.com/OPrZqohdzp
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) June 22, 2026
OCB looked to try and get one back quickly, getting a quality shot off in the 83rd minute off a Haruna shot that was saved by the Philadelphia keeper. OCB continued to fight and clawed one back in second half stoppage time after the ball fell to Rhein who was able to power the ball home and put the score at 2-1.
Perfectly placed 🎯 pic.twitter.com/86ZC1NWU1N
— Orlando City B (@OrlandoCityB) June 22, 2026
There wasn’t much time left after that and the game closed with Philadelphia Union II winning 2-1, snapping OCB’s winning streak.
Players to Highlight
- Mathew Belgodere-This young rising star put together another quality game for OCB and deserves recognition after this performance. He was all over the left side of the field and was making players miss all night. Aside from the fact that he didn’t score a goal, this was his best performance of the season by far. He ended with an 80% accurate passing rate, 2 chances created, 4 shots, 7 successful dribbles, 1 accurate cross, 1 interception, 4 recoveries, and won 7 ground duels. If you aren’t watching the 16-year-old, you should be, he’s a name to watch.
- Issah Haruna-The other winger in this one, Haruna, also had a solid game. He wasn’t as explosive compared to Belgodere but his passing and combination play were very good. He ended with a 93% accurate passing rate, 2 chances created, 3 shots, 4 successful dribbles, 1 accurate long ball, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 3 recoveries, and 7 ground duels won. Haruna can play a bunch of different spots and he’s been able to display that this season.
- Bernardo Rhein-Rhein scored the only goal for OCB on the night but he was solid outside of the goal. He ended with one goal, an 82% accurate passing rate, 2 chances created, 2 shots, 2 accurate crosses, 1 accurate long ball, 3 tackles, 6 recoveries, and won 4 ground duels. Bernardo keeps displaying his quality and his skill set seems to fit what the first team runs out now on the left side.
Other players to note;
- Dylan Judelson-The central midfielder made his return after being with the Canadian youth national team and it was great to see him back on the pitch. He brought stability to the middle of the park and created the most chances for the team while also recording the most touches. He ended the night with an 89% accurate passing rate, 5 chances created, 1 shot, 11 accurate long balls, 2 tackles, 1 block, 1 interception, 7 recoveries, and won 4 ground duels. I love seeing him on the pitch for OCB and I hope he can continue to string together more quality starts to get into the first team conversation.
What’s Next?
Orlando City B (28 pts., 7-4-4) stays at home for their next matchup as they host fellow MLS II team, Columbus Crew II (32 pts., 9-3-4). This would be their first meeting on the year, so OCB will be looking to make an impactful impression on the Columbus side. Last season, the teams spilt the two games as each team that was home won their respective match.
Highlights
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