Orlando City B (29 pts., 7-5-4) traveled to Crown Legacy FC (32 pts., 8-5-2). This was the second meeting between both teams, with the first meeting coming in May where Crown Legacy won in penalty kicks.
Lineup
Orlando City B changed up their lineup just a bit in this one with Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez getting the start in midfield while Mathew Belgodere headed to the bench.
Juan Rojas got another start after starting last week for the young Lions. Tristan Himes doesn’t appear in the match day squad for this one. The same backline of Bernardo Rhein, Clovis Archange, Titus Sandy Jr., and Parker Amoo-Mensah line up in front of Rojas.
Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez lines up next to Dylan Judelson in the midfield and are flanked by Harvey Sarajian on the left wing, Gustavo Caraballo lined up on the right wing.
In attack, Issah Haruna plays the attacking midfield spot and Pedro Leão played up top at striker.
Players on the bench: Landon Okonski (DF), Albright Chikamso (DF), Luca Maxim (GK), Caleb Trombino (MF), Matthew Belgodere (FW), Nicolas Bobea Torres (MF), and Justin Hylton (MF).
First Half
Orlando City B and Crown Legacy traded possession to start the game with both teams having a few half chances to start the half. However, in the 7th minute, Sarajian received a ball from the left wing and had a shot that went just wide to the left of the post. It was an open look but he couldn’t square the ball in time to put it in. There were a pair of half chances for OCB as Sarajian got the ball on the left but ran out of room before he could shoot. On another chance, the ball was played a bit long to Leão who couldn’t get a great touch on it. In the 14th minute, Haruna put Leão in on goal where he rounded the keeper but was pushed a bit too wide and his shot dinked off the post. After that chance, Crown Legacy really forced the game in OCB’s half. They had their best chance in the 19th minute where the ball was crossed in and bounced around the box until Orlando cleared.
After a few failed half chances for the opponent, OCB had a few moments of sustained possession with a few Crown Legacy attacks tossed in. However, OCB dealt with those with ease and continued to find ways to get on the ball. In the 24th minute, OCB had a scare where Crown got behind the back line of OCB and was able to fire a shot that glanced past the box due to the tight angle. A minute later, Crown broke through the line again but this time the attacker put it wide while he was 1 on 1 with the keeper. In the 28th minute, Archange gave the ball away on an errant pass and it forced Rojas to make a save near post to prevent a goal.
The game went a bit more back-and-forth, with OCB getting some half chances down the right-hand side. In the 33rd minute, Caraballo was able to beat his man to the end line and cross it into the box but there was nobody from Orlando there and the ball trickled out harmlessly for Crown. Orlando got another chance a few minutes later, pushing the ball quickly upfield and forcing Crown to put the ball out for a corner. On the resulting corner, the young Lions decided to go short but the cross couldn’t find an OCB head. Sarajian was able to get the ball on the following possession and put it across the box but Gómez sliced it wide as it missed the target. In the 44th minute, Sarajian was able to get the ball out wide on the left and cut it into the box. He had a shot but it was blocked on its way in and Crown Legacy took possession. The half would end 0-0 with neither side breaking the deadlock.
Second Half
Both teams decided to stay with their current lineups heading into the start of the second half. OCB were able to get on the ball quickly at the start of the half but had some wasteful possession shortly after. In the 48th minute, OCB was able to get Caraballo the ball who was able to cut to the top of the box where he had a shot but it was deflected wide for a corner. After the team was forced to recover the ball, they went up the left side again where Caraballo attempted a shot at the near post but the keeper kept the ball out. The possession switched sides throughout the next phase of the game with Orlando City B finding ways to stay on the ball more often in an attempt to create chances. In the 55th minute, Leão was able to receive the ball at the top of the box and had a shot but it was deflected again but this time rolled out for a corner. The corner was then put over everyone and landed on the far side of the box.
OCB picked up their first yellow card in the 57th minute, when Archange fouled a Crown Legacy player while in transition. It was a smart foul to slow Legacy down, but put Archange on notice for the remainder of the match. Minutes later, OCB was caught out again, this time Sarajian coming over to make a tackle but bulled over his opponent to stop the attack and giving Legacy a free kick. In the 65th minute, Legacy find a way to break through after they had a cross blocked that fell to another attacker. Amoo-Mensah gave his man too much space and was able to knock it in past him. That put Legacy up 1-0.
Berchimas pounces on the loose ball to put @crownlegacyfc in front 👑 pic.twitter.com/mqgEn8K0Kn
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 6, 2026
Orlando City B made two subs after the goal with Leão and Gómez off for Hylton and Belgodere. OCB didn’t waste any time to get on the board themselves as they played a short corner where Caraballo and Amoo-Mensah played a few balls to each other then Amoo-Mensah played it to Judelson who slotted it in the left corner making it 1-1.
Set piece perfection from @OrlandoCityB 🎨
Judelson finishes the move to pull the visitors level! pic.twitter.com/0TspuWyYel
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 6, 2026
OCB didn’t stop there as they were able to move the ball quickly upfield where Hylton played the ball to Haruna who got in behind Crown Legacy but he shot the ball just wide. Crown Legacy was able to get a few half chances going the other way but nothing really tested them. Amoo-Mensah was able to get a shot off in the 76th minute that was on target but blocked again as it made its way in. A few moments later, Judelson made a tackle to stop Crown Legacy’s attack but he got a bit too much of his opponent. The Crown player remained down for a few moments until he was finally helped off. After the reset, OCB was able to keep possession and have a few half chances. Caraballo took a weak-footed right-footed shot that was gobbled up by the keeper. While the ball was being played out, Sarajian pressed the keeper and was able to block it when it came off his foot but the block hit the post and bounced out for a goal kick. Belgodere and Haruna combined on a counterattack, putting the ball forward for Sarajian but it was a bit too far for him to get on the end of it.
OCB would make one more sub after that stretch with Caraballo coming off and Torres coming on in an attempt to spark the attack. OCB was able to feed the ball down the left side and got it up to Belgodere who got into the box and took a shot but it was saved out to the right side of the field. In second half stoppage time, Crown Legacy did have an opportunity off a free kick where the ball was put into the middle of the box. Rojas was able to come out and get his hand on it but was fouled when he tried to control it. OCB had one more chance before full time, where Hylton put a shot on net but the ball trickled to the Crown Legacy keeper who comfortably saved it. The game would end 1-1 in full time, moving into a penalty-kick shoot out. OCB would fall in the shoot out as two of their takers would have their penalties saved (Rhein and Judelson).
Players to Highlight
- Parker Amoo-Mensah-The young right back was up and down the right side for the entire night, with his passing being quality for the team. He not only recorded an assist but he ended the night with an 80% passing rate (on 50 attempted passes), 3 chances created, 1 shot, 3 accurate long balls, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 interception, 5 recoveries, 4 ground duels won, and 1 aerial duel won. He continues to show his class each game and gets better as time goes on.
- Dylan Judelson-The midfielder not only had the game-tying goal but he also was the metronome in the middle of the park. He had his one goal, ended with a 96% accurate passing rate, 1 shot, 1 successful dribble, 5 accurate long balls, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 recoveries, and 5 ground duels won. He was dribbled past 3 times in this match so not a great showing when it came to containing attackers. He also took a penalty that was easily saved by the Crown Legacy keeper. Though he was overrun a bit in the middle at times, he still put together a good game and helped OCB stay in the match.
- Issah Haruna-Haruna played a few different positions for OCB on the night but he did well to help the team any way he could. In the first part of the game, he got forward often and combined with multiple players to make chances for OCB. He ended playing the full match, ending with a 75% accurate passing rate, 2 chances created, a shot, 1 successful dribble, 2 tackles, 5 recoveries, and 4 ground duels won. He was a great piece in the middle of the park, regardless of the position he was playing.
Other players to mention:
- Juan Rojas-I want to give Rojas some credit as he played another solid game for OCB. He only conceded 1 goal and had 2 saves on the night. His distribution was solid all night and he directed the backline well when they got disorganized. I’m excited to see him get more time with Himes spending time with the first team.
- Mathew Belgodere-The young winger was a spark off the bench for OCB on the night and while he only played 23 minutes, they were very influential. He ended with a 92% accurate passing rate, 1 shot, 1 interception, and 2 recoveries. He’s a great bench piece at the moment but don’t be shocked if he finds a way to break through into the starting lineup.
What’s Next?
Orlando City B (30 pts., 7-6-4) travel to Cincinnati to take on FC Cincinnati II (14 pts., 4-1-11). This is the first meeting between the two teams this season with last year’s meeting going in favor of FC Cincinnati II.
Highlights
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