Orlando City B (33 pts., 8-6-4) were on the road one more time, this time at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, to take on Chattanooga FC (34 pts., 9-4-5). These teams have met twice before this season, with the last meeting leading to a 5-2 Orlando win while the first match went in favor of Chattanooga 3-1.
Lineup
Orlando City B lined up in a somewhat similar fashion to the previous game, with a few adjustments in defense.
In goal, Juan Rojas got his 5th start of the year, his fourth in a row with Tristan Himes working with the first team. In front of him, his center back pairing remained unchanged with Landon Okonski and recent first-team signee Clovis Archange. At left back, Tahir Reid-Brown started while also wearing the captain’s armband. At right back, Titus Sandy Jr. started while Parker Amoo-Mensah started on the bench.
In midfield, Dylan Judelson and Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez lined up as the two holding midfielders. In front of them was Issah Haruna at attacking midfield with Gustavo Caraballo at right wing and Mathew Belgodere on the left wing. Pedro Leão started up top for OCB in this one.
On the bench: Luan Silva (GK), Parker Amoo-Mensah (DF), Justin Hylton (MF), Brady Kendall (MF), Nicolas Bobea Torres (MF), and Caleb Trombino (MF).
First Half
Orlando City B kicked off this game with their patented long kickoff out of bounds, then putting on the press. They were able to get the ball off the throw in and possess to start the match. They had a quality fast break chance in the 2nd minute but the box got clogged with Chattanooga defenders and it was cleared out. After that opportunity, OCB got pinned back for the next few minutes, with wave after wave of Chattanooga attacks coming their way. Orlando started to go more direct by skipping the midfield line and attempting to get the ball out to their speedy wingers or to Haruna, who could turn in the middle of the pitch. In the 10th minute, OCB was able to move the ball around a bit in Chattanooga’s defensive third but couldn’t find the end product they needed.
Chattanooga was able to get back on the front foot right after that OCB chance, producing a few half chances that couldn’t create a goal for them. The first foul of the game was drawn in the 16th minute after Orlando attempted to play the ball centrally, but were taken down by a Chattanooga defender. Chattanooga got the first shot on goal in the 19th minute after breaking on a counterattack, passing the ball a few times centrally, then their forward hit a curler that was pushed wide by Rojas resulting in a corner. In the 23rd minute, Orlando was able to control the ball and put it up field quickly from a long ball by Archange but Gómez couldn’t control it and it bobbled to the keeper. After that possession, Chattanooga broke up the field and took a shot again from the left side but the ball was deflected out for another corner. OCB was able to break the other way again but this time Haruna was caught just offside and the play was blown dead. The game became very back-and-forth at the moment in the half, with each team getting one quick chance, then the other getting an even quicker one. The pace of the match really ramped up.
In the 28th minute, Rojas came out quickly and claimed the ball after a long ball came in. Right after that, Orlando broke down the field quickly playing it to Haruna who put in a great long ball to Belgodere. Belgodere then put over a good cross that Leão was able to orient his body to get a bit behind it and floated it into the net to put OCB up 1-0. The match also had its first half water break due to the temperatures in the game.
Leão opens the scoring for @OrlandoCityB! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/DjjX7EV2kf
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 18, 2026
The game got a bit chippier after the goal from OCB, with Chattanooga coming out on the ensuing kickoff with some bite. Caraballo got into a one-on-one duel with his counterpart on the other team and both players ended up on the ground. On the following attacking movement, Caraballo took it up the right side and was able to get it into the box but ran into a handful of defenders who dispossessed him. In the 35th minute, Chattanooga played the ball up their left side again and were able to get it to the top of the box on the left side but the ball was shot just wide of the post. In the possession after, Orlando decided to play a bit quick and after a slew of passes, Reid-Brown was able to send the ball towards the left channel where Haruna picked it up and fired near post but the shot was saved.
Chattanooga had a few more chances, with Juan Rojas making two great saves in the 42nd minute to keep Chattanooga off the board. The opposing team put together a few half chances prior to this but then had two great chances that required the young keeper to step up big for his side. After the third save in as many minutes on their end, OCB was able to break with Caraballo leading the charge. Unfortunately, he ran out of room and ran right into two defenders even though he had two teammates to his left. There were a few more half chances but nothing that resulted in a goal chance so both teams went into the half 1-0 in favor of OCB.
Second Half
The second half started with Chattanooga attempting to possess the ball off the kickoff, but it was quickly turned over to OCB. At the break, they made a substitution in an effort to push their full backs up higher on the pitch. After a spell of possession, OCB allowed Chattanooga the ball for a time where they were able to get a few runs up the field but none of them equated to much. While Reid-Brown was trying to defend up field, he ripped a Chattanooga player down, committing a foul while giving Chattanooga a decent spot for a set piece. Nothing came of that chance and on the subsequent chance, Reid-Brown defended the winger physically and forced him out of bounds as well as on the ground.
Chattanooga kept the pressure high on OCB and made it very difficult for the squad to get out of their own half. Every time OCB would break forward, they would run into Chattanooga’s defense and be turned right back. Thankfully, Rojas kept the game pace steady and helped his team stay calm while attempting to control the game. In the 61st minute, they did have a chance to break on the right side but Sandy Jr. put the ball a bit too far forward for Caraballo. Chattanooga had a quality chance off a corner the following minute, but the ball was put wide. Chattanooga decided to make their second sub of the match, putting on a new winger in the hopes of changing the game.
In the 65th minute, OCB got caught on the break while Chattanooga had numbers. The attacker for Chattanooga beat both center backs by shifting play back and forth while also drawing out Rojas and then put the ball out left for his winger to strike it home but the player just missed, hitting the side netting. The game became a bit more fluid in the middle of the park but neither team could really grab ahold of the game. There was a Chattanooga player who went down in the 68th minute which held up the game for a bit.
Orlando City B made their first substitution of the match in the 73rd minute as Parker Amoo-Mensah came on to replace Titus Sandy Jr. OCB continued to defend and in the the 75th minute, Chattanooga played a ball over the top to their attacker who was shielded by Archange with Rojas coming out, but Rojas didn’t come all the way out with the ball getting chipped over him, bringing the score to 1-1.
Louis Jean slips it past the keeper and ties it up for @ChattanoogaFC! 💪 pic.twitter.com/UwjXRMCPIs
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 19, 2026
After the goal, OCB did put their foot on the ball in an effort to try to get a goal back. They weren’t able to put much together allowing Chattanooga to get back on the ball. In the 82nd minute, OCB subbed off Gustavo Caraballo and put on Justin Hylton. In the 84th minute, Chattanooga had some great chances which required a block from OCB’s defense and a save from Rojas. Orlando couldn’t find a way to possess the ball and kept giving the ball back to the opposition. Amoo-Mensah and Gómez were called on often to defend the right side of the pitch. In the 90th minute, Pedro Leão and Nacho Gómez were subbed off with Brady Kendall and Caleb Trombino brought on. There wasn’t much action left towards the end of the half with both teams tied 1-1. The match would then go to a penalty kick shootout. OCB would win the shootout 4-3, with Rojas making 2 saves to allow OCB to get the win.
Players to Highlight
- Juan Rojas – Even though the goal against was due to Rojas not fully committing, he had a great game outside of that. He had 5 saves on the match, a 75% accurate passing rate, and had some really nice throws in his distribution. Without his saves, OCB doesn’t draw this match. He also saved two penalties in the shootout. He continues to be in a rich vein of form after getting another consecutive start.
- Clovis Archange – The new first-team defender was the best defender on the field and really displayed his class in this one. Outside of the miscommunication between him and Rojas, he had a solid game. He ended with a 92% accurate passing rate, 1 accurate long ball, 3 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 interception, 1 recovery, and won all of his ground duels. He got a nice reward in this match for signing his first team deal.
- Pedro Leão – The goalscorer had a very solid match and was all around the box but also dropped into space when needed. Besides the goal, he had a 76% accurate passing rate, 2 shots, 1 clearance, 1 recovery, and won 1 ground duel. He may not have lit up the stat sheet but he was clinical when he needed to be.
Other players to note:
- Mathew Belgodere – The young winger was lively again in this one while also notching his first professional assist. Outside of the assist, he ended with an 83% accurate passing rate, 1 chance created, 1 shot, 2 accurate long balls, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 5 recoveries, won 2 ground duels, and 1 aerial duel. He continues to get better each match and this one, he was vital to helping the team get 2 points.
- Nacho Gómez – The Argentine had done well the last few games but this game he really stepped up for OCB. He was all over the midfield and chipped in where he could. He ended with a 96% accurate passing rate, 2 accurate long balls, 4 tackles, 10 recoveries, and won 4 duels. This was the Nacho Gómez we saw play with the first team and his first few matches with OCB. If he can keep this form up, he’ll be on the first team roster in no time.
What’s Next?
Orlando City B (36 pts., 9-6-4) return home to take on Huntsville City FC (23 pts., 5-6-7) on Sunday, July 26th, at 7 p.m. After this match, OCB will be on the road for another month before returning home in late August. The teams have met twice this season, with each team beating the other while on the road.
Highlights
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