Orlando City B (35 pts., 8-7-4) returned home to face Huntsville City FC (25 pts., 6-5-7). These teams have met twice before this season, with the last meeting ending in a 2-1 win for Orlando City, while the first meeting went in favor of Huntsville, 3-1.
Lineup
Orlando City B stuck with a pretty consistent lineup with a few changes due to international duty. There were two first-team players in the starting 11, with Gustavo Caraballo and Tahir Reid-Brown getting the start for the side. Tristan Himes was on the bench as well from the first team as the backup keeper.
Juan Rojas got another start in goal, looking to extend his run of great form in the last few games. The backline had a few adjustments with Albright Chikamso coming in to start alongside Landon Okonski while Parker Amoo-Mensah returned as the starting right back. On the left side, Tahir Reid-Brown started at left back and wore the captain’s armband.
In midfield, Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez started but this time did so alongside Caleb Trombino. Issah Haruna got the start again at the attacking midfield position.
In attack, Mathew Belgodere lined up at left wing while Gustavo Caraballo lined up at right wing. Pedro Leão started up top as the lone striker in this match.
On the bench: Tristan Himes (GK), Justin Hylton (MF), Brady Kendall (MF), Nicolas Lasheras (DF), Titus Sandy Jr. (DF), and Nicolas Bobea Torres (FW/MF)
First Half
Huntsville City got the match going in this one as they looked to possess early. Huntsville controlled much of the possession early on, with OCB chasing the game a bit. In the 5th minute, Huntsville dribbled through the center of the park with Leão catching the back of a Huntsville player, resulting in a free kick for the opposition and a yellow card for the striker. The free kick went wayward over the bar.
After the free kick, the game got more physical with both sides knocking the other off their game. The game kept going back and forth, with Orlando finally getting forward after they earned a free kick right outside the box in the 12th minute. Belgodere made his defender miss which forced the foul. The free kick was put wide of the right post after a decent take by Amoo-Mensah. OCB had another great chance after Leão worked hard to get the ball, which then was slipped to Haruna, who got it over to Caraballo, but the winger was turned around and forced to reset.
OCB were getting physically pushed off the ball whenever Huntsville could force them off. It led to a fair amount of half-chances for Huntsville with their best coming in the 22nd minute where their fullback was able to get up pitch and take a quick shot that ended up hitting the side net. Both teams had decent chances, with each making a long darting run. It started with Huntsville who had the fullback cut through the center of the field but had his shot stifled before it could go anywhere. On the Orlando side, a ball was played through to Haruna who was able to get to the top of the box but had his shot blocked as well. In the 34th minute, the referee called for a hydration break, giving both sides time to rest but to also calculate their next moves in the half.
Huntsville restarted play and possessed the ball well coming out of the break leading to a stot right at the edge of the area. The shot didn’t have much power on it and ended up going right into Rojas’ hands. OCB was able to break the other way with the ball being switched to the left side from the right, then played through to Haruna who was a few steps offside. In the 41st minute, Huntsville had a chance again, this time the ball was received on the left side of the box and headed down to the fullback for Huntsville who had another shot but it was put wide and out for an OCB throw-in. Following that chance, Amoo-Mensah committed back-to-back fouls while trying to defend the left half-space of Huntsville. He was talked to both times but no card was shown to him. On the resulting free kick, Rojas punched the ball away but the opponents were able to get one more chance but Reid-Brown muscled them off the ball to get it clear.
The match became even chippier in first-half stoppage time with many flying tackles coming in from both sides. Huntsville was able to clear some of those tackles and get a half chance on net but Rojas was wise to their efforts. OCB were able to possess a bit before stoppage time ran out but couldn’t make much of the opportunity. Both teams went into the half 0-0.
Second Half
Orlando City B started with the ball and tried to pin their opposition deep. Huntsville possessed the ball for a bit, but then OCB were able to break with Haruna and Leão darting up the field. Leão was able to cut in centrally and get off a shot but it was blocked wide for a corner. The following action resulted in a cross put wide for a Huntsville goal kick. OCB were able to work a few plays down the right side of the pitch, but Huntsville found a way to get back on the ball. They had two more half chances after getting on the ball but OCB were wise to Huntsville’s advances, clearing the ball each time while also breaking up the field.
Huntsville was able to switch the ball from right to left where the Huntsville striker got on the end of it and fired a hard shot low but Rojas was able to get down for it and block it out for a corner. Following the corner, OCB was able to get the ball clear, with Reid-Brown storming up the field with Leão right in front of him, but the pass was a bit too long as the Huntsville defender caught up to it before Leão did. In the 57th minute, Reid-Brown was able to get on the end of a pass and began dribbling upfield but was taken down by a Huntsville defender with no foul called on the tackle. That allowed Huntsville to break up the field and led to two blocked shots and a save by Rojas to clear the danger.
OCB made their first sub in the 62nd minute with Nacho Gómez coming off while Nicolas Lasheras came on. Orlando really seemed to want to fortify the midfield in the hopes they could grab a goal in a game with very few chances for them. Unfortunately, Huntsville would be the one to strike first. Haruna played a soft ball backwards that allowed Huntsville to combine on the left side with their winger finally passing the ball centrally, and their attacker getting on the end of it. That put Huntsville up 1-0.
Zidane with a clean finish for the @HuntCityFC breakthrough‼️ pic.twitter.com/fzDZLV9uyk
— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) July 27, 2026
Orlando were now forced to put a bit more urgency on the attack since they were down, with a lot more direct balls being played up the pitch as well as both fullbacks pushing up the wings to create more chances. OCB just still seemed to be a step behind their opponents and couldn’t hold onto the ball for very long. The game got a bit heated after that as Reid-Brown shielded the ball out for a corner but was fouled. The Huntsville defender wouldn’t back up so he shoved him back and the Huntsville player went down. Orlando made three more subs after that foul with Titus Sandy Jr., Justin Hylton, and Nicolas Bobea Torres replacing Gustavo Caraballo, Caleb Trombino, and Albright Chikamso in the 70th minute.
The substitutes didn’t take immediate effect for OCB, as they still struggled to claw back into the match. Reid-Brown was really pushing from his left back spot in an attempt to change the game for the young Lions. Lasheras was able to go by his defender but was dragged to the ground as he pulled away. Huntsville picked up a yellow card for the offense and both teams had their hydration break. OCB made one more sub during that break with Brady Kendall coming on for Landon Okonski. OCB was certainly pushing for their game-tying goal with only three defenders staying back while everyone else attacked. The team consistently sent up long balls in hopes that they could get on the end of one of them. Belgodere did have a chance in the 87th minute but his shot just floated into the keeper’s hands and ended up resulting in nothing for OCB. Two no-calls for OCB really summed up the team’s night, as they continued to struggle for that equalizer. OCB received four extra minutes of stoppage time to even things up but they weren’t able to find the goal. The match ended 1-0 in favor of Huntsville City.
Players to Highlight
- Pedro Leão – The Brazilian striker didn’t have the most productive night but he was lively from start to finish. He played the full 90 in this one while also finishing with a 77% passing rate, 1 shot, 2 successful dribbles, 2 accurate long balls, 4 tackles, 1 recovery, 6 ground duels won, and 100% on his aerial duels. He did also pick up a yellow card early in this one so he had to be careful for much of the match.
- Juan Rojas- The young keeper had another good match in this one even though he allowed one through. He made 3 saves, finished with an 83% accurate passing rate, 4 accurate long balls, and 10 recoveries. There wasn’t much more he could do in this one.
- Albright Chikamso – The young defender started off a bit shaky but settled into the game well. He formed a good partnership with Okonski and passed well throughout the match. The center back played 70 minutes, finished with a 96% passing rate, 1 accurate long ball, 1 tackle, 1 block, 1 clearance, 1 interception, 2 recoveries, and won all of his duels on the night. A good game for him and one that will certainly continue his growth.
Other players to note:
- Tahir Reid-Brown – The young fullback had a solid night and was really pushing at the end of the match to try to find that tying goal. He played the full 90 while also finishing with an 85% passing rate, 1 accurate long ball, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 interception, 6 recoveries, 33% ground duels won, and 67% aerial duels won.
What’s Next?
Orlando City B (35 pts., 8-7-5) goes back on the road on Saturday, August 1, at 7:00 p.m. to take on Connecticut United (28 pts., 8-2-8). OCB will be on the road for a month as they continue to push for the playoffs and a top-3 spot in the eastern conference.
Highlights
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