Loud & Proud Orlando

Orlando City B (41 pts., 10-7-9) came home to take on Toronto FC II (39 pts., 11-4-11). This was the first meeting of the year for these two teams. They both met last year in June where TFC II won 2-1.

Lineup

Orlando City B made no adjustments in this one as they looked to continue their push toward the playoffs.

Tristan Himes continued as the goalkeeper and captain, while the back line remained the same, with Clovis Archange at left-back, Nolan Miller at left center-back, Landon Okonski at right center-back, and Parker Amoo-Mensah at right-back.

In midfield, Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez played in a double pivot with Justin Hylton. Gustavo Caraballo started in the attacking midfield position.

In attack, Harvey Sarajian rejoined OCB again after his exciting match the day prior and started on the left wing, while Issah Haruna started on the right. Pedro Leão started up top again for Orlando City B.

On the bench: Juan Rojas (GK), Titus Sandy Jr. (DF), Caleb Trombino (MF), Nicolas Lasheras (MF), Brady Kendall (MF), Nicolas Bobea Torres (MF/FW), and Mathew Belgodere (FW).

First Half

The first half got off to a wild start, with FTC picking up a yellow card in the first minute after a hard tackle by Sloane. A few minutes later, Orlando was able to create the first real chance of the match, with Caraballo getting on the counter and getting the ball to the left to Sarajian, who pushed it wide.

Nolan Miller picked up a yellow in the eighth minute, and things continued to get more physical as the half went on. Himes then came up with a huge save in the 12th minute, with FTC getting a penalty after a foul inside the box. Himes stood tall and kept Orlando in the game.

Caraballo and Sarajian tried to combine to put a chance together in the back in the 16th minute, but the FTC defense was able to break it up. Orlando really started to get on the front foot after that, controlling the ball and moving it around well. In the 22nd minute, OCB had a great chance when Haruna played a ball toward the middle of the box, but it was cut out before Orlando could get a shot away.

Just over 30 minutes in, Caraballo received the ball and tried to find Sarajian, who was making a run down the left. Orlando continued to pressure FTC, and in the 32nd minute, the Lions finally found the breakthrough. Haruna got the ball into Gómez, who was streaking toward the middle of the box, and Gómez calmly finished the chance to give Orlando a 1-0 lead.

Gómez slides it past the keeper and @OrlandoCityB take the lead at home! 👏 pic.twitter.com/1XYFx7uCqz

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) September 13, 2026

OCB continued to push after taking the lead, and the pressure paid off again in the 36th minute. Haruna won the ball back in the middle before playing it forward, allowing OCB to break toward the goal. Caraballo eventually found the ball and took it all the way to the opponents’ box before cutting inside and burying his shot into the left corner to make it 2-0.

Delgado slots it home from the top of the box! 🎯

2-0 @OrlandoCityB pic.twitter.com/jooXMmGbIX

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) September 13, 2026

At that point, OCB was firmly in control of the match. Orlando did well to keep FTC from creating much of anything while continuing to find opportunities going forward. The Lions headed into halftime with a 2-0 lead after a strong finish to the opening 45 minutes.

Second Half

Toronto FC II kicked off the second half and played aggressively up the field, committing a foul on the far side within seconds of the restart. A minute later, Sarajian and Leão went flying up the field. Sarajian initially beat his man but was forced off balance and ended up tackling the defender. OCB had another chance moments later through Sarajian, who squared the ball to Caraballo. Caraballo moved it on to Haruna, whose shot was blocked. Orlando didn’t face much pressure at the start of the second half and found ways to retain possession while dictating the play. The referee became heavily involved in the game, causing too much disruption to the proceedings. He had an exchange with Sarajian and Caraballo that forced the game to slow down, going face-to-face with both players.

Miller came out a bit too far in the 54th minute, allowing Toronto to have a free run at goal. However, Himes stood tall and saved the weak shot from the TFC II attacker, who stumbled during the play. TFC II kept the ball in the attacking half and sent a dangerous cross through the box a minute later, but no one was able to get on the end of it. Orlando broke the other way following the mishit corner, with Leão drawing a foul during the buildup. From the restart, Hylton got the ball to Haruna, who unleashed a powerful shot that was deflected wide. From the ensuing corner, Orlando worked the ball around and crossed it to the back post, where Okonski headed it down, but the goalkeeper pushed it just wide. Toronto tried to move the ball up the field quickly, but OCB recovered possession and found Haruna in the middle of the field. Haruna then sent the ball out left to Sarajian, who moved wide to create space before putting it home to make it 3-0.

Sarajian fires it home and @OrlandoCityB has three! 👏 pic.twitter.com/MVlOmaHYwW

— MLS NEXT Pro (@MLSNEXTPRO) September 14, 2026

Toronto applied some pressure after the third goal, but OCB’s defense stood strong as the Lions continued to clear wave after wave of attacks heading toward their net. OCB made its first substitution in the 66th minute, with Gustavo Caraballo coming off and Mathew Belgodere coming on. Belgodere immediately got on the ball and made an impact from the moment he entered the match. He helped create a quality half-chance that Orlando was unable to finish. In the 69th minute, Toronto FC II made three substitutions, replacing Lucas Dawson, Jahmarie Nolan and Gabriel Mikina with Raequan Campbell-Dennis, Dékwon Barrow and Elias Khodri. The substitutes gave TFC II some much-needed life as the visitors continued to pepper the OCB goal. Himes was called upon to make a fantastic two-save sequence that preserved the shutout. It capped off a stellar night for Himes, who commanded his 18-yard box throughout the match.

The second-half hydration break occurred immediately after Himes made the second save of the sequence while being fouled in the process. Orlando made two substitutions during the break, with Harvey Sarajian and Pedro Leão coming off for Brady Kendall and Nicolas Lasheras as the team looked to close out the game. In the 81st minute, OCB created a quality chance after Gómez and Haruna cleverly worked the ball up the pitch. The ball fell to Kendall, who attempted a shot, but it trickled wide. TFC II then made its final substitutions, replacing Damar Dixon and Richard Chukwu with Daniel Stampatori and Micah Chisholm.

At this point in the match, TFC II was throwing everything forward. The visitors forced a costly error from Himes, who went through the back of an attacker while trying to reach the ball but failed to make contact with it. Khodri stepped up to the penalty spot and converted to make it 3-1 in the 85th minute. Toronto continued to pour on the pressure, coming close again in the 87th minute and putting OCB on its heels. Orlando struggled to regain possession and hold the ball long enough to relieve some of the pressure. In the 88th minute, TFC II created its best chance of the closing stretch, but Himes came up with another big save. OCB made its final two substitutions in the 89th minute, with Issah Haruna and Justin Hylton coming off for Caleb Trombino and Nicolas Bobea Torres. The referee indicated that there would be a lengthy period of stoppage time, with seven minutes put on the board—a sight OCB did not want to see after defending constantly during the final 10 minutes. Orlando was able to see out the game following those substitutions and secured a crucial 3-1 victory.

Players to Highlight

• Issaah Haruna— Haruna had another stellar night, and while there were moments when he disappeared, he made up for them in the end. He recorded 2 assists and finished with a 90% pass-completion rate, 4 chances created, a 100% dribble-success rate, 1 clearance, 1 interception and 1 recovery. He also won 80% of his ground duels. What more can I say about the guy? He continues to perform well in every position he plays for OCB.
• Ignacio “Nacho” Gómez— Nacho was all over the pitch in this one and deserves a lot of credit for his performance. He not only scored OCB’s first goal but also finished with an 84% pass-completion rate, 1 chance created, 2 shots, a 100% dribble-success rate, 4 tackles, 2 clearances and 7 recoveries. He also won 70% of his ground duels. He has played very well down the stretch and will be vital to OCB’s efforts to make the playoffs and put together a postseason run.
• Harvey Sarajian— He has had a heck of a weekend, and it got even better on Sunday night. He recorded 1 goal and 1 assist while finishing with a 78% pass-completion rate, 1 chance created, 2 shots, a 100% dribble-success rate, 1 clearance and 4 recoveries. Onward and upward for Harvey as he looks to earn more playing time with both teams.

Other Players to Highlight:

• Tristan Himes— I want to give Himes a ton of credit for his performance because he was stellar for most of the match. He conceded the penalty kick that led to Toronto’s lone goal, but that shouldn’t define his night. He still finished with 5 saves, including 2 great diving stops, and organized his back line very well. He’ll look back at the penalty he conceded, but he should be proud of the rest of his performance.
• Landon Okonski— He was my defender of the match again, and his stats show why. He finished with a 94% pass-completion rate, 1 headed shot on target, 1 accurate long ball, 1 tackle, 12 clearances, 1 interception and 2 recoveries. He also won 60% of his ground duels and 75% of his aerial duels and wasn’t dribbled past once. He continues to look very good for OCB.

What’s Next?

Orlando City B (44 pts., 11-7-9 ) finish up the regular season at home, taking on Atlanta United II (45 pts., 13-5-9). This match will determine if OCB makes the playoffs so it will be a big one.

Highlights