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Orlando City B’s Season Ends at the Hands of their Rivals Atlanta United 2, Losing 4-2

David G.

Courtesy of Orlando City B Communications

Orlando City B (41 pts., 10-7-9) finished out their season against Atlanta United 2 (45 pts., 13-5-9). This was the third meeting between the teams with the last matchup going in favor of Atlanta United 2 5-1 but Orlando took the first meeting 2-0.

Lineup

Orlando City B made no adjustments again 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), Landon Mellecker (MF), Nicolas Bobea Torres (MF/FW), and Mathew Belgodere (FW).

First Half

OCB started off the game as they kicked the ball out of bounds off the kickoff to pin Atlanta United 2 deep. Orlando really possessed the ball early in this one, really looking to control the ball. However, the possession didn’t matter as Atlanta were able to break and fed the ball in from wide left to Kovac who slipped it past Himes putting Atlanta up 0-1.

Atlanta continued to rack up fouls early in this one, with 3 fouls committed in the first 5 minutes. They were looking to really slow down the game and make it choppy. Orlando had another nervy moment in the 6th minute when Atlanta quickly passed the ball up the right side but Okonoski cleared the ball before it got to Himes. OCB was able to break quickly down the left side through Sarajian, who physically got past his defenders then centered it to Caraballo. He laid it off to Gómez who took a shot but it was blocked. Then right after, Atlanta broke the other way and put in a dangerous cross near post that required Himes to come up with a big save while a group of bodies piled in front of him. Atlanta’s fouling continued and they picked up their first yellow in the 12th minute as Sibrian held back an Orlando attacker.

The game went both ways, with each team putting together some quality strings of possession but Atlanta seemed to have to the better chances in the half. The wing play proved important for both sides but especially for OCB, where Sarajian and Haruna were doing a lot of the work. The wing play would be how Orlando would break through as Issah Haruna got the ball wide right from Caraballo, he darted past his defenders, and slammed it home just outside the box making the score 1-1.

After the goal, Orlando looked to possess more but they continued to get fouled by Atlanta. Sibrian tackled an Orlando player hard but was not given a second yellow though it looked awfully close to being a carded offense. Atlanta had a few more half chances following the foul but nothing too nervy from the visitors. Kovac continued to threaten the back line of OCB with his aerial ability and soft touch. Unfortunately, Orlando would break and an own goal would be scored off of them as Himes came out to clear it and it bounced off Sarajian and into the net. This put Atlanta up 1-2 heading into the water break.

After the hydration break, Orlando came back out looking to get back into the match but Caraballo was grabbed as he was heading up field. This drew a foul and set up a set piece for OCB where they put it far post to Miller who got a touch on it but the Atlanta keeper was able to control it. Orlando got the ball back quickly and pushed forward again looking for an equalizer, pinging the ball around the box but they weren’t able to put a quality chance on net. Atlanta found another break through again, this time through the left side as their attacker beat two OCB defenders and centered the ball for an easy tap in to make the score 1-3 in favor of Atlanta.

After the goal Orlando tried hard to get a goal back and were possessing well. They got the ball to Sarajian who picked up a foul that drew another yellow card for Atlanta. On the following free kick, Orlando got it out wide right where Justin Hylton took a curler that was deflected on its way in but found the back of the net making the score 2-3 in first half stoppage time.

The half would end shortly after 2-3 in favor of Atlanta United 2.

Second Half

The second half got underway off an Atlanta United 2 kickoff. They had two half chances early to start the half but Orlando’s defense was stout and they pushed the ball clear. OCB did eventually get on the ball and strung together a few decent chances during the period. The best shot came from Justin Hylton who hit a curler just outside the box but it was pushed away by Atlanta’s keeper last minute. Orlando really put pressure on Atlanta and did a great job keeping possession of the ball through the first ten minute of the second half.

Atlanta United’s 2 made two subs in the 57th minute with Sibrian and Suarez coming off, with Kwon and Pita coming on. These subs appeared to be like-for-like, in an attempt to control the game a bit better. OCB did still have a chances after the subs, with Haruna able to get a shot off in the 60th minute but it was fading wide. Atlanta picked up another yellow card a minute later after Cisset tugged on the Orlando attacker as they were about to get beat. Atlanta were able to break on the left side again and this time got past two OCB defenders before megging Himes and putting Atlanta up 2-4.

OCB quickly got on the ball again, looking to get back into the match but they had a few weak half chances. Orlando would make two subs in the 71st minute with Sarajian and Gómez coming off, and with Belgodere and Lasheras coming on. It helped OCB a bit but Atlanta were really defensively solid and when they did get on the ball, they held on to it for as long as they could to help wind down the time. This led into the second half hydration break where Orlando would make two more subs with Okonoski and Leão out, while Nico Torres and Brady Kendall came on. They were really looking to come out and attack.

Haruna went on a long run after the subs and was chopped down right outside the box. OCB won a free kick and Atlanta picked up another yellow card. Atlanta also made two more subs with Chong Qi and Jardines coming off, with Fakiyesi and Henry coming on. Off the free kick, OCB put the ball far post where it was headed off the post and went wide. Nico Torres would put up a yellow in the 86th minute while trying to defend a counter attack slowing the game down. OCB made their final sub in the 90th minute with Haruna coming off and Hector Aguirre coming on. Atlanta would make a sub later in stoppage time with Kovac coming off, his replacement didn’t make it on due to how long the sub happened. The game ended 4-2 in favor of Atlanta United 2.

Players to Highlight

  • Issah Haruna — Haruna had another great game with a goal and an assist. He was all around the right side of the pitch and even came centrally at times to find the game. He ended with a 91% passing rate, 1 chance created, 2 shots, 75% successful dribbles, 2 accurate long balls, 2 tackles, 5 recoveries, and won 80% of his ground duels. Haruna was one of the best attackers this season, I’m looking forward to seeing him next season.
  • Gustavo Caraballo — Another good game for the attacker as he continues to fine tune his second striker/attacking mid game. He ended with an assist, an 81% passing rate, 3 chances created, 1 shot, 50% successful dribbles, 3 accurate crosses, 8 long balls, and 1 recovery. Let’s see if he gets more of a look with the first team since OCB’s season is over.
  • Justin Hylton — played the full 90 in this one and I liked what he brought to the match. He got a quality goal in this one but his play outside of that was very good. He ended with a 96% passing rate, 2 shots, 100% successful dribbles, 3 accurate long balls, 1 interception, 1 recovery, and an 86% ground duels won rate. This slight change in Hylton’s positioning, in the later half of the season, may open up more opportunities for him.

What’s Next?

That ended the season for Orlando City B as they just missed the playoffs by losing in this one. Some good highs on the seasons but some lows for sure as well.

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