OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that drew 1-1 with New England Revolution II last weekend. It appears that Abdi Salim and Jack Lynn are both with the first team preparing for the match tomorrow night, replaced in the lineup by Thomas Williams and Jhon Solis, who returned after serving his suspension against New England.

The Young Lions went with their typical 4-4-2 formation in this game. The starting back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero was Franco Perez, Williams, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Imanol Almaguer. Cristian Medina, Juninho, Alex Freeman, and Moises Tablante were in the midfield with Shak Mohammed and Solis up top.

Chicago was by far the better team in the first 30 minutes and could’ve been up multiple goals before OCB took its first shot. But it remained 1-0 at halftime, enabling the Young Lions to get back into the game. A strong second-half team all year, OCB did it again, dominating the second 45 minutes to pull level.

The game got off to a slow start with neither team creating any dangerous chances. Charlie Ostrem took a long-distance shot in the second minute and Eric Leonard in the 11th minute, but both were blocked. In the 12th minute, Oregel played the ball to the top of the box for Missael Rodriguez, but his shot missed wide.

The hosts nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Billy Hency dribbled into the OCB box for the second time. He cut inside to lose Perez — who reached his right leg out but didn’t get enough of the ball — and shot for the near post. Otero dove to his left, tipping the ball wide.

Chicago broke through in the 17th minute when Rodriguez received the ball in the middle of the field. He played it for Oregel, who continued the ball out right for Hency. The midfielder’s pass for Rodrigeuz was behind and it looked like OCB might clear. Dylan Borso and Juninho both went after the ball and it bounced off Borso’s arm, but referee Calin Radosav didn’t call it. The ball went back to Oregel, who put it past Otero to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.

In the 22nd minute, Hency found Luka Prpa at the top of the OCB box. Prpa’s shot was rising as it neared the OCB goal and Otero reached up for it, but the attempt ultimately went over the crossbar.

The Young Lions finally created their first attack in the 26th minute. Juninho made a long run into the Chicago box and centered the ball for Mohammed near the penalty spot. The pass was behind the forward, so Mohammed played it to Tablante on his left. Tablante made some moves to create space for a shot, but Hency did well to stay in front and blocked the attempt.

OCB was able to create some more opportunities from set pieces but was unable to convert. In the 31st minute, Prpa fouled Freeman, earning a yellow card. The free kick by Almaguer was into the box, but cleared away.

Three minutes later, Borso fouled Solis about 25 yards from goal. Almaguer was expected to lift another cross into the box, but quickly stepped up to the ball and fired on goal, attempting to catch the defense off guard. However, his shot skied over the crossbar and was never a threat for Chicago goalkeeper Jeff Gal.

Juninho found Tablante to his left in the 35th minute, but the midfielder’s second shot of the half was blocked. That was the last first-half chance for either team as the game went to the break with Chicago leading 1-0.

Possession was almost even in the first 45 minutes, with Chicago holding a slight edge (50.1%-49.9%). But the Fire created most of the chances, ending the first half with more shots (6-3), shots on target (2-0), and crosses (4-1). OCB passed more accurately (88.4%-85%) and both teams won two corner kicks.

Perelman made a surprising halftime change, replacing the team’s second-leading goal scorer Mohammed with Cristofer Acuna. Immediately after the kickoff, the Fire created a chance when Oregel sent Rodriguez behind the OCB defense. The forward was pushed wide, but got away a shot on target. Otero was guarding his near post and got down to make the stop.

OCB created its first shot on target in the 49th minute from Perez just outside of the Chicago box. It forced Gal to dive to his left and tip the ball wide for a corner kick. The ensuing short corner resulted in an Oregel foul on Juninho just outside of the Chicago 18. Almaguer sent a curling cross towards the back post, but it was too high for Williams to put it on target, glancing off the top of his head.

As he’s done several times this year, Juninho attempted to drag his team back into the game as it neared the hour mark. In the 51st minute, the OCB captain dribbled into the box and shot, but it was right at Gal. Five minutes later, the midfielder took an ambitious shot from outside of the box. He kept it low, but it was right to Gal who made the easy save.

Perelman made his second change in the 61st minute and it was a forward for a defender. Rivera came on for left back Perez, resulting in Tablante dropping back to left back, where he’s played frequently since 2020.

It looked like OCB would have a great chance in the 64th minute when Juninho was sent forward to the top of the Chicago box. After a challenge with the defender, Juninho went down. Both teams stopped, expecting Radosav to call the foul, but he decided there wasn’t enough contact.

An unusual and confusing situation occurred in the 67th minute when Kibunguchy and Rodriguez got together near the OCB box. The Young Lions ended up with the ball and went on the counter attack. After failing to create anything, Radosav halted the game as Rodriguez was still down. He gave Kibunguchy a yellow card for the collision and Perelman a yellow for dissent after the play.

OCB had been the more threatening team in the second half and found the equalizer in the 71st minute. Receiving the ball from Tablante near the end line, Juninho sent a low pass to Rivera at the top of the six-yard box. But it hit the foot of Prpa and popped up for Rivera. The second-half substitute’s diving header went past Gal to even the game at 1-1.

The Young Lions had more chances in the 75th minute when Tablante saved the ball from going out of play, but his pass into the middle was blocked out by Ueland for a corner kick. The short set piece ended up with Freeman in the box and his shot was blocked for another corner. This one didn’t result in an OCB shot as Chicago won a goal kick.

In the 81st minute, Hency found Rodriguez going forward. Rodriguez took a shot shortly after entering the box, but it was blocked out of play by Williams for a corner kick. That was the last action for Rodriguez as he was immediately replaced.

The corner ended up with Matteo Kidd, who took a hard shot from distance. It looked like it would’ve been on target, but Williams came charging in to block it, enabling OCB to clear the danger.

On the other end, OCB nearly took its first lead of the night. With his back to goal at the top of the box, Juninho laid the ball off for the oncoming Solis. The midfileder’s first touch was a hard shot towards the near post, but it went just wide.

In the 90th minute, Hency cleared the ball out of play for an OCB corner kick. The set piece found the foot of Kibunguchy in the box and the center back’s first touch was a shot. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get over it, sending the ball well over the target.

The Young Lions nearly scored a winner in the third minute of stoppage time when Tablante sent a cross towards the back post. It looked to be too close to Gal, but went over his head and off the far post. The Chicago defense nearly headed it into the goal but it went just wide for a corner. That was the last chance as the game ended 1-1.

At full time, OCB had more possession (54.2%-45.8%), shots (12-11), corners (9-2), and crosses (7-5), and passed more accurately (87%-83.8%). Chicago put more shots on target (4-3), but only one past Otero.

NYCFC II’s draw and shootout win over Toronto FC II earlier in the evening meant that the Young Lions only needed a point to clinch a spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. It’s the first time they’ve seen the postseason in the young league and the second time they’ve made the postseason in team history.

While they did their job and clinched a playoff spot, the draw meant the game would go to penalties to see which team got an extra point. Freeman started the shootout by putting his attempt into the corner. Prpa stepped up for Chicago and also went for the corner. But Otero guessed correctly and stopped it to give OCB the lead after one round.

Medina took the second attempt for the Young Lions and went right down the middle. Gal dove to his left, but left his legs back enough to block the attempt. Defender Noah Egan put his penalty past Otero to make it 1-1 after two rounds.

The shootout settled down after that with Juninho, Solis, and Acuna comfortably netting their penalties. Michael Nesci sent Otero the wrong way, but the 20-year-old goalkeeper nearly ended it in the fourth round when he got a hand to Justin Reynolds’ attempt. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get enough of it to keep it out.

After Acuna put his shot into the roof to give the Young Lions the fifth-round lead, Ostrem stepped up needing to convert. He put his attempt down the middle, nearly identical to Medina earlier. However, Otero was able to keep his legs back, blocking the shot and OCB took two points on the night.

OCB remains in fifth place with one game remaining in the regular season and can’t catch Columbus Crew 2 for fourth. However, the Young Lions still have plenty to play for next weekend. They can still finish fifth, sixth, or seventh, potentially determining if they can get a home game in the postseason.

The Young Lions will return home to end their second MLS NEXT Pro regular season next Sunday when they face FC Cincinnati 2 at Osceola County Stadium.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that lost 6-3 to Crown Legacy FC Sunday night. Moises Tablante entered the starting lineup at left back in place of Franco Perez, who started on the bench. Jhon Solis, who had started every game this season, was suspended after being sent off the last time these two teams met on Aug. 9. He was replaced in the lineup by Lynn.

Starting in their usual 4-4-2 formation, the back line in front of Javier Otero was Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Abdi Salim, and Tablante. Alex Freeman, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Wilfredo Rivera were in the midfield, with Lynn and Shak Mohammed up top.

This was a game of two halves for the Young Lions. They were lifeless in the first 45 minutes and should’ve been down multiple goals if not for some poor finishing by the opposition. They took advantage of the opportunity and played much better in the second half, resulting in an equalizer. Despite failing to secure a playoff spot tonight, they brought themselves closer to making the postseason for just the second time in team history.

OCB controlled possession in the first few minutes, but it was New England that created the chances. In the fifth minute, Colby Quinones found Damian Rivera running behind the OCB defense. It looked like the midfielder would get a shot off, but Kibunguchy did well defending and knocked it out for a corner kick. Jake Rozhansky’s ensuing set piece was too close to Otero, who caught it.

In the seventh minute, forward Joshua Bolma got his first attempt when he cut back inside from the right to lose Tablante and create enough space for a shot. However, it was right to Otero, who made the easy save.

Rivera had his second opportunity in the eighth minute when he received the ball at the top of the OCB box. The 20-year-old midfielder cut inside to lose Almaguer and shot towards the near post, but it skipped just wide.

OCB had its first chance of the game in the 12th minute when Juninho made a long run into the New England box. He had Mohammed and Lynn flanking him, but decided to take it himself. With two defenders closing in, Juninho shot to the near post but missed wide, which became a theme for the Brazilian throughout the match and into the shootout.

In the 14th minute, Almaguer got in front of a New England shot, blocking it out for a corner kick. Rozhansky took the set piece, sending over the head of Noble Okello and Jordan Adebayo-Smith at the near post and into the center of the six-yard box. Souza darted to the ball, beating Medina and Kibunguchy. It was an awkward attempt by the defender and difficult to tell whether it came off his head, chest, or foot, but went inside the near post to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The Young Lions tried to play the ball out of the back, but a turnover in his own third by Lynn provided another opportunity for New England. Rivera took possession, sprinted to the top of the OCB box, and found Bolma to his left. The forward attempted to curl the ball inside the far post beyond the reach of Otero, but missed just wide.

New England should’ve scored a second goal in the 22nd minute when Bolma received the ball on the right side of the box. He quickly sent a low cross in for Adebayo-Smith, who was left uncovered at the far post. The ball popped up on the artificial turf, bouncing off the striker and wide. It was a fortunate bounce for the Young Lions because the ball just as easily could’ve bounced off his chest and in.

Rivera had his third chance of the game in the 25th minute when he received the ball on the left. The midfielder took two touches to lose his defender and took a snap-shot on goal. Fortunately, the strong shot was right to Otero, who blocked it away with both hands. No attacking players were nearby, so OCB was able to clear.

In the 27th minute, Rozhansky entered the box and got behind Juninho. The OCB captain didn’t recognize the New England midfielder sneaking behind him, enabling Rozhansky to get his head on the Bolma cross. Otero’s positioning was perfect for the wide-open attempt and the header was right to the OCB goalkeeper.

Juninho made his second long run to the New England box in the 43rd minute. Similar to his earlier run, the OCB captain shot from the top of the 18, but sent it wide. It didn’t appear to touch any defenders, but the referee awarded a corner kick. OCB struggled to create chances from the set piece, eventually sending a shot right to New England goalkeeper Max Weinstein.

Otero has been solid for OCB this season but almost made a huge blunder in the 45th minute. The goalkeeper came out of his box, but was beaten to the ball by Marcos Dias. Cutting inside to create space for a shot, the midfielder sent the ball on goal. Fortunately, Salim was there to head it over the top and out of play, keeping the halftime deficit at one.

OCB had more first-half possession (56.7%-43.3%) and crosses (5-2) and passed more accurately (88%-86.5%). However, most of the Young Lions’ possession and passes were in the midfield rather than the final third. Rather than crossing into the box, New England found pockets of space for chances, resulting in more shots (11-5) and shots on target (6-0).

Perelman made one halftime change, replacing Wilfredo Rivera with Perez. The substitution pushed Tablante from left back into the midfield.

OCB nearly had a chance in the 49th minute when Mohammed played the ball out wide for Freeman. The Homegrown midfielder sent a low cross into the box, where Lynn attempted to turn and shoot, but the ball got caught in his feet.

Lynn had another chance in the 51st minute when Tablante found him in the box. The striker took a first-touch shot that skied over the target. Lynn had more time than he realized for a touch before shooting, but took it first time.

In the 55th minute, Mohammed took an ambitious shot from long range that appeared to be heading well wide. Weinstein dove to his left anyway and blocked the ball out of play, giving OCB a corner kick.

New England headed the ball away, which went to Adebayo-Smith and only Perez back. The striker touched the ball past the left back to get behind the entire defense. Otero came out of his box to near midfield, where he collided with Adebayo-Smith, heading it the opposite direction. Otero popped right up after the big collision, but Adebayo-Smith remained down and required medical attention.

Playing with a man advantage while Adebayo-Smith was treated on the sideline, OCB had a chance to equalize in the 61st minute when Mohammed played the ball wide for Juninho. The midfielder dribbled inside until he found some space and aimed for the far post. The shot was beyond the reach of the diving Weinstein, but skipped wide yet again.

Two minutes later, Tablante sent a long-distance attempt that was blocked out of play by Weinstein for a corner kick. The set piece ended with a chance for Lynn about three yards from goal. But the striker somehow managed to hit the post. OCB players wanted a handball, but the referee disagreed. Meanwhile, Perez got into the box and shot from close range, but it was saved by Weinstein.

In the 65th minute, Almaguer found Juninho in the box and the midfielder’s shot was blocked wide by Weinstein. The ensuing corner was played short to Juninho, who dribbled into the box and shot. Weinstein again blocked the attempt with his right hand, but put it right in front of goal. Lynn was in the right position to tap it in for his league-leading 18th goal of the season.

New England attempted to respond quickly when Olger Escobar received the ball from Adebayo-Smith. The halftime substitute took a shot from well outside of the box, but it didn’t cause any trouble for Otero.

The hosts nearly got the lead back in the 82nd minute when Dias received the ball at the top corner of the box from Escobar. Just after entering the 18, the midfielder sent the shot towards the upper corner. Otero dove to his right, but it was too far from him. Fortunately, the ball went just wide of the far post.

In the 85th minute, Escobar took a long shot of his own, but this one went well over the target. Perelman took the opportunity to make two changes for the final minutes. Cristofer Acuna and Zakaria Taifi came into the game for Lynn and Freeman.

Four minutes into second-half stoppage time, New England had a chance for a winner when substitute Patrick Leal was played behind the OCB defense. The midfielder entered the six-yard box from the left, but Otero came out to make himself big. The goalkeeper got down with his legs spread and blocked it to keep the game at 1-1.

OCB quickly went the other way and won a corner kick. It was taken quickly to Juninho, who sent a curling ball towards the back post. The ball ended up at the feet of Kibunguchy with enough space for a shot, but it bounced off of his leg and out for a goal kick. That was the last chance for either team and it ended 1-1.

OCB had less possession in the second half, ending with a slight advantage (51.5%-48.5%). However, the Young Lions were much better in the second 45 minutes. New England ended with more shots (17-16) and shots on target (7-5), but OCB outshot the hosts (11-6) and put more on target (5-1) in the second period of play. OCB also had more corner kicks (9-6) and crosses (11-6) and passed more accurately (89%-86.6%) during the game.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team took a point from regulation and went to penalties to decide who got the extra point. It didn’t start off well for OCB as Juninho sent Weinstein the wrong way, but fired his shot wide. After Leal and Medina converted, Jacob Akanyirige had a similar situation as Juninho, sending Otero the wrong way but missing wide.

OCB took the advantage after three rounds when Moises Tablante scored and Otero saved Souza’s penalty. But Weinstein stopped Kibunguchy on the next attempt, enabling Escobar to even the shootout at 2-2 after four rounds.

Despite having Acuna and Mohammed available, OCB continued to go with defensive players, sending Taifi to the spot. Weinstein guessed correctly on the first-year professional, making a comfortable save. Otero got his hand to Dias’ subsequent attempt, but didn’t get enough of it, and New England took the extra point.

The point gets OCB closer to claiming a playoff spot for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro and the second time in team history. But it also means the Young Lions can no longer catch Columbus Crew 2 for the top spot in the Central Division and the fourth seed in the playoffs.

OCB could still claim a playoff spot this weekend if NYCFC II and Philadelphia Union II lose in regulation or a shootout tomorrow night. If either gets at least two points, OCB will need to wait until next weekend for another chance to secure a playoff spot.

The Young Lions will take the field again next Friday night when they face Chicago Fire FC II at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made only one change to the team that beat Columbus Crew 2 at home last weekend with Abdi Salim replacing Thomas Williams. The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero was Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Salim, and Franco Perez. Alex Freeman, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield behind Wilfredo Rivera and Shak Mohammed.

Crown Legacy didn’t dominate this game at any point, but was more efficient in front of goal. The visitors scored on nearly every first-half chance, taking a 4-0 lead into the break. The second half was bound to be wild with this OCB team and it didn’t disappoint. Perelman brought Lynn into the game at halftime and the team’s leading scorer brought the Young Lions back with a pair of goals. Unfortunately, they couldn’t do enough to erase the deficit and lost for the third time at home this season.

The Young Lions had the first chances of the game in the seventh minute. Freeman dribbled down the right and played a low ball for Rivera in the box. The forward attempted to turn, but was well defended and Crown Legacy was able to clear.

OCB recycled and went to the left this time. Perez carried the ball to the end line, where it appeared as though he’d cross, but he shot from a tight angle instead. Crown Legacy goalkeeper Isaac Walker was glued to his near post, enabling him to make the easy stop.

The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute from a great individual play by Tavares. It started when Scardina sent a long cross to the top of the box that was headed to Tavares by Agyemang. Tavares flicked the ball up to himself and headed it on to beat Kibunguchy. His first touch after getting past the center back was a hard strike that beat Otero to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead.

Crown Legacy doubled its advantage in the 28th minute when Kibunguchy fouled Agyemang away from goal. Petkovic played the set piece short for Joao Pedro, who immediately sent it forward for Thiago on the left. Salim got his foot to the midfielder’s low cross, but only played it back to Scardina, who sent a thunderous strike to the far post, making it 2-0.

Tavares attempted to score another impressive goal from the top of the box in the 36th minute. He was patient in finding enough space to get a shot off, but Perez got in the way and OCB cleared.

The Young Lions had a decent chance in the 38th minute when Guilherme fouled Juninho from 25 yards out. Medina stepped up to take the free kick and went directly for goal, but his shot went just over the crossbar. It wasn’t far off target, but Walker appeared to have it the whole way.

In the 43rd minute, Philip Mayaka took a shot from distance that was blocked behind the goal for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece was beyond everyone in the box, but headed back in by Scardina. Juninho’s attempted clearance went backwards into a group of players. Guilherme came flying in and over Kibunguchy to meet the ball, heading it past Otero to make it 3-0 Crown Legacy.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to make it four, doing so in the first minute of first-half injury time. Marko Filipovic sent a long ball forward from his own box and Kibunguchy misjudged it, enabling Agyemang to get behind him near midfield. The attacker used his speed to lose Almaguer and a quick change of pace to beat Salim. He quickly shot to the far post, beating Otero and giving Crown Legacy a commanding 4-0 lead.

OCB had more first-half possession (54.7%-45.3%), but Crown Legacy had more shots (7-5) and shots on goal (4-1), taking advantage of set pieces and counterattacks. The Young Lions also had more corners (2-1) and passed more accurately (86.4%-84.1%). Both teams had three crosses in the first 45 minutes.

“I think that they (Crown Legacy) were effective and aggressive in the first half. We had control of the ball mostly. They were effective,” Perelman said about the first period of play. “They scored twice on set pieces, they find goals in another two sequences, and that’s it.”

Perelman made one change at halftime. Lynn didn’t start the game after being with the first team in Cincinnati Saturday night. He came on for Rivera with OCB desperately needing goals.

Despite the attacking change, it was Crown Legacy that had the good early look. Less than a minute into the half, Agyemang was sent towards the OCB end line and reached the ball just before it crossed. He played it back for Tavares, who lost Perez for space to shoot. Fortunately, his shot was over the crossbar.

OCB nearly had its first chance of the second half in the 52nd minute, when Almaguer sent a curling ball around the defense for Freeman down the right. However, Freeman was unable to hold his run and the flag went up for offside. That was the last action for Perez, who was replaced by Tablante immediately after the whistle.

The Young Lions got a goal back in the 58th minute when a cross by Tablante into the box was cleared away by Tavares. The ensuing corner kick by Tablante went all the way to the back post, where Lynn beat Scardina to the ball and tapped it in to cut the deficit to three.

OCB had another chance off a corner kick in the 60th minute when Tate Johnson headed a cross out of play. Almaguer found the head of Solis in the box with the set piece. The midfielder sent the ball towards the far post, but wide.

Crown Legacy increased its lead in the 60th minute when Johnson sent Agyemang down the left. The attacker played the ball back for David Poreba, who continued it to Tavares behind the penalty spot. With Otero left flat-footed, the striker calmly played the ball into the bottom corner to make it 5-1.

The visitors scored their sixth goal in the 67th minute from an impressive run by Tavares. A Solis turnover near midfield enabled Crown Legacy to go the other way. Tavares dribbled by Juninho and played Petkovic through. Otero came out to cut down the angle, but the midfielder placed it into the corner to make it 6-1.

Despite being down five goals, OCB didn’t give up and got one back in the 70th minute. Solis’ shot was blocked out of play, giving the Young Lions another corner kick. Almaguer’s free kick found the head of Solis near the top of the box. The header was towards the far post and it initially looked like he’d scored, but Lynn got the last touch, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

“I noticed that we were winning a lot of the first balls, but maybe not putting it on target. So I just wanted to go in the six and try and clean up anything that was coming my way,” Lynn said about his two goals on set pieces. “And two balls came my way and I was quick to react and just lucky to find the net on them.”

The goal was Lynn’s 17th of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season, topping his OCB record 15 goals last year. It also tied NYCFC II’s Matt Myers for the lead in the race for the league’s top goal scorer.

“I have to first and foremost give credit to my teammates and the coaching staff for putting me in good positions to score,” Lynn said about his league-leading goal tally. “Without them, nothing’s possible. Besides that, always staying patient and trying to put away my chances when they come towards me.”

Perelman made his final two changes of the game right after the goal. Zakaria Taifi and Thomas Williams entered the game for Juninho and Medina.

Crown Legacy responded quickly to OCB’s first goal and they did again after the second. Two minutes after Lynn’s conversion, substitute Marko Filipovic received the ball in the box and was taken down by Solis from behind. Referee J.J. Bilinski didn’t hesitate pointing to the spot and awarding the visitors a penalty.

Poreba stepped to the spot, sending the shot low and to his left. But Otero guessed correctly and blocked the attempt. The OCB goalkeeper jumped on the loose ball near the center of the six-yard box before any Crown Legacy players could reach it. It was Otero’s fourth penalty save in 10 attempts this season.

Continuing the wild sequence of events, OCB got another goal back in the 74th minute. Taifi sent the ball to Solis, who split two defenders and found Tablante on the left. The substitute used a stepover to beat Scardina and dribbled past Filipovic before taking a shot from outside of the box. He couldn’t have placed it any better, skimming the bottom of the crossbar and into the corner to make it a 6-3 game.

In the 82nd minute, Crown Legacy had a chance when Poreba received the ball from Filipovic. The midfielder had space for a shot, but took a little too long and Williams came sliding in to block it wide. The ensuing corner kick by Pedro was into the hands of Otero, keeping the deficit at three.

The final chance of the game came a minute into second-half stoppage time. Guilherme cleared the ball out of play and Almaguer sent a corner kick into the box. Salim headed the ball down softly and towards goal. Lynn was in the perfect position to turn and redirect it on frame, but his attempt was over the crossbar and Crown Legacy came away with the win.

OCB ended the game with more possession (53.6%-46.4%), corners (7-3), and crosses (11-5), and passed more accurately (87%-85.5%). However, Crown Legacy created more shots (16-13) and put more shots on target (9-5).

“In the second half we had a great effort,” Perelman said of the performance. “Of course, we concede spaces to them. We find the goals, but they found another too and won. The game is finished. We faced a good team, we know that. We couldn’t do it. We didn’t have our best night.”

Despite the loss, Perelman insists he’s extremely proud of his team and the fight they showed in the second half.

“We made a lot of mistakes, but I’m proud of my team,” he said after the game. “I’m proud of my team because this is a really difficult season. It’s really difficult in second teams to prepare for a game, to make training sessions, to make a lot of things that the people don’t see. But we know. And in that context, the guys are doing a big effort, are competing, and I’m proud of my boys even more than ever today.”

Results around the league this weekend meant that OCB could’ve clinched a playoff spot tonight by taking all three points. Despite not being able to take advantage of the opportunity, the Young Lions remain in fifth in the Eastern Conference, six points above the playoff line. Since there are only three games remaining in the season, the Young Lions could officially qualify for the playoffs for the second time in team history later this week.

It will be a short turnaround for OCB as the Young Lions travel to take on New England Revolution II in a rare Thursday night contest.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made four changes to the team that beat NYCFC II, 4-3 on Aug. 13. Alex Freeman, Thomas Williams, and Franco Perez returned to the back line, replacing Moises Tablante, Abdi Salim, and Zakaria Taifi. Imanol Almaguer moved back up into the midfield, and Juninho returned to the lineup for the first time since July 31. Lynn has been a regular starter for OCB this year, but started on the bench tonight after playing at the end of the first team’s 2-1 win over St. Louis City SC Saturday night.

Javier Otero started in goal behind a back line of Perez, Nabi Kibunguchy, Williams, and Freeman. Solis, Cristian Medina, Juninho, and Almaguer were in the midfield, with Mohammed and Rivera up top.

OCB was the better team most of the game. The Young Lions had more possession and chances in the first half, going into the break with a 1-0 lead. But the task was made easier when Holstad was sent off in the 53rd minute and Crew 2 didn’t really have a chance after that. It was only a matter of time before the Young Lions scored a second and they quickly got two more. Even if the visitors had converted their penalty with 20 minutes to go, it never felt like this game was in doubt.

Crew 2 had the game’s first chances when Isaiah Parente shot from the right in the sixth minute, but Kibunguchy got in the way, blocking it out for a corner kick. The ensuing corner ended up with Stuart Ritchie, whose shot was blocked out by Juninho. Columbus players appealed for a handball in the box, but the OCB captain’s arm was tucked against his body, so it was only a corner kick. The second ball was cleared away by Kibunguchy and the Young Lions avoided an early deficit.

The Young Lions had their first chance in the 10th minute when Freeman sent Mohammed into the Crew 2 box. Mohammed was either aiming for the far post or passing into the middle for Rivera, but the ball was blocked by Clay Holstad out of play.

The ensuing corner was headed outward by Williams, ending up with Juninho just outside of the box. The midfielder’s low and hard shot was deflected by Philip Quinton, forcing Crew 2 goalkeeper Staislav Lapkes to change directions and knock it out of play. The next corner bounced around, enabling Kibunguchy to get a shot off, but it was blocked and cleared away.

OCB had a chance to take advantage of a Crew 2 mistake in the 24th minute when Perez was caught offside. Lapkes attempted a short free kick to Brent Abu-Gyamfi and OCB’s pressure forced Abu-Gyamfi to play it back to his goalkeeper. Juninho intercepted the weak pass before Rivera gained possession and attempted to guide it into the net. Unfortunately, Quinton was alert, getting back in front of goal and clearing the ball before it reached the goal line.

The Young Lions took the lead in the 39th minute when Almaguer sent a long ball forward for Freeman, who was on the outside of Ritchie. The right back did well to shield the defender, taking control and sending the ball across for a wide open Rivera on the far side. The forward’s shot was tipped by Lapkes, but went into the far corner, giving OCB a 1-0 lead.

The visitors asked for a penalty in the 44th minute when Abdi Mohamed sent Noah Fuson into the box. Medina was keeping up with the forward and Fuson ended up on the ground. The forward’s arms went up as he claimed he was pushed over from behind by Medina, but referee Daniel Gutierrez decided there wasn’t enough contact.

The final chance of the first half came three minutes into stoppage time. After losing the ball on his own side of the field, Juninho quickly won it back and made a run forward. He found Rivera open to his left and the forward’s second touch was a shot on goal. Lapkes did well to come off his line and wasn’t far from Rivera when he took the shot, blocking it with his leg. Juninho followed up with a shot from the top of the box, but that one was blocked by Gio De Libera.

OCB had a small halftime advantage in possession (50.6%-49.4%), but had far more shots (13-4), shots on target (4-0), and corners (5-2), and better passing accuracy (83.9%-82.1%). Both teams had one cross and the Young Lions were the only ones to convert, leading 1-0 at the break.

Already down a goal, things got more difficult for Crew 2 in the 53rd minute. Kibunguchy sent a long ball down the right that took a big hop over Holstad and Freeman. The right back got behind the Crew 2 defender and Holstad tripped him up. Gutierrez had issued Holstad a yellow card in the 41st minute and gave him his second with this foul.

OCB took advantage of the extra man, increasing its lead in the 55th minute. Taha Habroune received the ball from Lapkes and turned right into Solis. Mohammed took possession and sent Rivera through on goal. Rivera’s shot was right into the legs of Quinton on the goal line, but the block went to Mohammed. Columbus defender Mohamed, who got back to support Quinton, got his leg on the shot, but it went in and OCB took a 2-0 lead. After a brace against NYCFC II, Mohammed now has three goals in his last two games.

“I think it’s just a mental reset,” Mohammed said about scoring three goals in his last two OCB games. “Just knowing that everything is calm, trusting the process, and obviously I have the support of a lot of the people around the club and my teammates and coaches helping me. So it’s amazing to feel the joy of playing football again. That’s all I want to do always.”

Immediately after the goal, Perelman made his first change of the game. Lynn, the team’s leading goal scorer, came on for Rivera.

Despite being a man down, Crew 2 had a chance to equalize in the 60th minute when halftime substitute Rayo cut back and found De Libera between Juninho and Freeman. De Libera was aiming for the corner, but the shot went off the back of Freeman and out of play.

In the 63rd minute, Solis sent Perez down the left. Rather than lifting a cross into the box, the left back played it back for the oncoming Lynn. The striker had a free shot on goal, but sent it right to Lapkes. It was a hard shot and Lapkes knocked it over the crossbar.

As the clock entered the 65th minute, OCB had a golden chance to make it three when Almaguer sent a curling cross into the Crew 2 box. Kibgunchy was wide open and Almaguer’s cross was onto his head, but the center back sent it wide.

Seconds later, the Young Lions did make it three and it was off another Crew 2 turnover. A poor pass out of the back by Quinton was intercepted by Medina, whose first touch was to Mohammed. The striker played it on for Solis, who put it into the corner from the top of the box, giving OCB a commanding 3-0 lead.

OCB went into a bit of a lull for several minutes after scoring the third goal, allowing 10-man Columbus to have possession and create in the attacking third. Crew 2 had a great opportunity to get one back in the 70th minute when Cole Mrowka lifted the ball into the box for Fuson. The striker got to the ball before it went out of play and dropped it back for Rayo. Williams stuck his foot in front of Rayo and the attacker went down. It didn’t appear on replay that Willliams got any of Rayo, but Gutierrez pointed to the spot anyway.

Mohamed stepped up to the penalty, sending it towards Otero’s right corner. But the OCB goalkeeper guessed correctly and blocked the attempt away to maintain the three-goal lead. It was Otero’s third penalty save this season, the most in his career and the most of any goalkeeper in OCB history.

OCB made two more changes in the 74th minute. Salim and Tablante entered the game for Almaguer and Perez.

The visitors had come close to getting on the scoresheet and finally did in the 80th minute. Mrowka sent a curling ball into the box where Fuson was darting in, defended by Kibunguchy. The ball went past both of them to Rayo, who was left wide open at the back post. The midfielder dove down to get his head on the ball, putting it in to make it a 3-1 game.

Perelman made his fourth and final change after the goal, sending 17-year-old academy product Thomas Bowe on to make his professional debut, replacing Mohammed.

After giving up a penalty earlier in the half, OCB got its own chance from the spot in the 82nd minute. Tablante dribbled into the box and Fuson defended him well, knocking the ball out for a corner kick. The ensuing set piece bounced around the six, popping out to Freeman. The defender took a touch towards the end line and Fuson stuck his leg out, tripping him. Gutierrez didn’t hesitate pointing to the spot, awarding the Young Lions a penalty.

Lynn stepped up to the spot to take the penalty. Unlike on the other end, Lapkes went the wrong way and the OCB striker put the ball into the corner, increasing the lead back to three at 4-1.

The goal is Lynn’s 15th of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, equaling his total from the 2022 season. It also brings him to within one goal in the golden boot race, something he’s said he aims to win this year.

Down three goals and time running out of time, Crew 2 was able to create some chances. In the 76th minute, Rayo received the ball near midfield, dribbled through Juninho, and shot from the top of the box, but Williams got in the way to block it. A minute later, Ritchie’s cross was blocked away by Otero. Fuson took control and played it to the top of the 18 for Mataeo Bunbury. The substitute turned and shot, but Kibunguchy got down to block it with his leg, sending it over the crossbar.

Lynn had a chance for a second goal in the 89th minute when Fuson blocked a long pass by Solis before it could reach Tablante. The ball almost reached Quinton, but Lynn got to it first. He sent a hard shot on goal, but Lapkes did well to keep his eyes on the ball and blocked it away. That was the last good look for either team and OCB captured its first-ever win over Crew 2.

The final statistics matched the score as OCB ended up with more possession (55.2%-44.8%), shots (21-14), shots on target (10-2), and corners (8-6), and better passing accuracy (87.4%-84.6%). Crew 2 had more crosses (8-7), but couldn’t turn those chances into goals.

“Unbelievable,” Mohammed said about the win. “Like always, it’s all about the team and it’s a good win for the team. Considering a few months ago they beat us in Columbus, what a way for the team to come out and get the win.”

The three points bring OCB closer to clinching a playoff spot as Philadelphia Union II fell 3-0 to New England Revolution II. As a result, the Young Lions are seven points above the playoff line with four games remaining in the season. They also climb to within five points of Crew 2 for the top of the Eastern Conference’s Central Division.

“We’ve shown from the people on the bench and the people starting that we have the team to keep pushing,” Mohammed said about beating Columbus for the first time. “So it’s amazing to be doing that, especially at this point in the season.”

OCB will return to action next Sunday in its penultimate home game as the Young Lions welcome Eastern Conference-leading Crown Legacy FC to Kissimmee.

“We’re very happy today because Gustavo is another successful example of the fantastic work being done in our academy,” Orlando City Technical Director and Assistant General Manager Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He had a great first season with our U-15 side, showing us what he’s capable of now and his possibilities for the future. Gustavo has a bright future and is continued proof of our development pathway at this club, from the academy to Orlando City B and hopefully the first team. He has the talent and we’ve provided the resources, now it’s up to him to continue putting in the work.”

At 14 years, 11 months, and 16 days old, Caraballo is the youngest player Orlando City has signed to a professional contract. The Orlando native won the golden boot at the 2023 Generation Adidas Cup at the U-15 level in April, tying two others with four goals in the competition. The club’s U-15 team made it to the semifinals of the tournament and Caraballo was named to MLSsoccer.com’s Best XI.

The signing of Caraballo will see the midfielder, who can play on the wing or in the middle, take the roster spot of another Homegrown talent, Alejandro Granados, who the club sold to Club Brugge last week. Internationally, the midfielder is eligible to play for Venezuela or the United States and has been called into U.S. Youth National Team camps.

Caraballo is the son of Gustavo Caraballo Sr., a former Venezuelan international. Following a playing career in which he took part in the Libertadores Cup with Sport Maritimo and the CONMEBOL Cup with Club Maritimo, the elder Caraballo has become a Pro A licensed coach in the area.

While this contract is strictly an MLS NEXT Pro deal, Orlando City has the MLS rights to Caraballo because he came through the club’s academy. As a result, the club can sign him to an MLS deal in the future if he reaches that level.

OCB had some first-team players in the lineup during Wednesday night’s 5-4 loss to New England Revolution II, so there were some changes in the team for this trip. Javier Otero, Zakaria Taifi, Nabi Kibunguchy, and Wilfredo Rivera entered the lineup in place of Mason Stajduhar, Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Felipe. Freeman was the only one of those four to make the trip.

The back line in front of Otero was Taifi, Kibunguchy, Abdi Salim, and Moises Tablante. Imanol Almaguer, Cristian Medina, Wilfredo Rivera, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield with Mohammed and Lynn up top.

OCB got off to a great start in this game, but NYCFC II settled down after the first 15 minutes. The hosts controlled the final half hour of the first half and took a commanding lead 10 minutes into the second half. But Lynn’s 62nd-minute goal provided a spark for the Young Lions and they had NYCFC II on their back foot for the majority of the second half. Braces for the two forwards were the difference as the Young Lions completed their largest comeback win of the season.

OCB had the game’s first chance when Stevo Bednarsky fouled Solis directly in front of goal and 25 yards out. Solis was the only one to step up and take the set piece, sending it into the arms of NYCFC II goalkeeper Alex Rando.

The Young Lions had another attempt in the fourth minute when Jonathan Jimenez fouled Tablante just outside of the box and to the left of goal. Rivera sent the free kick towards the near post, where Solis was making a run, but it missed the midfielder. Mohammed was the first to reach it behind him, but he sent the shot over the target.

The pressure by OCB paid off in the sixth minute when it forced the hosts into a mistake. Receiving the ball from Rio Hope-Gund, Klevis Haxhari attempted a pass for Samuel Owusu, but Taifi stepped in front to pick it off. The defender quickly sent the ball forward for Mohammed, whose second touch was a shot past Rando and into the corner to give the Young Lions an early 1-0 lead.

OCB had a chance to make it two in the ninth minute when Rivera took the ball away from a NYCFC II corner kick. He found Mohammed on his left and the Young Lions had numbers going forward. Mohammed’s low cross looked like it would connect with Medina, but it went by the midfielder and to Solis, whose shot was blocked.

NYCFC II found the equalizer in the 17th minute when Mohammed fouled Christian McFarlane by the sideline. Owusu sent the free kick into the box where MLS NEXT Pro’s leading goal scorer Myers got behind Medina and volleyed the ball past Otero. Medina held his arm up claiming it was offside, but the goal was given to make it 1-1.

Less than a minute later, Kibunguchy played a short ball to Medina, who was quickly swarmed by NYCFC II players. Beer took the ball off Medina’s foot and his second touch was a strong shot that beat Otero inside his near post, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.

It looked like OCB might have a breakaway in the 27th minute when Lynn made a run through the middle of the field and called for the ball. Almaguer had it on the right and sent it forward for the striker, but Lynn couldn’t hold his run and was ruled offside.

NYCFC II nearly had a third goal in the 32nd minute when quick passing by the hosts resulted in Jimenez receiving the ball on the right. The midfielder sent a low cross towards the far post, where John Denis was making a run, but Almaguer slid in to block it. The ball popped up for Myers at the penalty spot and the forward tried to turn and put the ball on goal. Fortunately, he couldn’t get over it and the shot went harmlessly over the crossbar.

Jimenez received the ball on the right again in the 37th minute, dribbling behind Salim. He had Denis making a run towards the far post, but decided to take the shot himself. He had a decent angle, but sent the shot right to Otero who easily made the stop.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made his first change of the game in the 41st minute. Starting the game on the bench, regular right back Freeman came on for Taifi shortly before halftime.

In the 43rd minute, a quick give-and-go between Freeman and Mohammed enabled the latter to send a dangerous cross towards the near post, where Lynn was making a run. Unfortunately, it was a bit too far in front of the striker, and Rando was able to fall on it. Seconds later, Mohammed beat his defender to the end line and sent another ball towards Lynn at the near post. This one was closer to the striker and Lynn tried to use his heel to knock it past Rando, but couldn’t get on the end of it and the ball bounced through the box.

The fourth official put up three minutes of first-half stoppage time and NYCFC II was the only team to create a chance before the end of the half. Jimenez played the ball outside for Hope-Gund, who played it back to the midfielder at the top of the box. His shot was through the legs of Kibunguchy, but into the arms of Otero.

The Young Lions dominated the first 15 minutes, creating multiple chances and striking first. But the goal woke the hosts up and they had the better opportunities in the final 30 minutes of the first half. At halftime, OCB had more possession (51.7%-48.3%) and better passing accuracy (79.1%-72.6%), but NYCFC II had more shots (7-6), shots on target (4-3), and corners (5-1).

OCB had the first second-half chance in the 49th minute after Tablante was taken down by Jimenez just outside of the box. The short set piece ended up with Almaguer, who sent a good ball towards the six. It was headed towards the top of the box by Owusu, where it landed at the feet of Salim, but his shot was blocked by Bednarsky. Kibunguchy took a second attempt, but his shot was blocked by Haxhari.

In the 54th minute, Freeman dribbled the ball across the top of the box and gave it to Rivera. The attacker attempted to find space, eventually going down after contact with Owusu. NYCFC II broke the other way where Beer found Myers for a breakaway. Otero did well to come off his line and block the attempt. Denis ended up with the rebound, but Almaguer got in front to block it out of play.

The ensuing corner kick by Denis went into a group of players in the box. Owusu jumped over everyone, but Myers was the one to get the final touch, putting it past Otero to make it 3-1.

NYCFC II nearly had a fourth in the 59th minute when Denis played a low ball through the box. Jimenez ended up with it and sent a shot on goal, but Otero made a diving save, tipping it wide. Denis neary reached the rebound, but Almaguer got to it first, clearing it out of play.

Lynn almost got one back for OCB in the 61st minute when Tablante sent a dangerous ball towards the top of the six-yard box. The striker was there and got his foot to the ball, but Rando was able to get down and block it away with his foot.

Right after that attempt, NYCFC II tried to play the ball out of the back, but Medina intercepted the pass. Receiving the ball from Medina, Rivera found Solis, who quickly played it to Mohammed. Lynn was making a run towards goal and Mohammed found him, enabling the striker to redirect it in and making it a 3-2 game.

Perelman made his second substitution in the 64th minute, bringing Franco Perez on for Rivera.

OCB received a boost of energy as the game neared the 70th minute, keeping more possession and creating more chances than its opponents. The Young Lions had multiple opportunities, primarily with Almaguer lifting balls into the box, but nobody could get on the end of them. The only shot was a long-distance cross or shot attempt by Almaguer that sailed out of play.

Just after that chance, OCB made its final change of the game, bringing Favian Loyola on for Tablante.

The Young Lions found their equalizer in the 80th minute from a poor touch by Piero Elias. Mohammed got to the ball before Elias, tapping it to Loyola, who immediately sent the ball forward for Lynn making a run behind the NYCFC II back line. The striker shot from just outside of the box, aiming for the near post. Rando should’ve done better with it, but the ball got past him to even the game at 3-3.

OCB took the lead in the 87th minute when the ball was played around for Solis on the left. The midfielder lifted it forward for Perez, making a diagonal run into the box. The substitute found Mohammed at the penalty spot, and the forward didn’t miss his opportunity, putting it past Rando and into the top corner to give OCB a 4-3 lead.

The fourth official showed five minutes of second-half stoppage time, but it was extended when NYCFC II nearly had a chance. A ball through the box found McFarlane, but Almaguer got there just in time. The midfielder also tried to keep the ball from going out for a corner kick, flipping over the advertising boards and requiring attention.

OCB had a great chance to put the game away in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Haxhari swung and missed on a shot from outside of the box. Perez took control and sprinted the other way. Mohammed made a run through the middle of the field, but NYCFC II was lacking numbers in the back as the hosts were pushing for a late equalizer.

Owusu was the only man back for New York and had to make a decision, eventually leaving Mohammed to close down Perez. He played it across for Mohammed, whose first touch should’ve been a shot on goal. Instead, he took a touch, allowing Bednarsky to catch up. Mohammed cut back and shot, but it was blocked by Rando, ending his chance at scoring a hat trick.

NYCFC II had one last chance in the seventh minute of stoppage time when Ronald Arevalo found Elias sprinting forward. After his first touch, Elias and Medina collided and the referee awarded the hosts a free kick just outside of the box. NYCFC II wanted a penalty, but replays showed the foul occurred just before Elias entered the penalty area.

Jonathan Shore and Maximo Carrizo, a pair of second half substitutes, stood over the ball. Shore stepped over it and Carrizo took the set piece. The attempt went high and wide of the target, ending the last chance of the game. The final whistle blew immediately after the shot and OCB picked up a much-needed road win.

While NYCFC II controlled most of the first half, OCB came to life after Lynn’s first goal of the night. At full time, the Young Lions had more possession (57.1%-42.9%), shots (17-12), crosses (19-11), and passing accuracy (81.8%-72.6%). NYCFC II had more corner kicks (11-4) and both teams put seven shots on target.

This is the second time this season that OCB has come back from a 3-1 deficit to claim all three points. The Young Lions had a similar comeback on July 2 against FC Cincinnati 2, winning that game 5-3 at Osceola County Stadium. The win keeps OCB in fifth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Chicago Fire II and five points ahead of Philadelphia Union II for the seventh and final playoff spot.

After playing three games in eight days, OCB will have two weeks off before welcoming Columbus Crew 2 to Kissimmee on Aug. 27.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made five changes to the team that drew 1-1 against Inter Miami II in Fort Lauderdale Saturday night. First-team regulars Mason Stajduhar, Felipe, and Schlegel joined the lineup, along with Cristian Medina and Alex Freeman. They replaced Javier Otero, Kibunguchy, Zakaria Taifi, Wilfredo Rivera, and Franco Perez — all of whom started the game on the bench.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Stajduhar for this one was Moises Tablante, Salim, Schlegel, and Freeman. Solis, Medina, Felipe, and Imanol Almaguer were in the midfield with Jack Lynn and Shak Mohammed once again making up the striking partnership.

Despite the result, OCB dominated most of the game. The Young Lions were clearly the better team through the first 45 minutes, but fell a man down when Solis was sent off just before halftime. While the visitors took advantage of the extra man, the Young Lions didn’t give up. Perelman made some inspired second-half substitutions, which got the team back to within one goal. Unfortunately, OCB couldn’t find the final equalizer.

OCB got the first good chance of the game off of a turnover in the back by New England. A Freeman foul on Colby Quinones gave the visitors a free kick. Pierre Cayet played it short for Jake Rozhansky, but the midfielder’s heavy touch allowed Lynn to play the ball forward for Felipe. The first-team midfielder was in on goal, but goalkeeper Jacob Jackson got down to block the shot. The ensuing corner kick by Martins found the head of Salim just beyond the back post, but he sent it over the target.

In the 11th minute, Schlegel got his foot to a near-post corner kick by Martins. The ball bounced dangerously across the top of the six-yard box, but nobody could get on the end of it and the ball went harmlessly beyond the far post.

Two minutes later, OCB took a deserved lead. A short corner kick was swung around for Almaguer at the top of the box. The midfielder lifted the ball into into a group of players and Schlegel was the first to it. Payet was on the center back, but slipped, giving Schlegel a free header on goal. The Argentine didn’t miss the opportunity, heading it down and past Jackson to make it 1-0.

The Young Lions dominated the possession and chances, but a mistake in the back allowed the visitors to equalize with their first chance of the game. It started near midfield when Lynn’s heavy touch from a Schlegel pass allowed Rozhansky to take over. Miller made a long run on the far side of the field with neither Salim nor Medina picking him up. Rozhansky played a long ball across, where Miller did well to control it and put it past Stajduhar for the equalizer.

OCB nearly got the lead right back in the 27th minute when Tablante was given plenty of space and sent an excellent ball into the six-yard box. Lynn got behind the Revs II defense, getting his right foot on it in an attempt to redirect the ball into the opposite corner. He did well to volley it towards the opposite post, but the attempt was just wide.

New England took the lead shortly after the first-half hydration break. In the 35th minute, Freeman left Miller alone on the left side of the field and Panayotou played it across for him. Miller’s second touch was a low ball across the box where Adebayo-Smith was making a run. Salim got to the ball first, but his deflection was past Stajduhar for an own goal.

OCB evened the game back up in the 44th minute. Solis played the ball wide for Freeman, whose first touch was a pass in to the six for the oncoming Mohammed. The forward couldn’t reach the pass and the ball bounced off the far post. It was a fortunate bounce for Solis, who continued his run into the box. Nobody was near him and the midfielder calmly passed it in to tie the game at 2-2.

It didn’t take long for New England to respond to the equalizer, retaking the lead two minutes into first-half stoppage time. Rozhansky sent Adebayo-Smith behind the OCB back line, which had stepped up in an attempt to trap him offside. Salim’s arm went up as he looked to the assistant referee, but the flag stayed down. Stajduhar blocked the initial shot, which popped up into the air. Panayotou beat Salim to the free ball, putting it in to give New England a 3-2 lead.

“Offside,” Perelman said about the goal after the game. “There have been a lot of mistakes from the referees. I don’t like to talk about them, but it’s tough. It’s tough, it’s tough.”

Things got worse two minutes into first-half stoppage time for the Young Lions. Lynn played the ball back for Solis with his back to goal, but Olger Escobar slid in to clear it away. Defender Tiago Suarez immediately began demonstrating to the referee that Solis stomped on Escobar while he was on the ground. Alyssa Nichols agreed, showing Solis a red card and putting OCB down to 10 men for the remainder of the game.

That was the last action of the half as the Young Lions went into the break down 3-2. It was a bizarre half as OCB dominated play. The Young Lions ended the first 45 minutes with more possession (56%-44%), shots (9-5), shots on target (4-3), corners (5-0), crosses (4-0), and passing accuracy (91.5%-84.9%). However, some mistakes defensively and a controversial goal by New England saw the Young Lions trailing at halftime.

New England extended its lead four minutes into the second half when Escobar lifted the ball to Bolma, who made a run between Schlegel and Salim. The midfielder’s first touch sent the ball over Stajduhar and was heading in. He would’ve had the goal, but Adebayo-Smith tapped it in just before it reached the line, giving New England a 4-2 advantage.

It got worse for OCB in the 52nd minute when the visitors were awarded a penalty. OCB players felt they had a great chance on goal when a cross in for Lynn resulted in a collision between the striker and Victor Souza. The ball landed at the feet of Felipe, but Nichols called the foul on Lynn.

New England quickly took the set piece forward, and Bolma was sent down the left. Schlegel was the last man back in the OCB box and gave a half-hearted attempt to knock the ball off Bolma as he cut inside. The midfielder went down and Nichols immediately pointed to the spot.

After drawing the penalty, Bolma stepped up to take the kick himself. He sent Stajduhar the wrong way, putting the ball into the right corner of the goal and giving Revolution II a commanding 5-2 lead.

In the 57th minute, Bolma attempted to score his second when he dribbled inside from the right past Schlegel and sent the ball towards the upper corner of the goal. The ball didn’t seem to miss the target by much, sailing just over the crossbar, but Stajduhar looked unconcerned about the shot.

Tablante attempted to get one back for OCB in the 61st minute when a weak clearance landed at his feet about 25 yards out. His shot from long distance took a deflection off of Panayotou, forcing Jackson to dive towards his left post, but the ball went wide.

Down three goals and a man, Perelman made four changes in the next few minutes. The first was a three-player change in the 65th minute, as Rivera, Kibunguchy, and Perez replaced Freeman, Tablante, and Salim. Two minutes later, Lynn came off for Loyola.

“(Perelman) just said, make an impact on the game anyway I can,” Kibunguchy said about the mentality entering the game down three goals and man. “The team needed some energy at the time and I just wanted to give that to keep us going, because the game is never over until the ref blows the whistle.”

It didn’t take long for the attacking substitutes to make an impact on the game, pulling a goal back in the 68th minute. Rivera sent a cross to the top of the six-yard box, where Loyola touched it with the top of his head, directing it into the far corner to cut the deficit to 5-3.

In the 74th minute, the Young Lions cut the New England lead to one. Cayet knocked a throw-in out for a corner kick that was taken by Felipe. The ball was sent into space, where Kibunguchy came charging in. The center back, known for his strong headers, got his left foot to the ball, sending a laser shot inside the far post to make it a 5-4 game.

“We practiced that play a lot during the week,” Kibunguchy said about his goal. “Martin sets us up good for corner kicks, so I had a block for me and I got free and just took my chance.And that’s what corners are about. Taking your chances and getting goals when you need them.”

The Young Lions felt they should’ve had a penalty in the 78th minute when defensive pressure forced substitute Patrick Leal into a turnover. It ended up with Felipe, who sent a long ball forward for Rivera behind the New England back line. Payet caught up with the attacker and there was contact as Rivera went down in the box. Rivera, the OCB bench, and the fans felt there should’ve been a penalty called, but there wasn’t much contact, and Nichols decided it was a fair challenge.

In the 82nd minute, Kibunguchy had a chance for a second goal when Souza conceded a corner kick. Felipe sent the ball into the mixer and Kibunguchy got his head to it. However, he wasn’t able to get it on target, sending it over the crossbar.

The Young Lions had a chance in the 87th minute when Almaguer found Rivera in the box. It looked like the young first-team forward had space for a shot, but couldn’t get around the ball, sending it wide. Perelman made his fifth and final substitution after the miss, bringing on Taifi for Almaguer.

The fourth official showed seven minutes of second-half injury time, a welcome sight for OCB as the team searched for an equalizer. However, it was New England that almost scored four minutes in. Malcolm Fry received the ball on the left with few defenders back and it looked like he’d take it to the corner. Loyola was back, but Fry dribbled inside to beat him and create a shot. Stajduahr did well to come off his line and close down on Fry, getting a piece of the shot to send it wide.

OCB had one final chance to equalize with the last attempt of the game eight minutes into second-half stoppage time. Italo fouled Mohammed just outside of the box and to the right of goal. Felipe took the set piece short to Rivera, who fired towards the far post. Jackson dove to his right as the ball skipped just wide of the post. That was the final touch as Nichols blew the final whistle and OCB fell at home to New England Revolution II.

At full time, OCB had more possession (55.9%-44.1%), shots (17-11), shots on target (7-6), corners (9-3), crosses (15-1), and passing accuracy (88.5%-84.6%). The only statistical advantage New England had was goals scored, but that was enough to take home all three points.

“It’s tough for me to analyze the game. From the tactical perspective, the first 20 minutes we did our job. Then, it’s true that we committed a mistake, two, and received two goals,” Perelman said about the performance. “But we keep going and controlling the game. And we tie the game 2-2. Then the second half, with one player less, they played good, but the team showed that nobody’s going to beat us easily.”

This was only OCB’s second home loss of the season. The Young Lions previously fell 3-0 to Philadelphia Union II on June 28. The loss keeps the Young Lions in fifth in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference, but they fall further behind the teams in front of them as the end of the regular season nears.

OCB will look to bounce back from this loss when the team heads back out on the road, taking on NYCFC II Sunday night.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made two changes to the team that lost 2-1 to New York Red Bulls II on Monday night. Shak Mohammed and Zakaria Taifi re-entered the lineup in place of Cristian Medina and Juninho, neither of whom were on the team sheet this weekend.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero remained the same, with Imanol Almaguer, Abdi Salim, Kibunguchy, and Franco Perez. Moises Tablante, Wilfredo Rivera, Taifi, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, with Mohammed joining Jack Lynn up top.

The first half of this game was very even with both teams having their chances. A poor defensive play by Perez gave the hosts the lead at halftime, but the game changed in the 58th minute with an idiotic play by Israel Boatwright. OCB controlled the remainder of the game, but moved the ball far too slowly against 10 Miami players and had trouble finding the target, allowing the hosts to escape with a draw.

OCB controlled possession early in the game, but it was Inter Miami II that was creating chances, primarily through Lucas Meek. In the second minute, Meek found Shanyder Borgelin just outside of the box and Lawson Sunderland at the top of the box in the sixth minute. In both situations, the shot was well off target.

The Young Lions got their first chance in the ninth minute through Rivera. The midfielder received the ball from Tablante on the right, took a touch inside to find some space from his defender, and fired from distance. It was a good attempt towards the near post, but went just wide.

OCB had another good opportunity to open the scoring in the 15th minute when Solis played a great ball over the top, where it found the head of Rivera. The first-team player redirected the ball towards goal, but couldn’t get over it, sending it over the crossbar.

In the 20th minute, OCB had another pair of chances. Tablante’s initial shot was blocked, but the Young Lions retained possession. It ended up with Mohammed outside of the box and the forward took his own shot. Unfortunately, this one was well off target, enabling Miami to clear.

Inter Miami II nearly took the lead in the 26th minute after Mohammed committed a hard foul on Lawson Sunderland. After drawing the free kick, the Miami captain stepped up to take the set piece from well outside of the box. He went for the near post and the ball appeared to be heading in, but Otero was able to get his hand to it, knocking it off the post and out of play.

The hosts tried to hit OCB on the counter attack in the 31st minute, attacking Almaguer on the right side. But the midfielder-turned-defender was up to the task. The first attempt was taken by Meek, but his shot was blocked. The rebound went to Borgelin, but Almaguer slid in to block that one as well. The second rebound was controlled by the Young Lions, enabling them to clear.

OCB got its first shot on target in the 35th minute when Mohammed lifted the ball for Tablante on the left side of the box. The midfielder controlled the ball and fired on goal, but Inter Miami II goalkeeper Owen Finnerty got down to block it away.

The hosts immediately went the other way, with Alejandro Flores sending a long ball over the top. Felipe Valencia used his body to shield Perez, putting him on the ground and himself in on goal. The forward calmly placed the ball past Otero and into the far corner to give Miami a 1-0 lead.

OCB nearly equalized in the 43rd minute when Lynn made a back-post run. Rivera had the ball outside of the box and sent a curling pass towards the back post, hoping Lynn would run onto it. However, Cesar Abadia-Reda got a foot to the pass, deflecting it out for a corner kick.

The ensuing set piece eventually ended up with Almaguer well outside of the box. Lynn made another back-post run and Almaguer sent an aerial ball in for him. This time Lynn met the cross, attempting to send the header to the opposite post. Unfortunately, he didn’t get much on it and the ball bounced wide.

OCB ended the first half with more possession (58%-42%), crosses (10-2), and corners (1-0), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-77.1%). Inter Miami II had more shots (7-6) and both teams put one attempt on target. However, the hosts converted on theirs, taking a one-goal lead into the break.

Perelman made one change at halftime, bringing on Favian Loyola for Perez. The attacking change meant that Tablante, who started in the midfield, moved to left back. It was an easy shift because Tablante has been playing left back frequently over the past three years.

OCB got off to an attacking second-half start, searching for an equalizer. Inside the first minute of the half, Tablante sent a cross towards the back post that was headed out by Abadia-Reda. The ensuing corner kick ended up with Tablante and the left back dribbled towards goal. He went down, but referee Alejo Calume didn’t see a foul.

In the 49th minute, Sunderland cleared the ball out of play, giving OCB a corner kick. Rivera’s ensuing set piece found the head of a wide open Mohammed between the penalty spot and six-yard box, but the forward’s header was wide.

The Young Lions had another chance in the 53rd minute from another corner kick. It was played around for Tablante on the opposite side of the field and the left back sent a cross towards the top of the six for Lynn. The striker was well defended and couldn’t get his head on the pass.

OCB caught a break in the 58th minute from a stupid decision by Boatwright. Tablante beat Boatwright by megging him. The defender grabbed Tablante’s shirt, pulling him back and the referee called a foul. He was reaching for his yellow card, but Boatwright kicked the ball into Tablante’s face, turning the yellow into a red.

The ensuing set piece didn’t result in anything, but Taifi had an opportunity from just outside of the box two minutes later. However, his shot was just over the crossbar, enabling Miami to clear.

OCB should’ve scored in the 62nd minute when Tablante lifted a ball towards the back post from inside the box. Finnerty got his hand to the ball, knocking it off the crossbar. It went to Mohammed just beyond the back post and the forward found Solis with space around the top of the six-yard box. Solis quickly fired, but fell to his knees as he sent the shot wide.

In the 67th minute, Inter Miami II made a pair of substitutions, bringing Ricardo Montenegro and Miles Perkovich on for Jack Pymm and Valencia. While Pymm quickly left the field, Valencia took his time. MLS NEXT Pro rules state that if a player takes more than 10 seconds to leave the field, the substitute has to wait a minute before entering. As a result, OCB was playing against nine men.

The Young Lions created a pair of corners, unable to take advantage of the two extra players. However, as Perkovich came on and neared the box, Almaguer sent a cross towards the penalty spot. OCB had a numerical advantage since Perkovich had yet to reach the action and it proved to be helpful. Kibunguchy was left alone, heading the ball into the corner to tie the game at 1-1.

The Young Lions kept possession near the Miami box with the hosts desperately defending. However, they broke out on a counter attack in the 77th minute and the numbers forward almost cost the Young Lions. Perkovich and Sunderland sprinted the other way with only two OCB defenders back. Sunderland played it out to Perkovich and made a run, with Perkovich playing it back to him near the top of the box. Fortunately, Taifi got back and reached the ball before Sunderland, knocking it wide.

Miami nearly took the lead in the 83rd minute when second-half substitute Nykolas Sessock sent a cross into the box. Borgelin was making a run and got behind Kibunguchy. He got his foot to the ball, but sent it wide of the far post.

The Young Lions had a pair of opportunities themselves in the 85th minute. A low cross into the box was looking for Lynn, but Tyler Hall did well to get down and reach it before Lynn could get a foot on it. The Young Lions maintained possession and Tablante sent the ball back in from the left. This time it was Finnerty that gathered the ball before it could reach a teammate.

The Young Lions almost scored again in the 90th minute when Mohammed received the ball on the right. He sent a low cross into the six-yard box for Lynn with a defender on his back. The striker was unable to get on the end of the pass, allowing it to go out of play for a goal kick.

Two minutes into second-half injury time, OCB had a chance when Solis played Loyola in the middle of the field. The forward dribbled around a pair of defenders and into the box, finding enough space for a shot on goal. But it was a weak attempt and right at Finnerty.

The Young Lions had one last chance four minutes into stoppage time and felt they should’ve had a penalty. The cross into the box was for Lynn and the striker went down. It looked like he was pulled, but Calume decided not to award the spot kick. Instead, he booked Perelman for dissent. That was the last chance as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. 

OCB ended the 90 minutes with more possession (66.4%-33.6%), shots (20-9), shots on target (4-2), corners (11-3), and crosses (34-3), and better passing accuracy (87.3%-69.1%). The difference in the game was the inability of the Young Lions to hit the target. While Inter Miami II only had seven shots off target, OCB had a disappointing 16 shots off frame.

Per MLS NEXT Pro rules, each team was awarded one point and an extra point being distributed through penalties.

Both teams took quality penalties, beginning with Sunderland, Lynn, and Sessock all converting. The difference came in OCB’s second shot when Solis sent his penalty well over the crossbar. Borgelin, Rivera, Abadia-Reda, and Kibunguchy all scored, giving Meek the opportunity to end it. After going right on the first four shots, only to see the hosts shoot left, Otero went left on Meek’s attempt. The midfielder sent it the opposite direction and Miami took the extra point.

This was the last game between the two sides this season and OCB ends it undefeated against its in-state rivals. The Young Lions won the first two meetings — one in Orlando and one in Miami — and drew this one.

The Young Lions remain in fifth in the MLS NEXT Pro’s Eastern Conference. The draw moves them one point ahead of Philadelphia Union II, who beat NYCFC II 2-0 on Friday night. They also remain in second in the Central Division, now four points ahead of Chicago Fire II.

It will be a short break for OCB, as the Young Lions return home Wednesday evening to face New England Revolution II, which sits two spots ahead in the East.

OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman made three changes from the team that won 3-2 over Chicago Fire II last weekend. Two of the changes were in the back, with Franco Perez and Abdi Salim entering the starting lineup in place of Freeman and Zakaria Taifi. Wilfredo Rivera started in the attack, replacing Shak Mohammed. Freeman, Taifi, and Mohammed were all with the team in New Jersey, starting the game on the bench.

The back line in front of goalkeeper Javier Otero included Imanol Almaguer, Nabi Kibunguchy, Salim, and Perez. Cristian Medina, Tablante, Juninho, and Jhon Solis were in the midfield, while Rivera partnered Jack Lynn up top.

Both teams had stretches where they looked like the better side in this one. OCB was the better team early in each half, but the Red Bulls played their way back into the game, eventually being the more threatening side. In the end, it was poor defending that did OCB in. The first goal came off a bad giveaway by Kibunguchy and the second from a poor challenge by Freeman.

OCB attempted to get off to a quick start, going forward from the kickoff. The ball was played out wide for Tablante, who sent a cross into the box. It bounced through multiple players, eventually ending up with Almaguer, who sent a strong shot towards goal, but it was just wide.

New York had its first chance in the fourth minute when a Kasule pass into the box for Omar Valencia was knocked out of play by Rivera. Kasule took the ensuing corner kick, which was headed away by Lynn. It went to Valencia, who took an ambitious shot from long distance, but he sent it well wide of the goal.

In the 12th minute, Rivera lost the ball near the Red Bulls box and OCB almost paid for the loss of possession. Ronald Donkor sent Carmona down the left and the midfielder sent a cross into the box for Kasule. The attacker found space between the two center backs, but the pass was behind him and Juninho cleared it away.

OCB nearly opened the scoring in the 27th minute when O’Vonte Mullings and Copeland Berkley double-teamed Solis near the end line and the OCB midfielder won a corner kick. Kibunguchy was left unmarked on Rivera’s ensuing set piece, meeting the cross with his head. The center back redirected the ball towards goal, but sent it just wide.

In the 32nd minute, a bad giveaway in the back by OCB resulted in the game’s first goal. Kibunguchy attempted to play the ball up the left sideline, but sent it into the chest of Mullings. The attacker did well to control the ball and sent it across for Carmona. No OCB defenders stepped up to challenge the midfielder about 30 yards from goal, so he took a shot. Otero’s view might have been slightly obstructed by multiple players, and the ball went into the corner to give New York a 1-0 lead.

Both teams had a chance to score in the 38th minute. Donkor first found Mullings in the box. Salim got in front of the Red Bulls’ shot, blocking it to Perez, and the defender sent it forward, where Lynn flicked it on for Solis. Rivera was sprinting down the middle of the field unmarked and Solis played it between two defenders, but could not get it to his teammate.

OCB had another chance to equalize in the 40th minute when Matthew Nocita fouled Lynn near the Red Bulls box. Juninho stepped up to take the set piece, attempting to curl the ball inside the near post. He didn’t miss the target by much, but the shot was wide.

Two minutes into first-half stoppage time, Otero was too casual with the ball and almost conceded a second goal. Standing with the ball at his feet, Carmona challenged the goalkeeper. Otero tried to tap the ball past him, but Carmona blocked it to Frank Ssebufu. The striker took a first-touch shot from outside of the box, sending it off the post.

Salim cleared the ball, but New York retained possession. An eventual cross was cleared away by Almaguer and OCB went the other way. Solis nearly lost the ball at midfield, but was able to find Rivera. The attacker created space for a shot, sending it straight into the arms of AJ Marcucci. That was the last action of the first half as OCB went into the break down 1-0.

OCB ended the first half with more possession (57%-43%), but Red Bulls II had more chances, outshooting the Young Lions, 5-4. New York had more corners (2-1) and crosses (10-2), while OCB had better passing accuracy (75%-72.7%). Both teams put one shot on target, with Red Bulls II putting its accurate shot in for the lone first-half goal.

The Young Lions got the second half off to the best possible start. While Juninho thought he’d been fouled and was arguing with the referee, Solis beat Stroud and sent a curling ball with the outside of his right foot for Tablante making a run. Marcucci came way out of his box to clear it, but Tablante got to the ball first, tapping it around the goalkeeper. All Tablante had to do was send an accurate ball on goal, which he did, evening the game at 1-1.

OCB nearly had another chance in the 50th minute when Davi Alexandre’s pass to Stroud was blocked by Juninho. The ball went forward to Lynn, who played it back to Juninho and made a run behind the back line. Juninho sent Lynn through on goal, but he didn’t get the ball off his foot quick enough, and Lynn was ruled offside.

In the 54th minute, Carmona sent Ssebufu down the right. The striker sent a low cross towards the back post, where Donkor was making a run unmarked. It would’ve been a tap-in for Donkor, but Otero jumped off his line to snatch the ball before it could reach him.

A minute later, a poor clearance by Otero gave Mullings possession in the OCB third of the field. His low cross towards the top of the box was left by Kasule for Carmona near the penalty spot. Fortunately, Carmona was unable to get over the ball, sending it well over the target.

OCB had a chance to take its first lead in the 58th minute when Juninho’s long shot was blocked out of play by Berkley for a goal kick. Tablante’s ensuing set piece was flicked on by the heel of Lynn to Perez, who was waiting at the top of the six-yard box. But the defender couldn’t get his foot to it and the Young Lions just missed a second goal.

Perelman made his first change of the game in the 66th minute, as Freeman came into the game for Rivera. Usually the starting right back, Freeman moved into the midfield in front of Perez.

New York retook the lead in the 75th minute when Carmona’s pass to Valencia split a pair of OCB defenders. Freeman was caught in a bad position, but stuck a leg out in an attempt to knock the ball away. Valencia went down and referee Austin Saini immediately pointed to the spot.

It initially looked like Carmona would take the penalty, but Kasule took it instead. Otero dove to his left, but Kasule put the ball right down the middle and in to give Red Bulls II a 2-1 lead.

Needing a goal with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, Perelman made his second change an attacking one, as Mohammed came into the game for Perez. As a result, Freeman dropped back into his natural right back role.

New York nearly had an opportunity at a third goal in the 83rd minute when Mullings played the ball around Tablante to himself and beat Medina to the end line. He sent a low cross to the near post where Mohammed Sofo was making a run. However, Salim slid in to knock the ball out of play before it could reach Sofo, likely saving a goal.

Perelman made his third and final change in the 87th minute with Favian Loyola coming on for Lynn. It was a frustrating night for the MLS NEXT Pro’s leading goal scorer, as Lynn was unable to create many chances.

The fourth official displayed three minutes of second-half stoppage time, but the teams could only combine for one shot in the dying moments, a Sofo attempt that was well off target. OCB attempted to lift balls into the box, but couldn’t connect and lost the match.

The second half was similar to the first, with OCB ending the game with more possession (54.9%-45.1%) and New York with more shots (9-8). The hosts had more crosses (18-8) and the Young Lions had better passing accuracy (74.8%-72.8%). Both teams had four corner kicks and two shots on target.

OCB and Red Bulls II were tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference heading into this game. The result sees the Young Lions drop to fifth with just eight games remaining in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. Seven teams make the postseason and OCB is currently five points ahead of Huntsville City FC for that final spot in the East.

The Young Lions will have a short week as they continue their road trip Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium against Inter Miami II.

“I think it was a really tough match for us,” OCB Head Coach Martin Perelman said after the game. “We faced a really good team. They press really well. We knew that. It’s so hard to play against them. But fortunately we were able to keep the three points. I believe the players had a good game. They had a good performance.”

Perelman’s starting lineup featured Javier Otero in goal behind a back line of Moises Tablante, Nabi Kibunguchy, Zakaria Taifi, and Alex Freeman. Cristian Medina played as a lone No. 6 in front of the back line, behind a midfield line of Jhon Solis, Juninho, Imanol Almaguer, and Shak Mohammed, with Lynn up top.

The match was fairly open from the start. Freeman got the first look at goal when he was send down the right side of the box in the second minute by Mohammed. The fullback hit his shot too close to goalkeeper Mihajlo Miskovic, who stuck out a foot to make the save.

Chicago then won a couple of corners but could do nothing with them.

The Young Lions grabbed the lead in the 10th minute. Almaguer ended up with the ball about 25 yards out from goal on the right side. He spotted Lynn making a run toward the back post and curled a beautiful cross in for Lynn to nod home. It was Lynn’s 11th goal of the season, putting him back in the Golden Boot race.

Lynn tried to make it 2-0 in the 17th minute but had his shot blocked.

Chicago nearly pulled the early OCB goal back a moments later. A slip by an Orlando City defender gave Omari Glasgow a breakaway. Otero came off his line and blocked Glasgow’s shot with his face to preserve the lead in the 18th minute. Two minutes later, the Young Lions gave the ball away inside their own penalty area while trying to play out of the back, but Hency turned and fired his shot just high and wide of the right post.

The Fire were forced to make a change in the 27th minute as defender Andreas Ueland picked up a knock and was replaced by Eric Leonard.

Two minutes later, the Young Lions came within inches of scoring twice. Juninho burst down the left side of the penalty area and fired a shot that Miskovic got a piece of but it got through him. The ball hit the right post and stayed out. Seconds later, the ball was sent in for Lynn, who headed it off the crossbar and Freeman tried to follow but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

Those misses were costly, as Chicago tied the match in the 35th minute. Kibunguchy got caught too high and he slipped, giving Fire FC II a transition opportunity. Freeman was also caught up field, so Chicago had two attackers on three defenders, but OCB wasn’t able to retain its defensive shape in transition. Charlie Ostrem had an easy pass across the box to Hency, who fired past Otero to make it 1-1.

“We had some mistakes, especially on defense that we paid (for) with goals,” Perelman said. “We missed a lot of opportunities for goals as well, but again, the players showed great heart to turn around the game and I really appreciate that, and we are so happy.”

Hency should have put Chicago up two minutes after his goal. The Fire roasted OCB’s high defensive line and had a 2-v-1 opportunity. Glasgow fed Hency from right to left but the shot missed the net. A minute after that, Glasgow had a shot blocked at the top of the area as Chicago stayed on the attack.

The Young Lions got back on the attack late in the half. Medina had a shot blocked from outside the area in the 41st minute, and moments later, Almaguer fired a shot in that was right at Miskovic. Mohammed had the last look of the half in the third minute of stoppage time. He streaked down the right side of the box but fired right at Miskovic at the near post, when he probably had a better option to cross it for Lynn.

The teams went to the break even at 1-1 and both could be considered fortunate not to be trailing.

OCB dominated possession in the first half (63%-37%), largely because Chicago was content to try to win the ball back and hit on the break. The Young Lions had more shots (8-7), shots on goal (5-2), corners (3-2), and passing accuracy (83.9%-71.4%).

OCB won a couple of quick corners to start the second half, but got burned on the second one. A high ball into the area was caught by Miskovic, who didn’t have to worry about Kibunguchy, who got wrapped up and bearhugged by a Chicago player. That enabled the Fire to break and it ended up down the right on Glasgow’s foot. He crossed for Prpa to finish, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead in the 50th minute (the announcer thought it was Hency, but it was Prpa).

Juninho tried to pull the goal right back all on his own. He dribbled from the midfield line all the way to the top of the area through multiple Chicago defenders. Once he got there, rather than even looking at his other options, he fired a shot that wasn’t directly at Miskovic, but it was close enough to the Chicago keeper to make for a comfortable save.

Perelman sent on Wilfredo Rivera and Abdi Salim for Mohammed and Freeman in the 54th minute, trying get his team back in the match. For Salim, it was his first action since sustaining a knee injury on May 19. Favian Loyola then replaced Taifi in the 64th for more attacking presence.

Just a minute after Loyola entered the match, OCB tied the game. The play started with a giveaway by Chicago, but it was yet another good individual effort by Juninho that allowed the Young Lions to level the game. He was surrounded just inside the top of the box but managed to fight through traffic and get the ball onto his right foot, blasting it past Miskovic to make it 2-2 in the 65th minute.

Just seconds after Juninho’s goal, Chicago got a good look. Prpa cut in from the right onto his left foot and sent a shot on target but sent it right at Otero. Two minutes later, Chicago again went on the break after OCB turned over the ball and a good cross nearly found Prpa, who collided with Otero and a foul was called on Chicago. Prpa had to leave the match for a concussion substitution.

Lynn got a few good looks just past the 70-minute mark and one eventually paid off. The first took place in the 71st minute when Tablante did well to get down the left side and fired in a cross that Lynn pegged for the inside of the near post. Miskovic got just enough of it to send it wide for a corner. Another cross off the ensuing set piece came to Lynn in front but it was just behind him and hit off his heel.

Lynn scored his second goal on an almost identical play to the one Miskovic stopped a minute earlier. Tablante got to the end line and fizzed a good, low cross into the box to Lynn at the near post. This time, Lynn was able to get more power on his shot and gave OCB the lead in the 72nd minute. It was Lynn’s 12th of the year, momentarily pushing him past Atlanta’s Nick Firmino for the Golden Boot lead.

“You always like scoring,” Lynn said. “Two crosses with Moises and Ima. It’s something we work on a lot in training, so it’s good to see those patterns we work on a lot in training come to fruition in games.”

“I’m happy for him,” Perelman said of Lynn’s performance. “He really wants to become the Golden Boot (winner) and I think he’s going to make it with his talent and with the help of the team that is doing a great job with him. He’s momentarily the top scorer in the league and I wish that he can finish like this the season. It’s important for him and for the team.”

OCB tried to put the game away just after taking the lead. A scramble in front in the 75th minute deflected high off the leg of Miskovic and nearly went in. A try on the other side of the net from a tight angle ended up going over the crossbar and out of play. In the 77th minute, Tablante did well to beat a man on the end line, bringing the ball into the area. He picked out Rivera near the top of the box but the Homegrown Player’s shot went high over the net. Loyola then forced a Miskovic save in the 78th minute.

From that point on, OCB just tried to survive, facing a series of set pieces. Chicago wasn’t able to do much with them, but did fashion a shot off a short corner in the 83rd minute. Noeh Hernandez curled in a left-footed shot that skipped in front of Otero. The OCB goalkeeper spilled it but regathered before a Fire II player could arrive.

Hernandez had a second chance in stoppage time after a foul was called on Solis. The free kick was from just outside the box on the right side. Hernandez curled a shot just over the bar in the 93rd minute. That was the last look for either side and OCB held on for the win.

OCB finished with the advantage in possession (58.8%-41.2%), shots (18-12), shots on target (11-5), corners (9-5), and passing accuracy (85.2%-75.3%). Despite such a lopsided statistical advantage, the Young Lions had to white knuckle it through the final minutes to preserve their lead.

The win momentarily lifts OCB to fourth in the Eastern Conference and second in the Central Division.

“I thought we played really well,” Lynn said. “We created a lot of chances, scored a few goals from them, and got punished twice in behind, which is something that we knew they were good at and we knew they were going to look for. But ultimately, I think we were able to put a lot of our chances away and win the game, so that was good.”

“We want to achieve a game that we can keep solid a clean sheet but we are not achieving that. That’s the truth,” Perelman said. “But despite that, the players are doing a good job. They are pushing. They never give up. At the end of the day they win and they turned around a result one more time here at home. We want to level up the players in a winning environment, with a good identity and I believe we are doing that job and I’m happy for our club.”

The Young Lions will be back in action Monday, July 31, when they visit New York Red Bulls II at 7 p.m.