KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Orlando City B (3-1-1, 11 points) extended its home unbeaten streak to three games to start the season with a 2-2 draw against NYCFC II. The Lions would go on and earn the extra point in a shootout using kicks from the penalty mark with goalkeeper Javier Otero making two saves during it and the Lions winning 8-7 in penalty kicks.
City was backed by a first-half brace from defender Nabi Kibunguchy who was able to find the back of the net on set pieces both times. Midfielder Cristian Medina earned the assist on the second finish by Kibunguchy on a corner kick. The two goals are the first two he has scored this season and the first two he has scored while donning the Orlando City B jersey. Along with the two goals, Kibunguchy played the entire match making him and City captain Juninho the only two players on the team to have played in every minute so far this season.
This was the first shootout of the season for the Lions following the 2-2 draw in regulation. Goalkeeper Javier Otero stepped up big making two saves to help earn the extra point. Otero also made two saves in regulation to help keep the squad in the match.
With the draw, the Lions now maintain their unbeaten record at Osceola County Stadium having now taken two victories and a draw through three matches at home. The draw also saw the Lions extend their unbeaten streak against NYCFC II to four games dating back to last season where they earned two draws and a victory over their conference foe.
Scoring Summary:
21’ Nabi Kibunguchy – ORL 1, NYC 0
City opened the scoring with a ball lobbed into the box and City defender Alex Freeman getting on the end of it and heading the ball over the NYCFC II goalkeeper and finding an open Nabi Kibunguchy right in front of goal who made no mistake on the finish with his head and gave the Lions the lead.
27’ Nabi Kibunguchy (Cristian Medina) – ORL 2, NYC 0
The Lions extended their lead with Cristian Medina swinging in a corner kick that found an unmarked Kibunguchy at the penalty spot. Kibunguchy whipped his head at the ball and got enough pace on it to put it in the back of the net for his second of the match.
45+1 Samuel Owusu (John Denis) – ORL 2, NYC 1
The visitors answered with a corner kick sent in from John Denis and finding the foot of Samuel Owusu who struck the ball cleanly on the volley with his right foot and into the back of the net, leaving City goalkeeper Javier Otero no chance at a save.
82’ Nicholas Benalcazar – ORL 2, NYC 2
NYCFC II leveled the match after a direct free kick was struck from deep outside that box that hit the crossbar and fell into a crowded box. Steven Bednarsky was able to get to the ball first and head the ball into the goal.
Match Notes:
- Nabi Kibunguchy recorded his first two goals of the season with his first-half brace.
- Cristian Medina tallied his second assist of the season with his helper on the corner kick goal in the 27th minute.
- The match served as the Lions first shootout using kicks from the penalty mark of the season. Their last victory in a shootout came on April 24, 2022, against the New England Revolution II.
- City extended their unbeaten streak against NYCFC II to four games dating back to the 2022 campaign. They are currently 1-0-3 in the last four matches between the two sides.
- The Lions are now unbeaten at Osceola County Stadium to start the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season. They have picked up wins against Huntsville City FC and intrastate rivals Inter Miami to go along with their draw against NYCFC II
Next Match: The Lions are set to welcome Toronto FC II to Osceola County Stadium on Sunday, April 30. Kickoff for the match is set for 6 p.m. ET.
