KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2022) - Orlando City B (6-13-5, 25 points) fell 2-1 to Toronto FC II (12-9-3, 41 points) in a hard fought match at Osceola Heritage Park on Sunday afternoon in what served as the Lions’ 2022 MLS NEXT Pro season finale.
The Lions played to an even nil-nil draw going into the half, with both teams holding strong defensively, allowing only a handful of chances in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, the Lions came out strong scoring first in the 55th minute. OCB managed to hold Toronto off with some strong defensive efforts, including some key saves from Orlando City First Team goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar. Toronto however continued to press and found the back of the net twice within the last five minutes of the match to give them the victory on Decision Day.
Orlando City B Head Coach Martín Perelman:
“[We’re] upset. I think we did a good job being limited with our amount of players, but even with that I think we played a great game. We controlled the game, we should have won, but we lost on two mistakes.”
Scoring Summary:
55’ Moises Tablante (Victor Yan) - OCB 1, TOR 0
The Lions got on the board with Victor Yan picking up a turnover in the attacking third and driving into the box before sending the ball across the front of the net to a wide open Moises Tablante for the tap-in finish.
86’ Reshaun Walkes (Markus Cimermancic) - OCB 1 - TOR 1
Toronto pulled level with some tight passes inside the box to a wide open Reshaun Walkes, who was able to take a shot inside the box, taking a deflection before going into the back of the net.
90’ Kobe Franklin OCB 1 - TOR 2
TFC II secured the go-ahead goal following a corner kick. After an initial clearance, Kobe Franklin took the ball off the half volley at the edge of the area to smash it into the back of the net.
Match Notes:
- Moises Tablante netted his sixth goal of the campaign to match Favian Loyola for second on the Lions this campaign.
- Victor Yan added his third assist in 2022.
- Midfielder Jared Romero made his second-consecutive start in as many appearances for the Lions.
- Head Coach Martín Perelman made six changes to his starting lineup from the Lions’ last match, with First Team players Mason Stajduhar and Mikey Halliday getting the nod, as well as Erick Gunera, Diego Pareja, Moises Tablante and Tyler Prebenda.
