KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Aug. 29, 2022) - Orlando City B (6-10-5, 25 points) battled to a 2-2 draw on Monday night against FC Cincinnati 2 (4-14-3, 17 points) at Osceola County Stadium, eventually falling in the end-of-regulation shootout to keep its points earned at one.
The match saw Favian Loyola score a brace for the second time this campaign, now with five goals for Orlando City B this season. After playing in the league on an Academy contract thus far, it was announced earlier this afternoon that Loyola had inked an MLS NEXT Pro contract with the Club.
Victor Yan and Mikey Halliday each earned assists on the night, the former recording his second of the season and the latter the first of his professional career.
The Lions will return to action on Friday, Sept. 2, traveling to take on New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium in a 5:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
Orlando City B Head Coach Martín Perelman:
“It was a tough game. I think we had a good first half, we created many situations to score. Again, we couldn’t put the ball inside the goal and then we suffered. We made some mistakes in the second half and played to the draw, then penalties are penalties, but we earned the draw so it’s okay.”
Scoring Summary:
14’ Favian Loyola (Victor Yan) - OCB 1, CIN 0
The Lions opened the scoring with Mikey Halliday and Victor Yan combining down the right flank, with Yan eventually cutting a ball back across the face of goal to find Favian Loyola at the center of the area to send in the finish.
54’ Calvin Harris - OCB 1, CIN 1
The visitors leveled on the counter-attack, with Nick Markanich striking a ball that was initially saved by Orlando City B goalkeeper Javier Otero. The rebound fell to the head of Calvin Harris however, who was able to net the equalizer.
56’ Nick Markanich (Morgan Marshall) - CIN 2, OCB 1
Cincinnati quickly took the lead with a ball from Morgan Marshall finding Nick Markanich in the area for the finish.
60’ Favian Loyola (Mikey Halliday) - OCB 2, CIN 2
Orlando answered just four minutes later, with Mikey Halliday tapping a ball to Favian Loyola in the area, who roofed a left-footed shot to secure the brace on the evening.
Match Notes:
- Favian Loyola scored his fourth and fifth goals in MLS NEXT Pro this campaign, marking his second multi-goal performance of the season.
- Mikey Halliday earned his first professional assist in the match.
- Victor Yan tallied his second assist for the Lions on Loyola’s first half finish.
- Head Coach Martín Perelman made two changes to his starting lineup from the side’s last match, with Mikey Halliday and Alejandro Granados re-entering for the Lions.
Next Match: Orlando City B returns to action on Friday, Sept. 2, traveling to take on New England Revolution II in a 5:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Gillette Stadium.
