Orlando City B will return to action this weekend after being off for two weeks. They host the Charlotte Independence at Orlando City Stadium at 7:30pm on Saturday night for their tenth match of the season.
Orlando City B is 3-3-3 in the nine matches played so far this season. Their last game was a huge victory over FC Cincinnati on the road. Cincinnati has been revered as one of the best atmospheres in USL, and attendance at the match was 19,310. Still, the Lions shutout the home team, winning the match 2-0 thanks to goals from Pierre Da Silva and Richie Laryea. Earl Edwards Jr. earned his third clean sheet in a row.
Richie Laryea leads the team so far this season in goals, with three on the year. Albert Dikwa, who was signed by OCB in the offseason, has scored two goals in his nine appearances this season. Dikwa, along with left back Jules Youmeni, was signed out of Montverde Academy in the offseason.
Earl Edwards Jr. has found a home with Orlando City B. While still signed to an MLS contract, he spends most of his time playing in the USL and has found a lot of success in recent matches. Three clean sheets in a row is no small feat.
OCB sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. But unlike MLS, USL teams have all played vastly different amounts of matches. For example, in MLS the biggest difference within the Eastern Conference in terms of games played is between 11 and 13. Meanwhile, in the USL, teams have played anywhere from 6 to 11 matches.
The Charlotte Independence, the team which OCB will host this weekend, is practically at the bottom of the Eastern Conference Standings. However, they have only played six matches. Even though they have accumulated fewer points, they have the same win-loss-draw percentage as OCB. Their record is 2-2-2.
Currently, the Charleston Battery are the best team in the Eastern Conference with 20 points in nine matches. They have lost just once this year, with an overall record of 6-1-2.
OCB host the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, May 27th at 7:30pm. For tickets to the match, click here.
