HIGH POINT, N.C. (Aug. 3, 2024) – Orlando City B (5-6-8, 27 points) ended its three-game road trip with a 2-1 win over Carolina Core FC (5-9-4, 22 points) at Truist Point on Saturday night. Forward Shak Mohammed scored the game-winning goal in the 45th minute of the match. The score also extended Mohammed’s team lead for goals with eight.
Making his first career MLS NEXT Pro start, defender Jackson Platts opened the scoring with his first career goal in the 22nd minute. Luca Petrasso picked up his first assist of the 2024 season on the Platts finish.
After picking up a red card just before the end of the first half, the Lions played down a man the majority of the second half. Carolina Core FC would pick up a second yellow card late in the match and the final eight minutes plus stoppage time were played with both sides down a player.
Orlando City Academy project Juan Quevedo made his MLS NEXT Pro debut after coming on as a second-half substitute.
The Lions will return home to Osceola County Stadium for the first time since July 14, when they take on Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, Aug. 11. That matchup will kick off at 5 p.m. ET and will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
22’ Jackson Platts (Luca Petrasso) – ORL 1, CCFC 0
After spending much of the first half on defense, Orlando City B broke through first with Jackson Platts’ first career goal. Wilfredo Rivera gained control near midfield and led Luca Petrasso down the left wing behind the Carolina defense. After taking a touch in the box, Petrasso took advantage of goalkeeper Alex Sutton being off his line and sent a cross to the back post to Platts who punched in the opening goal of the match.
45’ Shak Mohammed (Favian Loyola) – ORL 2, CCFC 0
Just before the end of the half, the Lions doubled their lead on a counterattack. Rivera gained control yet again and sent Favian Loyola up the field. OCB had a two-on-one opportunity and Loyola led Shak Mohammed into an open space before taking two touches and drilling a shot from outside the box into the back of the net.
78’ David Polanco (Luis Lugo) – ORL 2, CCFC 1
The Foxes cut into the Lions’ lead with a header from second-half substitute David Polanco. The home side put the pressure on OCB with Luis Lugo dribbling through the defense on the outside of the field. Lugo crossed the ball into the box to Polanco who got his head on the ball and directed it past goalkeeper Carlos Mercado.
Match Notes:
- Defender Jackson Platts made the first MLS NEXT Pro start of his professional career.
- Getting the start in net, goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made his 10th start of the 2024 season.
- Jackson Platts scored his first career goal on the opening score in the 22nd minute.
- Luca Petrasso recorded his first assist of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season on the Platts finish.
- Shak Mohammed scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season and first since July 7, also against Carolina Core FC.
- Coming in as a second-half substitute, Juan Quevedo made his MLS NEXT Pro debut.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made four changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Chattanooga FC with Jackson Platts, Tahir Reid-Brown, Favian Loyola and Shak Mohammed all getting the starting nod.
