MONTCLAIR, N.J. (July 21, 2024) – Orlando City B (4-5-8, 24 points) and New York Red Bulls II (7-7-4, 28 points) played to a 1-1 draw at MSU Soccer Park on Sunday night. The Lions would drop the ensuing end-of-regulation shootout 8-7, still taking away a point on the evening.
After going down 1-0 in the 58th minute, Orlando City B picked up some momentum when Red Bulls’ defender Copeland Berkley picked up his second yellow card, giving the Lions a man advantage for the final 20 minutes of the match. Just before the end of stoppage time, second-half substitute Justin Ellis scored his second goal of the season to send the game to the end-of-regulation shootout. Alex Freeman picked up his team-leading fifth assist on the late equalizer.
Alex Freeman, Shak Mohammed, Favian Loyola, Justin Ellis, Imanol Almaguer, Bernardo Goncalves, and Thomas Williams all scored, and Carlos Mercado made one save in the shootout.
The Lions will continue their road trip on Saturday, July 27, when they travel to Finley Stadium for the second time this year to take on Chattanooga FC. That matchup will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Scoring Summary:
58’ Tanner Rosborough – RBNY 1, ORL 0
Right before the 60-minute mark, the home team broke the scoreless draw with a goal from forward Tanner Rosborough. In a hectic sequence in front of the Orlando net, Red Bulls II’s Mohammed Sofo chipped a shot over OCB goalkeeper Carlos Mercado that hit off the far post. The ball rebounded right to Rosborough, who sent a shot into the roof of the net for the first goal of the match.
90+4’ Justin Ellis (Alex Freeman) – ORL 1, RBNY 1
With just a few moments left in stoppage time, Orlando City B got its equalizer. Defender Alex Freeman pushed ahead for the Lions through the middle of the field before passing off to second-half substitute Justin Ellis. The forward weaved his way through the Red Bulls’ defense and ripped a shot from outside the box into the back of the net.
Match Notes:
- Forward Yutaro Tsukada made his 11th start on the season, his first since June 2 against Inter Miami CF II.
- Forward Justin Ellis scored his second goal of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with the late equalizer.
- Homegrown defender Alex Freeman notched his team-leading fifth assist of the year on the Ellis tally.
- Head Coach Manuel Goldberg made two changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Inter Miami CF II, with Yutaro Tsukada and Wilfredo Rivera returning to the lineup.
