Orlando City B (7-7-9, 34 points) vs Huntsville City FC (6-11-5, 23 points)
When: Sunday, September 1, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Fla.
TV: MLSNextPro.com (free)
Defending The Den
The Lions return to Osceola County Stadium to take on Huntsville City FC for the third and final time this season. OCB is 2-0-0 at home against the Boys in Blue since the two clubs began playing each other in 2023. In their last match at home, the young Lions set a season-high in goals scored in the 5-0 victory. Forward Yeiler Valencia scored two goals in the second half to lead the way for OCB. The five-point margin of victory is the highest margin for the Club since a 6-0 win over Inter Miami CF II in May 2022.
City Lights Too Bright
Orlando City B fell to New York City FC II in a 5-2 road matchup on Wednesday night. The loss marked the first time in Club history that NYCFC II has beaten the Lions since joining MLS NEXT Pro in 2022. The young Lions fought back twice from a two-goal deficit to get into striking distance but were unable to get over the hump. Defender Alex Freeman scored in the 83rd minute of the match to breathe new life into the Club, but two second half stoppage-time goals for NYCFC II ended any comeback hopes for OCB.
Streak Stopper
Huntsville City FC has been near the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference but comes into the match against Orlando City B on a four-game unbeaten streak and winners of their last three in a row. The young Lions are no strangers to putting an end to unbeaten streaks recently. In its last match at Osceola County Stadium, OCB snapped a nine-game road unbeaten streak from New York City FC II in a 3-2 decision.
Fighting to the End
Despite the 5-2 loss to NYCFC II, the Lions’ playoff hopes remain strong, but with five games left in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season they will need to finish out strong. OCB currently sits in ninth place in the Eastern Conference but can easily rise or fall in the standings. Only five points separates the Lions from fourth-place New York City and just one point from the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs spots. OCB is only one point ahead of New York Red Bulls II and three points ahead of Carolina Core FC. The Lions are 2-0-2 so far against the remaining five teams on their schedule, with three matches against teams currently sitting above them in the standings.
