Orlando City B (4-6-8, 24 points) at Carolina Core FC (5-8-4, 28 points)
When: Saturday, August 3, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Truist Point, High Point, NC
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Not So Scenic City
Orlando City B continued its three-game road trip last Sunday when they visited Finley Stadium to take on Chattanooga FC. This match served as the second time the Lions played in Chattanooga, with the previous meeting being a 1-1 decision with the home side taking the extra point by winning the end-of-regulation shootout 5-4. The young Lions faced a tougher outing this time around, falling to Chattanooga FC 1-0 on the night. After a scoreless first half, Chattanooga captain Alex McGrath found the back of the net in the 57th minute for the game-winner. Orlando City defender Luca Petrasso made his season debut in the match after spending the first half of the 2024 campaign on loan at Triestina in Italy.
Going Fox Hunting
The young Lions have become very familiar with newcomers Carolina Core FC in their first two contests. The two sides will meet for the third and final time in 2024 in the span of two months on Saturday night. The match will be the first trip to Truist Point for Orlando City B in Club history. The Foxes have gotten the best out of the Lions in the first two matchups, taking four points to Orlando’s two. Carolina won the last match at Osceola Heritage Park by a 2-1 scoreline on July 7 and the Lions will look to return the favor on the road. Orlando City has a 2-3-4 record away from home while Carolina Core has a 2-3-0 record in High Point.
Pushing the Attack
Orlando City B is not a team known to push the pace of a match, but when they do, one man is usually at the center of it. Midfielder Jhon Solís has been a force this season for the Lions with the ball at his feet. The Colombian is tied for seventh in MLS NEXT Pro in attacking assists with 35 and has helped push the Lions’ attack forward when the time calls for it. Solís is also fifth on the Club with a passing percentage of 87.2% among those with at least 600 pass attempts.
Making It Count
The Lions have been fortunate this season to get production from their bench when called upon. Forwards Favian Loyola and Justin Ellis have cemented themselves as viable attacking threats when they enter the game. Loyola has appeared in 15 of Orlando City B’s 18 matches with 12 appearances off the bench while Ellis has 13 appearances, coming in as a substitute 10 times to date. Both forwards are threats in terms of attacking production with two goals apiece, which is tied for first among players with at least 10 sub appearances but less than five starts. Both have been efficient with their shots, with Loyola scoring his two goals on six shots on target and Ellis with two goals on four shots on target.
