Orlando City B (11-7-9, 46 points) at FC Cincinnati 2 (15-8-4, 41 points)
When: Sunday, October 6, 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Going Back-To-Back
With a 3-0 win over Chicago Fire FC II on September 23, Orlando City B clinched its spot in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs for the second consecutive season. The young Lions missed out on the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro playoffs in 2022 but bounced back in 2023, finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference with 46 points. OCB had a tough summer stretch in June and July, going 0-3-5 and falling below the playoff line. Since August, however, the Lions have put together an impressive stretch, going 7-1-1, including four wins in a row heading into Decision Day.
Kings of the Queen City
The young Lions will end their regular season on the road to take on FC Cincinnati 2 on Decision Day and will look to continue their run of success against the Ohio-based squad. OCB comes into the match with an all-time record of 4-1-1 over FC Cincinnati 2 and has gone unbeaten over the last five matches. The Lions are also 2-0-0 on the road against Cincinnati and have outscored them 10-6 in those matches. FC Cincinnati 2, however, comes into the match fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and has proven to have a tough defense, giving up only 33 goals all season.
Cream of the Crop
Orlando City B may be the hottest team in MLS NEXT Pro heading into the playoffs and their most recent accolades are enough to prove it. The Lions were voted as MLS NEXT Pro’s Team of the Month for September. The Club went 4-0-0 during the month while outscoring teams 9-2 and quickly rose in the Eastern Conference standings. Defender Alex Freeman was also voted MLS NEXT Pro’s Player of the Month for September. The Orlando City Academy product has scored four goals and recorded three assists during the Club’s run in the month. Freeman is tied for second on the team with seven goals while also leading the Club with nine assists. His assist total is also the second most in MLS NEXT Pro this season.
Playoff Scenarios
OCB still has a lot to fight for on Decision Day. With 46 points, the Lions can’t finish higher than third in the Eastern Conference, but where they will fall exactly will come down to the final day. Only three points separate OCB and eighth-place Carolina Core FC, so a strong finish is a must if the Lions want to stay in the top four and host a playoff match in the first round of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. A win will lock the Lions in third place in the Eastern Conference no matter what. Two points will secure anywhere between third and sixth place. Any other result will leave their fate up in the air and depend on the rest of the matches on Sunday afternoon.
