Orlando City B turns on the tough against Inter Miami CF II | OneFootball

The 4-4 draw at the end of regulation doesn’t begin to tell the story of the strength of Orlando City B and the success of the players’ development.

The Lions of Orlando City B were riding on a high after their comeback 3-2 victory. But that was coming back from a two-goal deficit. Then they faced Inter Miami CF II.

The Miami squad ran this match’s deficit to four goals, scoring twice in the opening five minutes. The Lions didn’t start crawling back until the 37th minute.

That’s when forward Pedro Leao netted a ball. But the Herons got their two-score advantage back just a minute later.

Miami goalkeeper Max Ponikarovsky left with a concussion, replaced by Alex Padilla. But the Herons still weren’t done.

Early in the second half, Miami got the fourth goal. That’s when the OCB resolved to sharpen its game strategy.

They needed to turn on the kind of relentless strength they brought in their first win of the season against Chicago Fire II. That was a hard-fought 2-1 win.

Justin Ellis and Gustavo Caraballo scored to lower the Lions’ deficit to one.  Then, replacement keeper Padilla suffered an injury, and Herons defender Alejo Ristano took over in goal.

Minutes later, Caraballo got the call to take a corner kick. He treated OCB supporters to an olimpico – that rare soccer goal that goes in the net without any player on the pitch touching it.

The olimpico requires a shot of immense speed and accuracy to bend the ball into the net. Caraballo got the conditions right and sent the Lions and Herons to a shootout.

Caraballo, Ellis, Harvey Sarajian, and defender Parker Amoo-Mensah all converted their shootout attempts. But it takes more than shots to win a shootout.

Lions keeper Tristan Himes made key saves to ensure a 4-2 shootout win for OCB and the extra point for the match. He also had three saves during regulation.

Orlando City B players technically have a three-week break after the Inter Miami CF II match. But rest assured, they will be drilling and studying how to keep that relentlessly tough edge. They’ll need it now, and when they join the First Team pitch in the future.