Orlando City B entered its inaugural USL season looking to build on the legacy of its MLS side, which claimed a pair of championships in the USL before making the move to the top flight before the 2015 season. Those goals proved out of reach, but the fact the side reached the USL Cup Playoffs was certainly a good start as players like Pierre Da Silva and Michael Cox provided exciting attacking play. With some interesting additions to the squad, OCB should remain a competitive outfit as it moves into Orlando City Stadium for the new season.

Head Coach: Anthony Pulis
Stadium: Orlando City Stadium
2016 results: 9-13-8, 35pts
2016 postseason: L 4-0 at New York Red Bulls II

Goalkeeper: After the departure of Mark Ridgers – who led the USL with 106 saves last season – the scene appears set for Mason Stajduhar to take the reins in goal for his first professional action after being signed as a Homegrown Player by Orlando before the start of the 2016 campaign. The U.S. U20 international has featured so far in preseason, and should take a big step forward this year with Jake Fenlason offering cover as his backup.

Defense: Orlando made a major addition this offseason as it signed USL All-League Second Team selection Zach Carroll, who featured for the New York Red Bulls II as they claimed the USL Cup and USL Regular Season championship a season ago. Fernando Timbo joins from Ottawa Fury FC, while Scott Thomsen also arrived from the Richmond Kickers. Zach Ellis-Hayden returns after recording two assists in 20 appearances for the side a season ago. Conor Donovan has also seen action for the side in preseason, and would likely form a good central tandem with Carroll should that opportunity arise.

Midfield: Midfield stalwart Lewis Neal scored the biggest goal of OCB’s season in 2016, leading the side to a victory against Bethlehem Steel FC and a place in the postseason on the final day of the regular season. Neal returns this year after making 24 appearances a season ago. He is joined by Jordan Schweitzer, who had four goals and two assists for Seattle Sounders FC 2 a year ago, and Austin Martz, who will bring speed when OCB looks to break into attack. Richie Laryea and Tony Rocha could also add depth from the Lions’ MLS squad.

Forward: Michael Cox broke out in a big way in 2016 with 11 goals and three assists that proved critical to OCB’s success. He is joined this year by Ben Polk, previously of the Portland Timbers 2. Polk will be looking to regain his scoring touch after a season with the T2 that saw him score just once in 25 appearances. A former PDL champion with K-W United FC, Polk could benefit from the presence of 2016 USL 20 Under 20 selection Pierre Da Silva. Signed to a Homegrown Player contract this offseason, Da Silva could still see time with OCB with the veteran attacking options ahead of him in the club’s MLS squad.

Strengths: With the likes of Michael Cox and Pierre Da Silva leading the way, OCB showed flashes of exciting attacking play in its inaugural season. Now with the addition of players like Schweitzer and Polk, it needs to show it can produce in front of goal consistently over the course of the season. If they can accomplish that, a major uptick from the club’s 35 goals a season ago will be in order.

Weaknesses: The Lions struggled defensively for much of the season, with the offseason moves to bring in the likes of Zach Carroll highlighting the need for upgrades. Orlando conceded 49 goals in the regular season, including 30 in the second half, which would indicate a side that had the tendency to fall off as a game progressed. Improving control of the game’s tempo would be welcome, and take pressure off a back line that proved too porous a year ago.

Key number: 166 – OCB allowed 166 shots on goal to its opposition in the regular season a year ago, a total only exceeded by Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Toronto FC II, and its 49 goals conceded was 16 more  than the second-highest total allowed by an Eastern Conference playoff team.

Noteworthy matchups: The addition of the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the USL this season brings the I-4 Derby to the league, and the two teams will meet at Al Lang Stadium to open the season on March 25. The team’s home opener at the newly-opened Orlando City Stadium on March 30 against Louisville City FC will see former Lions teammates and current USL Head Coaches Anthony Pulis (OCB) and James O’Connor (LOU) go head-to-head, while a run of five games against Saint Louis, Charleston, Richmond, New York and Tampa Bay could prove make-or-break for the team’s playoff aspirations.

Coach’s view: “Biggest thing for me is to try to control the controllables. It’s going to take time for them to adjust and get used to the way we want to work, but I’m really pleased with our acquisitions. The big objective for us was to recruit good people as well as good players. I think the character and attitude that they bring to the group will be excellent.” – Orlando City B Head Coach Anthony Pulis

Current roster (updated: March 8, 2017):
Goalkeepers: Jake Fenlason
Defenders: Zach Carroll, Fernando Timbo, Zach Ellis-Hayden, Scott Thomsen
Midfielders: Paul Clowes, Austin Martz, Lewis Neal, Jordan Schweitzer, Ryley Kraft
Forwards: Michael Cox, Ben Polk