Orlando City B and Columbus Crew B played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in MLS Next Pro action on June 29, 2026, at Osceola County Stadium. The match featured two equalizing goals and saw both sides share the spoils in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Match Overview

Under the bright Florida sun, both development squads came out with clear intent to attack. Orlando City B, playing on home turf, started brightly and took an early lead through a well-worked team move in the 14th minute. Forward Kyle Smith latched onto a through ball from midfielder Jose Martinez and slotted past Columbus keeper Ryan Miller to make it 1-0.

Columbus Crew B responded well and grew into the half. Their pressing game forced Orlando into several errors, and the equalizer came in the 33rd minute when wide attacker Ethan Porter cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the far corner, leaving the home goalkeeper with no chance. The first half ended 1-1 with both teams feeling they could push for more.

Second Half Drama

After the break, the match opened up further. Orlando City B regained the lead in the 58th minute when Jose Martinez turned from provider to scorer, smashing home a loose ball from a corner kick to make it 2-1. The home crowd roared, sensing a valuable home win.

However, Columbus Crew B showed resilience. They pushed forward and created several chances, hitting the crossbar through a free kick in the 73rd minute. Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when substitute Marcus Lee rose highest to head home a pinpoint cross from the right, making it 2-2.

Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, with Orlando City B having a goal disallowed for offside deep into stoppage time. The final whistle confirmed a fair share of the points.

Key Performers

• Jose Martinez (Orlando City B) – The midfield engine was involved in both home goals, providing an assist and scoring one himself. His energy and vision were critical to Orlando's attacking threat.
• Ethan Porter (Columbus Crew B) – The winger was a constant menace down the left flank, scoring the first equalizer and creating several chances with his dribbling and crossing.
• Marcus Lee (Columbus Crew B) – The substitute made an immediate impact, scoring the late equalizer with a powerful header that changed the momentum of the game.

Tactical Notes

Orlando City B opted for a 4-3-3 formation that allowed their fullbacks to push high, creating overloads in wide areas. Columbus Crew B countered with a compact 4-2-3-1, often dropping into a mid-block and looking to exploit spaces on the counter. The visitors’ ability to adjust after going behind twice showed strong tactical discipline from their coaching staff.

Season Context

Both teams entered the match looking to climb higher in the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference standings. Orlando City B moved to 7th with 24 points from 16 games, while Columbus Crew B remained in 5th place with 28 points. The draw keeps both sides in the playoff hunt, but they will need to convert draws into wins to secure a spot in the postseason.

The match also highlighted the strength of the league’s player development pipeline, with several young prospects showing promise for future first-team action. Orlando City B’s next test comes against Philadelphia Union II, while Columbus Crew B host New England Revolution II.