KISSIMMEE, FL (April 19, 2026) — On a hot Sunday evening in Florida, Carolina Core FC battled back from a two-goal second-half deficit to earn a hard-fought draw against Orlando City B. While the hosts claimed the extra point in a 6-5 penalty shootout, the Foxes' second-half surge secured a vital point on the road.
The match got off to a frantic start in the 4th minute, with Jair Caiza nearly finding the opener after breaking through on goal. Just a minute later, the momentum swung the other way as the Core conceded a penalty, which Orlando’s Caraballo converted to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.
The Core’s mountain grew steeper in the 31st minute when Pedro Leão doubled Orlando’s advantage, slotting home a shot from the edge of the box. Despite the scoreline, Nick Holliday kept the Foxes within striking distance, highlighted by a massive reflex save in the 43rd minute to deny a point-blank header from Leão, sending the sides into the locker room at 2-0.
The second half however belonged to Carolina. After several key saves from Holliday, the Foxes' breakthrough arrived in the 72nd minute. David Diaz picked up the ball near the sideline, cut inside, and unleashed a curling strike from distance that found the far corner to make it 2-1.
Just three minutes later, the Core found their equalizer. A whipped-in corner caused chaos in the Orlando box, with Nolan Evers tapping a loose ball over the line to level the score at 2-2.
The Foxes continued to press for a winner late into stoppage time, but the match ended level after 90 minutes. The subsequent shootout went 6-5 in favor of Orlando, and Core head back to North Carolina with a crucial point and plenty of momentum.
The Core return home to Truist Point Stadium on Saturday, April 25, for a massive clash against league leaders Crown Legacy FC.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: April 19, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro
Venue: Osceola Heritage Park | Kissimmee, FL
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Weather: 84 degrees, Cloudly
SCORING SUMMARY
FT: 2-2 (6-5 PKs)
ORL: Gustavo Caraballo - 7'
ORL: Pedro Leão - 32'
CCFC: David Diaz - 72'
CCFC: Nolan Evers - 75'
LINEUPS
CCFC: Nick Holliday; Jair Caiza, Charles Orbaugh (Santiago Yepes 28'), Nolan Evers (C), Nelson Martinez; Alenga Charles (Tim Zeegers 73'), Ricardo Montenegro (Mohamed Diakite 73'), Thomas Raimbault; Anthony Sumo Jr., Arnaud Tattevin (Dyllan John 73'), Jesus Ibarra (David Diaz - 58')
Substitutes not used: Trevor Jackson & Robinson Aguirre
Orlando City B: Tristan Himes; Bernardo Rhein, Titus Sandy Jr., Landon Okonski, Parker Amoo-Mensah (Jaylen Yearwood 80'); Dylan Judelson (Caleb Trombino 71'), Issah Haruna; Matthew Belgodere, Dominik Baczewski (Toryn Penders 88'), Gustavo Caraballo (Nicolas Bobea Torres 80'); Pedro Leão (Brady Kendall - 71')
Substitues not used: Albright Chikamso, Jakob Garcia, Nicolas Lasheras, Luca Maxim
STATS SUMMARY
CCFC / ORL
Shots: 12 / 15
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 4 / 4
Corners: 6 / 3
Possession: 49% / 51%
Fouls:15 / 14
Yellow Cards: 2 / 3
Red Cards: 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CCFC: 45' + 1' - Thomas Raimbault (Yellow)
ORL: 54' - Dylan Judelson (Yellow)
CCFC: 62' - David Diaz (Yellow)
ORL: 64' - Gustavo Caraballo (Yellow)
ORL: 77' - Bernardo Rhein (Yellow)
