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Orlando City B makes the right move with Head Coach Manuel Goldberg

• Manuel Goldberg guides players through the pathway
• Accomplishments seen on multiple pitches
• Short-term players come up pitch-ready
ByChuck Wharton|
Apr 2, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Orlando City B and Inter Miami II at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Apr 2, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Orlando City B and Inter Miami II at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Orlando City B did the job for the top club by performing a full season of real-time scouting. The club has retained some talent that first-team supporters will see soon.

Reserve/developmental club Orlando City B continues making the right moves by retaining Head Coach Manuel Goldberg. By exercising this option, he serves his fifth year with the club in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season – the first two as assistant coach.

Besides his sharp understanding of coaching and football, Goldberg has a deep understanding of the Orlando City developmental pathway. He has expertly guided players through that system into opportunities with the first team and beyond.

Orlando City SC supporters are focused on how Goldberg develops players and prepares them to help the first team get deep into the MLS postseason and other competitions.

Two examples from this season are midfielder Gustavo Caraballo and defender Zakaria Taifi, both homegrown players.

Caraballo came through the organization’s developmental pathway and earned a chance with the first team in 2025. He is the youngest to sign and the youngest to score with Orlando City SC. That’s how prepared he and Goldberg were.

He was 16 years, 198 days old when he signed with the team for their U.S. Open Cup opener. Then he played 90 minutes in their match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He went on to create two chances, get three touches in the opponents’ box, and scored a brace on three shots.

Taifi started in Orlando City’s U9 soccer school. In the 2025 season, he became the first player to complete the development pathway. Like all of the short-term prospects this season, he showed up pitch-ready.

He got called to the pitch after a Lion pulled a second yellow card/red card. The coaches knew from Taifi’s scout report that the defender could be effective closer to midfield.

So, beginning in the 86th minute of the match with CF Montreal in a draw, Taifi moved close to the forward positions and attempted to park the bus. Montreal defender George Campbell tried to break up the Orlando efforts.

Taifi quickly drew a foul from him. Orlando City SC left the pitch in a draw.

Head Coach Manuel Goldberg didn’t earn his contract option exercise only by his accomplishments with Orlando City B. You can see his accomplishments everywhere in the organization. Just watch in 2026.