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Orlando City

Orlando City at New England Revolution: Five Takeaways

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We can enjoy half-off pizza today thanks to some late heroics from Carlos Rivas as he opened his scoring account in MLS. Also, we can actually go a full week without talking about the refs–which I’m very grateful for. In fact, I’d say Robert Sibiga actually was kind to the Lions when he could have easily booked Darwin Cerén a second time with some hard fouls after getting booked in the 24th minute and getting a talking to.

Things got nervy when Kevin Molino had to leave the match as well as when the Revs hit the post late. Overall, I think we’re all glad to see the Lions come home with a point. Now, let’s take a closer look and point out the five takeaways from the match.

Orlando City Will Only Go As Far As the Back Line Takes It

Let’s be honest, after giving up three goals last match while looking bad, there was pressure on the team to get a positive result against the Revs. But it wasn’t looking good for the boys in purple after conceding an early goal. The gaffer changed things up by keeping Redding on the bench and giving David Mateos his first start of the season. Even with making an adjustment, the Revs kept wreaking havoc on Orlando City’s left side of the pitch. Brek Shea and Seb Hines gave up the goals and left Joe Bendik high and dry. With the team through several matches this season, it’s time to reconsider the best place for Shea to play and after trading Aurélien Collin, there are even fewer options defensively. Something needs to be addressed if the Lions hope to make a run in the playoffs.

Joe Bendik Addition Is the Best Move Of the Off-Season

Eight matches into the season, Joe Bendik has been better than advertised. His play has allowed the Lions to walk away from matches, like the one in New England, with points. He hasn’t had great support from the defenders in front of him, but there isn’t one goal which can directly be put on Bendik.

His play is strong enough to consider him MVP of the team for the first quarter of the season. It’s time to stop talking about last year’s goalkeepers. Joe has earned the respect of the City Beautiful based on his level of play. If the team makes a move to improve the back line, Bendik should lead the team deep in the playoffs.

Depth Proves Its Worth

One of the biggest improvements for Orlando City from a first year expansion team to a second year team is the quality of depth. The players coming off the bench for Heath this season is much more talented than it was last season. When the subs make it onto the pitch like against the Revs, they can give a boost of energy to a team that looked flat for most of the second half. Servando Carrasco was active from the first minute he was inserted into the match and putting in Rivas and Baptista proved its worth with three shots on goal from the two subs, the one from Rivas being the equalizer. Last year, the Lions would more than likely not gotten results like this. Being able to get points even when you are not playing your best is the key to an improving side.

Kevin Molino Is A Difference Maker

No Kaká, no problem for this year’s Lions. A big part of that has been the play of Kevin Molino. He was distributing the ball all along the left side of the pitch. His effort was rewarded when he scored his third goal of the season in the 30th minute and bringing Orlando City level before the half. It’s good to have Molino on the pitch and if he can keep up his high level consistently, it’s going to be a good year for the Orlando City attack.

Best Game From Cyle Larin Without A Goal

Larin didn’t get on the score sheet, but that didn’t mean the young Canadian striker didn’t have an impact on the game. He was getting mugged all match, drawing attention from two defenders the whole night. He also got cheated out of recording an least one if not two assists because he looked to play a part in both goals. When the Lions went on the offense, Larin contribution allowed the Lions to draw the match.

There you have it, those are my five takeaways for the match. Leave me a comment and let me know where I was wrong and what I missed! Or, you know, what I did well.

Orlando City

Orlando City Giving the Kids A Look

This preseason, Oscar Pareja is letting Orlando City’s young academy products show what they can do.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City finished its 2025 preseason campaign with a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami CF Friday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. It capped off the first winless preseason campaign in club history. However, there were some positives to take away from the past three weeks.

Since Luiz Muzzi joined the club in Dec. 2018 and subsequently brought Ricardo Moreira on, there’s been a much greater focus on bringing players through the club’s youth setup. No fewer than nine players have come out of the academy; played for the club’s second team, Orlando City B; and signed Homegrown contracts with the first team since the pair took over. It’s something that’s continued this year.

The two most notable additions have been 18-year-old defensive midfielder Colin Guske and 16-year-old midfielder Gustavo Caraballo. Guske is the third member of his family to come through the academy and join OCB. He follows his older brothers Owen and Liam. However, the youngest Guske is the only one to sign a first-team deal.

It’s not a surprise that the young defensive midfielder has seen time on the field this preseason. He played the most minutes of anyone his age in MLS NEXT Pro last year and just signed a first-team deal on Dec. 16.

The bigger surprise has been Caraballo. The 16-year-old signed with the Young Lions on Aug. 14, 2023, and has only made two short appearances. But Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja clearly thought enough of the young player to throw him into the deep end, starting him in the team’s preseason opener against Atletico Mineiro on Jan. 25.

Fortunately, he swam well this preseason, showing his ability from the opening game. The teenager has shown no fear, even when going up against older, experienced opposition. His fearlessness with the ball has been impressive, especially for someone of his age.

A player you might see more of this year for the first team is right back Alex Freeman. The 20-year-old defender has been arguably the most impressive of the young players and played extensively this preseason. The Homegrown Player scored against Atlanta United in a closed-door friendly and was crucial in several attacks this preseason.

A fourth player is one some probably thought wouldn’t be back with the team this year. Center back Thomas Williams initially signed a Homegrown deal on June 15, 2021. After a strong start with the first team, he’s played exclusively with OCB the last couple of years and has had his struggles. He’s been regularly outplayed by Nabi Kibunguchy and often found himself on the bench for the reserve side.

Despite his inconsistency, Orlando City signed him to a new two-year deal on Jan. 22, keeping him in Orlando through 2026. Since he’s only 20 years old, it’s not a surprise the club thinks he can develop into a productive first-team player. However, the club didn’t pick up the option on Wilfredo Rivera at the same age, signing him to OCB instead.

The playing time awarded to Guske, Caraballo, and Williams show the club’s continuing commitment to developing Homegrown talent. Even Rivera was kept at the club after the Lions decided not to exercise his option and signed multiple short-term MLS deals last year.

In all likelihood, none of these players will see significant time with the first team in 2025. However, they showed their abilities this preseason and could be future starters for the club. They’ll make watching OCB a must for Orlando City fans this season to see how they do.

There are some other players to pay attention to this year for OCB. 19-year-old academy product Zakaria Taifi has shown improvement on the back line and played during the club’s preseason game against CF Montreal. Jhon Solis, a 20-year-old midfielder, didn‘t come through the academy, but has been a leader for the second team and saw some minutes for the first team this preseason. Additionally, Pareja found minutes for Bernardo Rhein in the Montreal match and he looked solid playing against much more experienced competition.

As the 2025 season begins, we’ll probably find out more about who the club covets. Orlando City is playing in three competitions this season and will likely use some OCB players in less important games. It’s another thing to look forward to this year.

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Orlando City

Orlando City Signs First-Round Pick Joran Gerbet

The Lions have signed 2025 their first-round SuperDraft pick through the upcoming season with a series of option years.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced today that the club has signed 2025 MLS first-round selection Joran Gerbet through the 2025 MLS season, with club options for 2026, 2027 and 2028. The 23-year-old central midfielder has impressed this preseason and now has earned his first professional contract.

“Joran is a great young player that we identified through our detailed analysis and scouting process ahead of the draft,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manger Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He has done well and worked hard in training this preseason and has great technical abilities that we feel really add to and complement our preferred style of play.”

The Lions selected Gerbet in the first round (No. 27 overall) out of Clemson University in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. The native of Valence, France, began his highly decorated collegiate career at Oregon State University, playing two seasons before transferring to Clemson for his final two years. He was a 2024 Mac Hermann Trophy semifinalist, ACC Midfielder of the Year, a first-team United Soccer Coaches All-American, and earned United Soccer Coaches First Team All-South Region honors. He was also a first-team All-ACC selection and made the All-ACC Tournament Team as a senior.

The 5-foot-11 midfielder helped lead the Tigers to a national championship in 2023 after Clemson won the ACC Tournament, in which Gerbet was named to the All-ACC Tournament Team. He was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023, a member of the Academic All-ACC Team, and earned United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-South Region honors. While at Oregon State, Gerbet was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and was an All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2022. He was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2021 as well as a First Team All-Pac-12 Team and Second Team All-Far West Region selection. Top Drawer Soccer placed him on the site’s Freshman Best XI first team.

Gerbet played in 78 games (76 starts), logging 6,708 minutes over the course of his college career. He scored 12 goals and added 15 assists. Of those, 10 goals and 11 assists came in 42 appearances (40 starts) with the Tigers in his final two years.

“It’s an immense honor to be part of this organization and this team for the next step of my journey,” Gerbet said in the club’s release. “Every person has welcomed me with open arms since I got here, and it has felt like home since day one. I can’t wait to represent the badge in front of our fans and give everything on the field to bring the wins and the trophies that this club deserves.”

What It Means for Orlando City

Gerbet’s signing has seemed all but certain since the CF Montreal preseason match. The addition of Eduard Atuesta means Orlando City won’t need to rush Gerbet into the lineup, allowing him to develop without too much pressure, although he appears to be ready to step in and get minutes off the bench already.

The rookie appears to have better than average attacking skills for a central midfielder. He told me after the Atletico Mineiro match that he sees himself as a No. 6 who can play the No. 8 role. His curling effort off the crossbar against Montreal showed he’s got sneaky good offensive capabilities, making him a dangerous player arriving late in the box.

Gerbet will provide good depth behind Cesar Araujo and Atuesta during what will likely be a season without Wilder Cartagena, mitigating the need to rush Colin Guske into first-team minutes if injury or suspension keep one of the starters out.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 2/17/25

Lions draw in Tampa vs. Inter Miami in final preseason match, Pride sign Cori Dyke to a new contract and add Oihane Hernandez, and more.

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers, and happy President’s Day! I hope you all are doing well down in Florida over the holiday weekend. I’ve been covering high school playoff basketball and hockey over the past week. Orlando City’s home opener is coming up Saturday, and like many of you, I look forward to seeing what the Lions can do during the 2025 MLS season. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Draw Inter Miami 2-2 in Final Preseason Match

In its final preseason match, Orlando City could not hold onto the lead and got out of Tampa with a 2-2 draw against rival Inter Miami Friday at Raymond James Stadium. The Lions were up 2-1 with goals from Martin Ojeda and Ramiro Enrique, but Fafa Picault scored the equalizer in stoppage time. Orlando finishes its 2025 preseason without a win for the first time in club history. The 2025 MLS season will kick off this weekend as Orlando City will face the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium.

Orlando Pride Add Defender Oihane Hernandez

On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced a new addition as the club signed defender Oihane Hernandez from Real Madrid Femenil for an undisclosed transfer fee. The contract is a two-year deal through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. The 24-year-old right back played two seasons with Real Madrid Femenil, notching two assists in 31 appearances. Hernandez also brings international experience playing with the Spanish Women’s National Team and was part of the squad that won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Hernandez’s joins a growing right back position group, which includes Brianna Martinez and…

Orlando Pride Sign Cori Dyke to Contract Extension

The Orlando Pride extended the contract of defender Cori Dyke after a stellar rookie year last season. Dyke’s new contract is through the 2027 season. The 24-year-old defender made 26 appearances, started 21 matches, logged 1,095 minutes, and stepped up to play right back to help Orlando win the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship last season. It’s the third contract she has signed with the club in less than a year. Dyke’s role with the club for 2025 remains to be seen, but she has proven to be a versatile player.

MLS Transfer Roundup

We are four days away from kicking off of the 2025 MLS season, and there are still some notable transfer moves happening across the league. The Colorado Rapids have reportedly acquired midfielder Josh Atencio from the Seattle Sounders in exchange for $1.3 million in General Allocation Money plus add-ons. Atencio will be an MLS U22 Initiative player on the Rapids roster. Meanwhile, Brazilian side Botafogo is reportedly finalizing a deal to sign Santi Rodriguez from New York City FC.

Sources: Botafogo at final stages of deal to sign Santi Rodriguez from NYCFC. RodriVazquez95 1st reported.Reports in Brazil say the fee is a huge $17m.

Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-02-15T20:45:44.953Z

Toronto FC has signed forward Ola Brynhildsen on loan for the 2025 season from Danish side FC Midtjylland, which includes a purchase option. LAFC has transferred forward Cristian Olivera to Gremio in Brazil for a reported $4.5 million, which includes a sell-on fee. Lastly, Palmeiras is reportedly finalizing a deal with the Houston Dynamo to sign center back Micael for a club record fee.

🇧🇷🟢 BREAKING: Brazilian giants Palmeiras have agreed a deal in principle to sign center back Micael from the Houston Dynamo, per sources.Deal at final stages.Would be new club-record outbound transfer for Houston. Micael among MLS best CBs in MLS last season

Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-02-14T16:32:09.759Z

Free Kicks

  • Former Orlando Pride defender Carrie Lawrence has found a new role after retiring from professional soccer at the end of last season. She was named the director of global women’s soccer recruitment for Young Money APAA Sports.
  • Check out this article from Goal.com on how Orlando has established itself as a soccer city over the years.
  • Bay FC goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland announced her retirement from professional soccer after a 10-year career in which she won four NWSL championship titles.
  • Manchester United forward Amad Diallo suffered an ankle injury while training and will likely be out for the remainder of the season.  
  • New York City FC midfielder James Sands, who is on loan at St. Pauli, underwent surgery on Sunday to repair a serious right ankle injury he suffered during their match on Friday against Freiburg that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. No timetable is set for his return.
  • The U-17 U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Cuba 2-0 to wrap up Group F play and has qualified for the U-17 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in November in Qatar.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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