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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. FC Dallas: Player Grades and Man of the Match

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9 years ago

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Orlando City looked lethargic, lifeless, leggy, and any other pejorative ‘L’ word you can think of in tonight’s 4-0 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Of course, the Lions have still never scored in MLS play against the Hoops, after falling 2-0 at home last year, but this was the first time Orlando has been shut out in 2016.

The match was also lopsided enough to give the Lions a negative overall goal differential.

It seemed almost as if City’s players decided to play along and compete against Joey Chestnut in the big Independence Day hot dog eating contest. The Lions looked tired and lacked energy almost from the first kick of the ball. It was a disappointing way to come out against one of the league’s best teams.

Enough said, because there’s not much good to say. Let’s get to tonight’s player grades.

Starters

G, Joe Bendik, 6.5 (MOTM) -€” The fact that the keeper gets Man of the Match in a 4-0 loss tells you all you need to know about this game, really. He wins the award by default as there is literally no outfield player who could even conceivably have earned the accolades. Bendik did make several key saves that kept the score line from being even more embarrassing, but a timely save early may have kept his team in the game. Not too much he could have done better on the goals but we’ve seen him stop some of those this season.

D, Luke Boden, 3 -€” Got turned inside out on the second goal and allowed Michael Barrios to slip in and chip Bendik to make it 2-0. Bodz didn’t get forward much, although he did manage to earn a corner once, but on another occasion his penchant for avoiding his right foot like the plague got him trapped behind the ball as he couldn’t beat the last defender on his crossing attempt.

D, Tommy Redding, 3.5 -€” The youngster wasn’t necessarily any worse than anyone else, but on this night, that’s not saying much. Was subbed out at halftime after a first-half performance that wasn’t on par with some of his other recent displays. Earned a booking after being beaten in the 39th minute.

D, David Mateos, 3.5 -€” Was culpable on Hedges’ goal, as he failed to stay with the Dallas center back, after failing to fight through a pick. Was caught up field on the Barrios goal but so was the entire rest of the back line as the long ball was headed well forward by a Dallas defender and the ball was quickly played behind the defense. Had a few decent moments cutting out crosses and played Diaz well in the 26th minute down the sideline to earn a goal kick but it was a tough night for the Spaniard (as it was for most), who earned a second-half booking that seemed unnecessary.

D, Kevin Alston, 4 -€” Alston did well to make a few vital saving deflections and cut out a few through balls but like most of his teammates, struggled to complete passes at times and wasn’t able to get forward much at all.

MF, Darwin Ceren, 5.5 –€” His service wasn’t great after taking over free kick duties in the second half, he gave away a dangerous free kick just above the box, and wasn’t his usual energetic self in central midfield. Where the Salvadoran will typically break up play and make life miserable for the opposition, this was a night when he didn’t impose his will on the game. However, he did manage to have one of the highest passing ratings on the night (87%) for the Lions and had three tackles and two interceptions.

MF, Cristian Higuita, 4 -€” A bad giveaway early led to a Dallas break and even though the Lions recovered from that, Higuita decided to fire a pass back to Mateos that was too hot to handle in that short a space, instead of simply turning into the open space in front of him. That bad back pass ended up going out for the corner kick that gave FC Dallas its first goal. In fact, Higuita often chose to make difficult back passes into traffic rather than turning and linking with the attacking midfielders.

MF, Brek Shea, 4.5 -€” His passing rate was too low at 72.7% and he attempted only two crosses, neither which found its target. But at least Shea was one of the few players that created occasional problems for the Dallas back line moving forward. He earned a few free kicks in dangerous areas and perhaps should have shot instead of trying to square a ball for Larin, because there wasn’t much pace on the pass and Hedges closed and broke it up.

MF, Kaká, 4 -€” A forgettable 45 minutes for the captain, who hopefully was subbed out at halftime to save him for Friday’s match against Houston rather than due to a knock. He completed 83% of his passes and touched the ball 26 times in the first half, but he wasn’t able to really spring anyone for a chance at goal.

MF, Kevin Molino, 3.5 -€” The Trinidadian looked lethargic and seemed to lack passion and energy throughout. He completed 80% of his passes but was easily dispossessed and didn’t track back well to help on defense. Seemed running in mud most of the night and on at least one occasion eased off his run, forcing a Kaká pass to miss him and be turned over.

F, Cyle Larin, 2.5 -€” The Canadian had only 12 touches in his 68 minutes in the game and it didn’t even seem like that many. Part of it was the lack of quality of his teammates, but, like Molino, Larin didn’t seem to have any real energy or movement. He got himself into a dangerous attacking position twice in the entire match. The first was nicked off his feet in the box in the game’s opening moments, and the second was the opportunity when Shea crossed to him only to see it deflected out for a corner. He completed six of his nine passes and failed to register a shot.

Substitutes

D, Seb Hines (45′), 5 –€” With three tackles, an interception, two clearances, and a blocked shot in his 45 minutes, Hines was the most active of Orlando’s defenders on the night. He nearly got to a corner kick but his collision with Seitz while both were going for a 50/50 ball drew a foul call.

MF, Servando Carrasco (45′), 5 -€” Serva came on at halftime for Kaká and completed 88% of his passes and gave the Lions a little more bite in the central midfield. He finished with a tackle, a clearance and a blocked shot.

F, Julio Baptista (68′), 4.5 –€” Like Larin, The Beast had trouble getting on the ball and late in the match, his teammates weren’t really even trying to get it to him much. He had only eight touches but completed all six of his passes and registered one of the Lions’ three shots on the night, although the effort from outside the box was well over the bar.

Well, like I said above, there’s not much good to say about this performance. Vote for your Man of the Match in the poll below and let me know what you thought.

Polling Closed

Player Votes
Joe Bendik 119
Servando Carrasco 13
Seb Hines 5
Darwin Ceren 6
Other 16
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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/21/25

The U.S. Open Cup journey resumes tonight, Javier Otero signs a new contract, Pride’s Sams and Abello called up, and more.

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5 minutes ago

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May 21, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is match day with Orlando City hosting Nashville SC tonight in Inter&Co Stadium. I hope you are able to make it out to support the club, since I will have to watch it on television. If you listen to The Mane Land PawedCast you know how much I want Orlando City to focus on the U.S. Open Cup — even at the expense of the Leagues Cup. For now, let’s get to the links.

Nashville is Next

As I mentioned above, the Lions take on Nashville SC in a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match tonight. Orlando City is riding a 12-match unbeaten streak through all competitions and has scored 14 goals in the past four games going back to its 5-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Lions will look to continue their goal scoring ways to advance to the quarterfinals.

Javier Otero Has a New Contract

Orlando City signed goalkeeper Javier Otero to a new contract through the 2026 season with options for 2027 and 2028. Otero joined the Orlando City Academy in 2017, moving his way up to Orlando City B and, eventually, the first team. The signing secures Orlando City’s backup keeper for the immediate future.

Pride USWNT Call-Ups

Emily Sams and Kerry Abello were both called up to the USWNT training camp. This is Abello’s first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team. Sams and Abello make up two of Emma Hayes’ 24-player roster for the upcoming friendlies against China and Jamaica. Other notable players include Naomi Girma, Lynn Biyendolo, and Lo’eau LaBonta.

FIRST USWNT CALL UP FOR BELLO 🗣️

— Orlando Pride (@orlpride.com) 2025-05-20T15:06:37.081Z

USMNT Gold Cup News

Mauricio Pochettino has yet to name the final 26-player list for the Gold Cup. He has even put out there that he may give playing time to a goalkeeper other than Matt Turner. Pochettino sees the Gold Cup as a great opportunity for the team to bond during the last competition before the World Cup. Prior to the Gold Cup, the team has friendlies with Türkiye and Switzerland.

Free Kicks

  • The Kansas City Current may have defeated the Pride last match, but they paid dearly for it.
  • In sad news, former Sporting Kansas City player Gadi Kinda passed away. Kinda had been dealing with “a complex medical battle.”
  • In the “I’m not at all surprised” category, Lionel Messi was not fined by the league for any of his antics during or after the loss to Orlando City, including his criticism of officials, which is usually an automatic fine.

That will do it for today. Check back for our pre-match and post-match coverage tonight. You can also follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for match updates. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City Signs Homegrown Goalkeeper Javier Otero to New Deal

Homegrown goalkeeper Javier Otero has inked a new contract through 2026 with two option years.

Published

12 hours ago

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May 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The Lions addressed the future of the goalkeeping position today with the club announcing that Orlando City has signed Homegrown Player Javier Otero to a new deal. Otero’s contract runs through the 2026 season and includes club options for 2027 and 2028. This contract eliminates the need for OCSC to pick up Otero’s 2026 option, as his original Homegrown contract was through 2024 with two option years, and the club exercised the 2025 option in December.

“We’re delighted to offer a new contract to Javi, who has been a prime example of our developmental pathway at work,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “We look forward to seeing Javi further his growth here with the club.” 

Otero, 22, originally signed as the club’s 14th Homegrown Player on July 10, 2023 out of the Orlando City Development Academy, becoming the backup to starter Pedro Gallese in 2024 after Mason Stajduhar suffered a season-ending lower leg injury. Stajduhar subsequently left Orlando City prior to the 2025 season, making Otero the primary backup.

Thus far, Otero has appeared in three matches for Orlando across all competitions (two starts), keeping one clean sheet. He made his Major League Soccer debut on June 28, 2024, when Stajduhar sustained his injury on the road against New York City FC. Otero entered the match in the 29th minute with the Lions already trailing and conceded three goals in a 4-1 loss, although he was largely hung out to dry by the team in front of him throughout the match, and one of those goals deflected off defender Robin Jansson and changed direction on him.

In MLS play, Otero has one start and one relief appearance, winning his only career regular-season start earlier this season in a 4-1 home victory over D.C. United on March 22. He also started and backstopped Orlando to a 5-0 U.S. Open Cup victory two weeks ago at the Tampa Bay Rowdies for his first shutout with the senior side.

Otero joined the Orlando City Academy in 2017, making his professional debut with Orlando City B in 2020, backing up second-round draft pick Austin Aviza that season. He became the OCB starter in 2022 after OCB took 2021 off in between changing leagues from USL League One to MLS NEXT Pro.

He led MLS NEXT Pro with 100 saves in the league’s inaugural season of 2022. His first-team contract in 2023 made him the second goalkeeper — behind Stajduhar — to earn a Homegrown Player deal.

On the international stage, Otero made his debut with the Venezuelan Men’s National Team in a friendly against Colombia on Dec. 10, 2023. He was recently called up for Venezuela’s friendly against the U.S. in January, along with La Vinotinto’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March. 

What It Means for Orlando City

It is likely that Otero will remain the backup for a while longer, but Gallese’s contract option for 2025 was triggered by performance metrics after last season. So, Orlando’s No. 1 in the position is uncertain beyond the end of the current season. Gallese, however, has played well, despite a narrative that he could/should have done better at the beginning of the season, when individual mistakes in front of him were leaving him little chance to stop the vast majority of the goals that opponents scored. Orlando City may not be quite ready for Gallese to depart, but the Peruvian himself may have other thoughts.

If Gallese isn’t re-signed before the end of the season, it would make things interesting. Moreira may feel Otero is ready to take on the mantle of starter next season or at least to battle for it. But even if Gallese returns or a different player is signed to be the starter, Otero has impressed enough for the club to invest in him as the primary backup. That’s an important position at all times, because injuries and suspensions happen. But it’s especially vital to have a trustworthy backup to a goalkeeper who is representing his country during the MLS season at times, as Gallese has done with Peru over the years.

Of course, Otero could also be called up regularly by Venezuela if his development continues, taking him away for the same tournaments that currently call Gallese back home. If that becomes the case, Orlando City would have an interesting problem on its hands.

In the meantime, it’s a good sign for Orlando City that, in Otero, the academy has produced another player the club values.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/20/25

Lions earn weekly recognition, preliminary Gold Cup rosters released, Americans in midweek action, and more.

Published

1 day ago

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May 20, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Life always feels a little brighter after your team wins a soccer game, even more so when it’s against a hated rival, so I hope you’ve had as good a start to your week as I have. We have no time to rest on our laurels though, because Orlando City is straight back into action tomorrow with a U.S. Open Cup match at home against Nashville SC. Let’s get into today’s links.

Lions Earn Weekly Recognition

Several Orlando City players are getting some deserved plaudits following the team’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami on Sunday. Pedro Gallese has been named to the starting XI of the MLS Team of the Matchday, while Joran Gerbet is on the bench and Oscar Pareja is the coach of the side. Gallese made four saves while keeping a clean sheet and also assisted Luis Muriel on the first goal of the game. Gerbet did an excellent job of helping to minimize the impact of Lionel Messi, while Oscar Pareja was the man who who masterminded it all. Alex Freeman got some love as one of the standout young players of the matchday, and also had a nice piece written about him in The Athletic (paywall). All the Lions are deserving of their praise, and here’s hoping this isn’t the last time we see them getting some love.

Freeman Named to USMNT Preliminary Gold Cup Roster

The preliminary rosters have been announced for the 16 teams set to participate in this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup. Most of the usual suspects are present for the United States Men’s National Team, with the exceptions of Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna, whose teams are participating in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Of note for Orlando City fans is Alex Freeman’s inclusion on the preliminary roster. That being said, this early list contains 60 names and will need to be cut down to 26 by June 4. With Sergino Dest and Joe Scally both on the 60-man list, Freeman is probably an outside shot to be included, but you never know.

Americans in Midweek Action

There are a number of Americans playing matches during the working week, so make sure you have everything marked down on your calendar. Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace host Wolverhampton Wanderers in their penultimate Premier League game later today, while Tyler Adams and Bournemouth do the same against Manchester City. Wednesday has Jordan Pefok and Reims visiting Metz in a playoff to decide which team will play in Ligue 1 next season. Alex Zendejas and Club America take on Toluca in the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura final on Thursday, and Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis host Valencia in La Liga play on Friday.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

The summer transfer window will be upon us before we know it, so let’s take a look at what the transfer rumor mill is saying these days. Manchester United is said to be on the verge of signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has reportedly agreed to terms on a deal. Man City has reportedly ended its interest in signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, and has instead turned the club’s attention to Barcelona’s Dani Olmo. Finally, Rodrygo is reportedly considering leaving Real Madrid in the summer, with some outlets saying that he “has one foot out of Real Madrid”.

Free Kicks

That does it for me today. Vamos Orlando!

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