Orlando City
Orlando City vs. Montreal Impact: Player Grades and Man of the Match
In the second meeting of the two clubs this season, Orlando City finally got the better of the Montreal Impact. The starting XI may not have shocked many people, as it was the same one as the last game, but what may have shocked folks was the fact that the team was able to finish chances and limit the Impact across the pitch. Without further ado, how did the Lions rate in the first of four road trips for the month of June?
Starters
GK, Brian Rowe, 7 — A clean sheet is a fantastic thing, especially on the road. It also helps when your defensive line limits your opponents to only nine shots. What makes the night even better is when the one shot that is put on target gives you the opportunity for an epic save to maintain the clean sheet and you oblige in fantastic fashion.
D, Joao Moutinho, 7.5 — Moutinho was an absolute terror on the left side all match. His work rate on both the offensive and defensive sides was outstanding. His 76% passing rate is a bit deceptive, but his four tackles and two dribbles certainly are not. Let’s also not forget his ball into the box that Will Johnson jumped on to put the Lions up by three. I still think he deserves an assist for that pass, but the official box scores disagree as Evan Bush got a touch on the ball.
D, Robin Jansson. 7 — It was another absolutely solid outing for Jansson. The communication across the back, especially between Jansson and Lamine Sané, is becoming obvious to the observer, as well as becoming obvious through statistics. No major mistakes, and he even ended the match with a shot attempt.
D, Lamine Sané, 7 — The other half of the back line duo mentioned above likewise had a solid outing. As with his counterpart, he ended the match with a shot, as well as two aerials won, one tackle, and of course, the attack on the kick in the first half that led to the award of a penalty kick. I have to say, his demeanor with the referees is also something to be modeled. He never loses his cool, and always appears to get his thoughts across, even when the ref seems to be shooing him away.
D, Ruan, 7 — The speedster had a solid match, although maybe not his best. Orlando appeared to have better luck on the left all match, but that does not mean that things did not happen on the right. Ruan’s ability showed up a bit more on the defensive side this match, with two tackles and not giving Montreal any room to move down their left side on the pitch.
MF, Will Johnson, 8.5 (MotM) — If you needed any more reason to be a fan of Johnson, he just gave you a number of them. His goal pretty much sealed the deal for City, although scoring three goals in the first 42 minutes would drive any fan insane as they watch and hope for a win, let alone a shutout. Will was all over the pitch, going forward and dropping back to defend. He had two total shots, the second being a shot from outside the box that wasn’t far off at all, 83% passing, a chance created, as well as four tackles, two interceptions, and a clearance on the defensive side and just being a menace on the pitch from box to box. Did we mention that goal, a hustle header buried in the back of the net?
MF, Cristian Higuita, 7 — Higuita had a solid match, and his two tackles and 91% passer rating and secondary assist on Tesho Akindele’s goal speak for themselves. He also had two clearances and two blocked shots. Surprisingly, he might be the one player on the pitch who was quietly doing his job the entire night. No flash, no outrageous mannerisms. Higuita just played box to box and did his job, and did it quite well.
MF, Sebas Mendez, 7.5 — I think no one has any complaints that Mendez played with Orlando rather than appear with Ecuador in a friendly tonight, as once again he was an anchor for a defensive midfield that frustrated Montreal all match. He also led the Lions with a 93% passer rating, and finished with five tackles, an interception, and a clearance. If Ecuador makes a deep run in the Copa America, and Sebas is gone from the 18 for an extended time, someone is going to have some big shoes to fill to take his place.
F, Nani, 7.5 – When the whistle blew, and the referee pointed to the spot, I can only imagine what the rest of the City faithful were thinking when Nani grabbed the ball. He buried the shot with authority, and set the Lions up early. Once again, the captain was just that, the leader on the pitch, although there were moments when it seemed like he was trying to do a bit too much. It was all still a very positive collection of moments. He finished with one shot, two aerials won, a key pass, an interception, and three tackles.
F, Tesho Akindele, 8 — Here is the crazy stat of the week: The Lions are undefeated when Tesho scores a goal. His hold-up play was good — not great, but good — but where he excelled was he took advantage of his chances (mostly). There was that one chance in the second half that he did not put on frame. Of his three shots, two were on target, and one went into the net on an absolutely perfect cross from Chris Mueller. He had one key pass and four interceptions to go with one clearance.
F, Chris Mueller, 7.5 — The first 35 minutes looked a bit rough for Cash, but the run up the left and deft pass across the mouth of goal to a streaking Akindele looked to finally calm him into the player we all know he can be. He was, as always, a terror to the Impact, creating chances and helping to keep defenders honest. He ended a great night with two shots and a 91% passer rating — the second highest on the team for the night. He had one assist, two key passes, an interception, a clearance, and two shots (one on target).
Substitutes
MF, Sacha Kljestan (76’), 6 — Kljestan came on and the middle of the field somewhat lost its luster and dominance for a few minutes. The squad was playing and clicking so well, it should surprise no one that it sputtered just a bit with the substitution. Sacha had a few bright moments, but compared to the starting XI, it was a bit of a rough 14 minutes of play (plus stoppage). However, he helped to keep the clean sheet, and that was of utmost importance. Pay no mind to the 44% passer rating.
D, Kyle Smith (82’), N/A — Not too much time or run of play to truly grade Kyle, but he was on the pitch and helped to keep a clean sheet on the road.
MF, Oriol Rosell (86’), N/A – Same as Smith — not enough time to truly rate Uri for this match. However, I have a feeling we will be rating Uri at the end of the month as he is sure to be filling one of the midfield slots being left open by players leaving for international duty.
That is how I saw it. How did you rate the players in the 3-0 road win over the Impact? Let me know who your Man of the Match was in the poll below, and how you rated the players in the comments below.
Polling Closed
Player | Votes |
Nani | 2 |
Chris Mueller | 15 |
Will Johnson | 75 |
Sebas Mendez | 17 |
Tesho Akindele | 14 |
Other | 11 |
Orlando City
Orlando City Signs Defender Kyle Smith through 2025
The Accountant is back for another year after signing a one-year contract to remain with Orlando City.
El Soldado will be a Lion for another season. Orlando City announced today that the club has re-signed defender Kyle Smith to a new one-year contract through 2025, bringing his free agency to an end after just a few days. The club had announced Dec. 5 it was in negotiations with Smith for his return when the end-of-season roster update came out.
“Bringing Kyle back to Orlando for 2025 is a great step in our project for next season,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s been such a vital piece of our successes over the last few seasons with his versatility and work rate both on and off the field. He’s a player that we know we can always depend on, and we’re excited to have him back with us next year.”
The 32-year-old Cincinnati, OH native originally signed with Orlando City on Dec. 21, 2018, after serving three seasons in the USL with Louisville City. He was well known by then-manager James O’Connor, who had coached Smith in Louisville. Few could have foreseen the length of his stay in Orlando at the time, which has far outlasted O’Connor’s tenure. Muzzi re-signed Smith on March 29, 2021, to a new deal through 2022 with an option year for 2023, which the club exercised Nov. 15, 2022. Although he was already under contract for the following year, Smith signed another new contract through the end of the 2023 season with an option year for 2024 on Dec. 5, 2022. The club picked up that 2024 option almost exactly one year ago on Dec. 11, 2023.
Smith is coming off his sixth season with the Lions, in which he did not score a regular-season goal for the first time since 2020, but he provided three assists to equal his career high. He scored his only goal in any competition in 2024 in a 3-1 win over Cavalry FC in Concacaf Champions Cup play Feb. 27.
He made 40 appearances across all competitions this season (18 starts).
The versatile fullback has made 180 appearances in all competitions (105 starts) in his first six years with the Lions, placing him second on the club’s all-time appearance list behind fellow defender Robin Jansson. Smith has scored five goals and added nine assists during his Orlando City career. In 2022, he helped the Lions win their first trophy since joining Major League Soccer, playing in every match of the tournament as Orlando City claimed the U.S. Open Cup.
What It Means for Orlando City
There is no doubt every club needs at least one player like Smith. He works hard, gives you everything he has, plays wherever he’s asked to play, and has the versatility to play several positions. He has played multiple midfield and back line positions in his time in Orlando, primarily as left back in 2024 after spending most of his previous appearances at right back. He has also been an inexpensive player for the club to fit under the salary cap. In 2024, he made a base salary of $290,000 — the lowest salary of any non-Homegrown who played on Orlando City’s back line this season.
Smith will turn 33 in January, and he’s not always able to keep up with some of the league’s speedy wingers, but he’s still rarely a liability because of his awareness and experience. His role will likely be the same as it’s been in recent times — to provide depth at both fullback positions, starting when injuries or fixture congestion become problematic, and entering games late to help see out wins or spell tired starters. He knows Pareja’s system as well as anyone, has the respect of his teammates, fits in with the team’s culture, and (as previously mentioned) puts in an honest shift. This signing can only be seen as a positive for Orlando City.
Orlando City
Orlando City Striker Duncan McGuire Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
The big forward will miss four to five months after having surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff.
Orlando City announced today that Duncan McGuire has undergone arthroscopic surgery to repair the labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder. The surgery, which the club called “successful,” was necessary to repair damage from an injury McGuire sustained in Orlando City’s playoff match against Charlotte FC Nov. 9 when he was pulled down by Djibril Diani.
Orlando City Chief Medical Officer Dr. Craig Mintzer of the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute performed the surgery.
McGuire’s injury occurred in the decisive Game 3 in the first round in the seventh minute of stoppage time, with the Lions trailing 1-0. Diani tugged McGuire’s shirt as he made a run that would have seen him have a play on a set piece cross in the penalty area. The striker went down hard and was visibly in pain on the ground, before getting to his feet and sprinting to the trainers in the technical area. The training staff appeared to be trying to pop his shoulder back into place but McGuire was unable to return to the match.
Facundo Torres’ subsequent penalty attempt was saved by Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, but before the crowd could fully absorb the missed opportunity, Torres scored on the rebound to level the match at 1-1, ultimately sending the game to a penalty shootout, which Orlando won, 4-1, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
McGuire was seen lobbying to come back onto the pitch for the penalty shootout in the Charlotte match, but trainers would not clear him to return. The 23-year-old came off the bench in Orlando’s remaining playoff games against Atlanta and the New York Red Bulls despite the injury, playing a total of 50 more minutes in the playoffs.
The Creighton product did not register a goal contribution or put any of his three postseason shot attempts on frame. However, he was a key contributor to the Lions reaching the playoffs for the fifth straight year, providing 10 goals and three assists in the regular season across 27 appearances (18 starts), despite missing a chunk of the season with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team.
Orlando City drafted McGuire in the first round (No. 6 overall) in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. After a breakout rookie campaign, in which the Omaha, NE native scored 13 goals and added three assists, he was courted by several teams in Europe. In fact, McGuire’s presence in Orlando this season was an unexpected delight for City fans, as he had agreed to a deal with Blackburn Rovers, only to see the transfer rejected by the English Football League due to an administrative error by the EFL Championship club. After returning to Orlando, McGuire signed a new deal on Aug. 22 to remain a Lion. The new contract runs through 2027 with a club option for 2028.
What It Means for Orlando City
The club puts McGuire’s timeline on recovery at four to five months, which would mean he won’t return to training until at least mid-April and as late as mid-May. If his rehab goes well, and factoring in about a month of training to regain his full fitness, that would likely mean his availability won’t come until somewhere between the middle of May and the middle of June.
While Oscar Pareja has been starting Ramiro Enrique up top in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, McGuire brings size and strength and an ability to occupy center backs that the Argentine can’t replicate. There are times when Enrique’s game is better suited to the opponent, but without McGuire there will be no ability to pivot. Jack Lynn is also under contract, and he can do some of the things McGuire does, but not at the same level.
Without McGuire available for the first half of the season, Orlando City has some options on a replacement. The Lions may opt to draft a striker, start using Luis Muriel in that role more, sign an available free agent, or simply roll with Lynn as the primary backup.
Orlando City
2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Luis Muriel
The Colombian forward started slowly, but showed a lot of promise as he grew into the season.
Orlando City announced the signing of Luis Muriel back on Feb. 15. The Colombian international arrived from Serie A side Atalanta on a three-year deal and slotted in as the team’s third Designated Player alongside Facundo Torres and Martin Ojeda. The club began looking for another striker when it appeared that Duncan McGuire would be on the move to England, and when he stayed, Muriel found himself in a crowded striker depth chart with he, McGuire, Ramiro Enrique, and Jack Lynn all competing for minutes.
The logjam at forward, combined with a late arrival to camp and missing preseason with the team, meant that Muriel took a little time to get going. As a result, he had a fairly worrying start to the season. He settled in after a few months though, and began turning in some much-improved performances off the bench.
Let’s take a look at how Muriel performed during the 2024 season.
Statistical Breakdown
Muriel appeared in 33 regular-season games for the Lions, starting 14 of those and playing a total of 1,582 minutes. He scored five goals and added seven assists, attempting 55 shots and put 17 of them on target. The veteran forward completed 81.3% of his passes, including 37 key passes, two successful crosses, and 22 long balls, while also amassing 43 dribbles. Defensively, he totaled 25 tackles, three interceptions, and seven clearances. He committed 30 fouls, suffered 23, and received two yellow cards.
He also played in three Concacaf Champions Cup matches for Orlando, starting the home match against Cavalry FC and both matches against Tigres, logging 223 minutes. He didn’t score in the competition but provided an assist, attempting four shots and putting two on target. He passed with 82.4% accuracy and played one key pass. On defense, he contributed three clearances. The Colombian forward committed two fouls, drew three on his opponents, and he was not booked.
Muriel made two Leagues Cup appearances — both as a substitute — appearing for 39 minutes in total. He did not provide a goal contribution, although he scored his penalty attempt against Cruz Azul in the postgame shootout after the teams drew. He attempted two off-target shots, passing with 88.9% accuracy, and he did not record any defensive statistics in the competition.
Finally, he appeared as a substitute in all five of OCSC’s postseason games, and logged 89 minutes in the process. While he didn’t record an official goal contribution, he scored on both of his penalty shootout attempts against Kristijan Kahlina in the opening series against Charlotte FC. Muriel attempted six postseason shots, putting one on target, and passing with 79.5% accuracy, including three key passes. He didn’t register any defensive stats. Muriel did not commit a foul and drew five on his opponents and was not booked.
Best Game
There were a couple of candidates for Muriel’s best performance, but I went with Orlando’s 3-2 road win against the Philadelphia Union. The Colombian started that match at striker and played 85 minutes as part of a 3-5-2 alongside Duncan McGuire. The formation was one that was necessitated due to injury as both Rafael Santos and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson were unavailable. The unfamiliar formation didn’t seem to bother Muriel as he opened his Orlando City account in style, cutting onto his left foot in the 41st minute and unleashed a rocket into the top corner.
He followed that up with the eventual game-winner just seconds after halftime. He managed to find a pocket of space in the Union’s back line and Nico Lodeiro’s pass was perfectly weighted to put him in on goal. Muriel used one touch to get the ball out from his feet and his second touch to slide the ball beyond a helpless Oliver Semmle.
His involvement went beyond the two goals though. In addition, he played two key passes, completed a game-high five dribbles, drew two fouls, took three shots (two on target, one off target), completed three long balls, and passed with 85.2% accuracy. On defense, he contributed one tackle and committed one foul, but was not booked.
In the Player Grades piece penned by yours truly, I graded Muriel as an 8.5 out of 10, as he narrowly edged out a superb Nico Lodeiro, who was given an 8.
2024 Final Grade
Our staff here at The Mane Land awarded Muriel a composite grade of 6 out of 10 for his first season wearing purple. It was a difficult start to the season for him, much as it was for most of the team, but he showed some improvement as the season went on and did some good things while being asked to come off the bench.
2025 Outlook
Muriel is under contract through the end of the 2026 season and is on some pretty big money, so barring something very unforeseen he’ll be back next year. He’s a particularly interesting case. His talent and ability is obvious whenever he steps on the field, but we didn’t see a ton of him leading the line in a full-strength team. His vision, passing range, and dribbling ability are among the best on the team, and he probably should have had at least six more assists but was held back by his teammates’ finishing.
There’s no denying that he had a pretty dreadful start to the year, but he quietly morphed into having a pretty fantastic end to the season. The duality of that shows in his final grade for 2024. The main issue is that by the time he started to heat up, Enrique and McGuire were bagging goals, and Oscar Pareja almost always goes with whoever the hot hand is. Going forward, I’d like for the coaching staff to find a way to get him on the field, whether that’s as part of a two-forward system, or he’s slotting in as a no.10, as we often saw him do off the substitutes’ bench. A full off-season will hopefully do him good and help justify the big contract that OCSC gave him.
Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)
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Orlando City2 weeks ago
Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
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Orlando City Announces Roster Decisions Following 2024 Season
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Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Five Takeaways
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Orlando Pride Announce Roster Decisions Following 2024 NWSL Season
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Lion Links1 week ago
Lion Links: 12/4/24
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Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Player Grades and Man of the Match
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2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Alex Freeman