Orlando City
Orlando City vs. New York City FC: Five Takeaways
Orlando City stretched its unbeaten streak to yet another game as it drew 1-1 with NYCFC. The Lions started well but NYCFC did well to grow into the game after ferocious early pressure from OCSC.
All three points would have been the preferred result, especially based on the balance of play in the early going. NYCFC adjusted well though, and Orlando was probably missing a couple players that would have made all the difference in unlocking the Pigeons’ defense more than just the one time.
Orlando Started Well
The Lions began the game very well. Andres Perea was released inside of one minute of play, but could only fire his shot into the side netting. After that the Lions were pretty darn good for the opening half hour of the game. They controlled possession well, had several excellent passing sequences, and created several chances. The pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Chris Mueller was able to open the scoring with a very well taken header. Unfortunately, the Lions weren’t able to finish another. They weren’t able to create a ton of chances for the rest of the game but the ones they did get went wanting.
Ruan Impactful in Return
Ruan made his return to the starting lineup after not playing in OCSC’s last two matches, and he certainly made his presence felt, especially early. He completely skinned Gudmundur Thórarinsson on the right wing and put the ball perfectly on Mueller’s head for Orlando’s goal. While his offensive impact faded along with the rest of his teammates as the game went on, he displayed his incredible speed several times when tracking back and beating NYCFC players to dangerous balls. Kyle Smith was an able deputy in his absence, but the Brazilian just brings a different element to this team when he’s in the lineup, and that was on display last night.
Young Midfielders Show Well
Joey DeZart and Perea got the starts in the heart of midfield, and for the most part they played pretty well. In the first half hour they were especially good, working hard to disrupt NYCFC when the visitors had the ball, and being smart and tenacious in possession. Perea was especially good at pressing the Pigeons and caused several turnovers while DeZart used his larger frame to good effect when holding up the ball and maintaining possession during challenges by opposing players. They faded as the game went on, however, and the team’s play descended into general sloppiness. Still, they both looked like they belonged for the most part, and put in hard-working shifts.
Rowe’s Big Night
Brian Rowe…wow. He was the Man of the Match in this game, and it wasn’t particularly close. He made seven saves on the night, with three of them being of the spectacular variety. His stops in the 64th and 83rd minutes were simply as good as you’ll see, and on a night when Orlando was sloppy for the majority of the game the Lions needed him to come up big, he did. Rowe made his 100th start in Major League Soccer and he may have turned in his best performance in an Orlando shirt. Aside from his shot stopping he had safe hands when claiming crosses, commanded his box well, and distributed the ball well to his outfield players. He was absolutely excellent last night, and having a backup goalkeeper of his quality and professionalism is invaluable. I’ll be drinking many drinks in his honor.
Sloppy Night for Orlando
As mentioned before, Orlando was sloppy after starting the game well and it was the team’s undoing. After the initial half hour of mostly good play, it ranged from inconsistent to mediocre for the rest of the night. The passing became less crisp, Orlando was far less secure with the ball, and only managed two shots in the second half — a Nani free kick that was well saved by Sean Johnson, and a long-range effort from Kamal Miller. It’s true that the good guys were missing some important pieces in this game though.
In particular, Uri Rosell and Mauricio Pereyra likely would have been extremely helpful in maintaining possession, creating chances, and helping the overall fluidity of Orlando’s play. After NYCFC made adjustments during the first half hydration break, the Lions looked slightly bereft of ideas, and were simply unable to maintain their early level of play. Based on the opening 30 minutes this was a game the team should have won, and the manner in which the match ended up playing out was frustrating.
All in all though, a point is a point. The good guys’ unbeaten streak remains intact, and considering that Joao Moutinho, Rosell, Pereyra, Tesho Akindele, Benji Michel, Sebas Mendez, and Pedro Gallese were all unavailable, getting a point against one of the better teams in the East is ultimately a good thing. I’ll take the time again to spout off about how damn good Rowe was, but hopefully it won’t take a repeat performance from him to get a result against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/21/25
Orlando Pride release preseason camp roster, scouting Costa Rica, women’s soccer transfer grades, and more.
Good morning, everyone! If you had yesterday off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then I hope you enjoyed some restful time off. If not, then I hope you got your week started off on a good and productive note. There’s a lot going on around here this week as the United States Men’s National Team is in town, and Orlando City will play its first preseason match on Saturday. That means we have plenty to discuss, so let’s dig into today’s links.
Orlando Pride Drop Preseason Roster
Monday might have been a holiday but the Orlando Pride were busy, as they announced the roster for their upcoming preseason camp. Almost all of the usual suspects from the 2024 season are back, as the Pride return 98% of the player-minutes from last season and every single scorer. Mariana Larroquette is on the list although she’s currently on loan in Argentina, and Amanda Allen is likewise included after her loan at Lexington Sporting Club was terminated due to a torn labrum. The biggest intrigue comes from the trio of non-roster invitees: goalkeeper DeAira Jackson, midfielder Aryssa Mahrt, and forward Simone Jackson.
Scouting Costa Rica
The USMNT takes on Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium to wrap up the team’s annual January camp. Like the U.S., Costa Rica is bringing a roster devoid of the majority of its important players. Costa Rica also has a new manager at the helm in Miguel Herrera, who will take charge of the team for the very first time on Wednesday. Herrera typically lines his teams up in a 5-3-2 where the wingbacks take on a very important role and the team looks to hit on the counter while staying compact at the back. This will be the last time we see the USMNT in action until the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in early March.
Women’s Soccer January Transfer Grades
January has been a busy time for transfers in the women’s soccer world, so which teams have done the best business? Well, the Orlando Pride received an A grade for signing Marta to a new two-year deal, retaining a player who helped the team win its first ever trophies. Liverpool got an A for signing Julia Bartel on loan from Chelsea. Leicester City made an interesting call by transferring goalkeeper Lize Kop to Tottenham despite just being a point above the relegation zone. The Foxes get a C for the move, while Spurs get a B+ for adding a capable netminder.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a number of Americans taking part in some very important games over the course of this week. Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus face Club Brugge today in the UEFA Champions League, while Ricardo Pepi, Richy Ledezma, Esmir Bajraktarević, Malik Tillman and PSV Eindhoven take on Crvena Zvezda in the same competition. Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan will play Girona in the UCL on Wednesday, while Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic take on Young Boys. On Friday, John Tolkin could make his Bundesliga debut when his new team, Holstein Kiel, travels to face Wolfsburg.
Free Kicks
- Orlando Pride players reported for their preseason physicals on Monday.
- Meanwhile, Orlando City took on the dreaded beep test during Monday’s training session.
- Toronto FC has signed goalkeeper Luka Gavran to a contract extension that runs through 2027, with an option for 2028.
- Australia Men’s National Team Head Coach Tony Popovic praised MLS as a destination for Australian players, noting the league’s resources and professionalism.
That’s all I have for you today. Vamos Orlando!
Orlando City
Striker Suddenly a Position of Need for Orlando City
Departures and a key injury mean Orlando City needs a striker heading into the 2025 MLS season.
Orlando City reached the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in 2024, a milestone for the club. The core of the team was locked up through the 2025 season, so there was no reason to believe it needed to add much this off-season. Unfortunately, injuries and departures have created a serious problem for the team.
The group of forwards last year consisted of Duncan McGuire, Ramiro Enrique, and Jack Lynn. McGuire scored 15 goals in 2023 and was expected to depart for Blackburn Rovers before a clerical error allowed the Lions to keep their target man. The team’s primary striker scored 11 goals in 37 games — the same number as the previous season — but split time starting with Enrique. The Argentinian improved greatly in 2024, increasing his total goal tally from four to 12. Even Lynn showed tremendous improvement last year, playing a greater role in the team and scoring his first two MLS goals.
The future also seemed bright for the Orlando City forwards because of their ages. Lynn is the oldest of the trio at just 25 years old. Meanwhile, McGuire and Enrique are only 23, so there was no reason to believe this group couldn’t produce this coming season.
The problem at striker began in the postseason when McGuire was pulled down by Charlotte FC midfielder Djibril Diani in the final first round game of the playoffs. McGuire suffered a shoulder injury during the challenge that required surgery on Dec. 13. It’s expected that the striker could take four to five months to return to action, possibly leaving him out until May or June.
Another blow to Orlando’s attack occurred Saturday when Lynn surprisingly announced his retirement from professional soccer. In just over a month, Orlando City went from having three strikers to having just one as preseason training starts.
With McGuire injured and Lynn gone, one option would be to have Designated Player Luis Muriel play up top. However, the Colombian prefers to play a more withdrawn position and proved to be effective in that role last year. Since Head Coach Oscar Pareja prefers to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Lions need someone up top to control the ball and involve the midfielders in the attack. That’s not Muriel’s game.
The result of these issues is that nobody is currently behind Enrique when the season begins. If the Argentinian gets tired, hurt, or simply needs rest, Pareja is limited in his options.
Whether there was a lack of strikers or a lack of goals from the position previously, that problem was resolved by the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. Facundo Torres scored 20 goals in 2024, becoming the first player in Orlando City’s MLS history and the second player in club history to do so. He went on to set a new club record for total goals of 47.
However, Orlando City sold its best player to Brazilian side Palmeiras on Dec. 20. It was a gut punch to fans as Torres had signed a new contract on Jan. 10, 2024 that ran through the 2026 season. There had been talk for the last couple of years that the attacker would look for a move to Europe and rumors of a move to South America arose this off-season. Still, it created a huge gap the club has to fill.
There are players on the roster that can make up for the injury and departures. Martin Ojeda had a strong season in 2024, finishing with seven goals and 13 assists. His seven goals ranked fourth on the team and his 13 assists topped the squad alongside Nico Lodeiro. Muriel came on strong later in the season, finishing with five goals and eight assists. But those numbers are a long way from the 20 goals that Torres tallied last year.
Even if you consider all goal contributions, Ojeda and Muriel fall well short of Torres. Ojeda had a total of 20 goal contributions in 2024 while Muriel had 13. In addition to Torres’s 20 goals, he added nine assists for a team-leading 29 goal contributions.
All of this information leads to one undeniable fact — Orlando City needs to sign a striker prior to the season. And there’s not much time for Luiz Muzzi to act. The European transfer window closes on Feb. 3 and many MLS teams have already been filling similar needs. With the season starting in just over a month, the options will be limited if the Lions don’t do something soon.
After the best postseason finish in Orlando City’s MLS history, things were looking good heading into 2025. While the back line and most of the midfield is returning, McGuire’s injury and the departure of Torres and Lynn have left the Lions in a tough spot offensively. If they don’t do something in the next couple of weeks, it could be a long 2025.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/20/25
Orlando City signs Nicolas Rodriguez, Jack Lynn announces retirement, USMNT defeats Venezuela in friendly, and more.
Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you’re all having a good holiday weekend as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Over the past week, I’ve been working and covering high school ice hockey. It will be a busy week in Orlando, with the United States Men’s National Team’s match against Costa Rica on Wednesday and Orlando City’s first preseason match against Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.
Orlando City Signs Nicolas Rodriguez
Orlando City announced on Friday that the club has signed forward Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza CEIF in Colombia’s top flight. The deal is through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028, and Rodriguez will occupy a MLS U22 Initiative slot. Rodriguez made 19 appearances for Fortaleza, recording 1,607 minutes, five goals, and three assists during the 2024 Primera A Clausura season. The Lions add a young attacking player the club can develop and Rodriguez can play on the right wing, the right side of a three-man midfield, or in the No. 10 spot.
Jack Lynn Announces Retirement
Orlando City forward Jack Lynn announced his retirement from professional soccer on Saturday. Lynn was drafted by Orlando in the first round of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He became a regular starter for Orlando City B, scoring a team-record 38 goals in over three seasons with the MLS NEXT Pro side. Lynn also won the Golden Boot with 19 goals during the 2023 season and became the first OCB player to be named MLS NEXT Pro MVP. He played sparingly with the first team, but he scored twice last season as his role increased. The Lions will likely look to add another striker for more depth up top.
Orlando Pride Acquire Allocation Money in Trade
On Friday, the Orlando Pride announced that the club has acquired $50,000 in Allocation Money from the Washington Spirit. In exchange, the Pride sent the Spirit a 2025 international roster spot. The Pride will face the Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on March 7 at Inter&Co Stadium.
USMNT Defeats Venezuela in Friendly
The USMNT defeated Venezuela 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday in a friendly. Jack McGlynn and Patrick Agyemang scored in the first half to give the USMNT a 2-0 lead just before halftime. Matko Milijevic scored the third goal for the Americans in the second half, with Venezuela pulling one back thanks to a goal from Jorge Yriarte. Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino has led the USMNT to winning four out of its first five matches since he took charge last September. The USMNT’s next match will be against Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium.
Alyssa Naeher Named U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year
On Saturday, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was voted 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Naeher won 40% of the vote, while defender Naomi Girma finished in second with 32%. In her final year with the USWNT, Naeher ended 2024 with 18 starts, playing 1,170 minutes and only conceding 11 goals. She played a crucial role with clutch saves to help the USWNT win the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup, and gold at the Olympics in Paris. Naeher is the second goalkeeper to win the award since Hope Solo won it in 2009.
Free Kicks
- Orlando City and the Pride announced a partnership with the YMCA of Central Florida to launch the Lions Pride Jr. soccer program.
- Angel City FC forward Christen Press has reached an agreement with the club on a new one-year contract for the 2025 NWSL season.
- GiveMeSport ranked which MLS club has made the best winter transfer moves so far this off-season. Atlanta United, the San Jose Earthquakes, and FC Cincinnati were the top three ranked clubs.
- The LA Galaxy have re-signed defender and captain Maya Yoshida to a two-year contract through the 2026 MLS season.
- Brazilian side Santos is reportedly in talks to sign Neymar on a loan deal from Al-Hilal.
- Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has reached an agreement with the club on a record-breaking contract that extends his deal through 2034.
That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.
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