2023 Orlando City Season in Review: Rodrigo Schlegel

Orlando City originally signed center back Rodrigo Schlegel on loan from Racing Club on Dec. 30, 2019. The club then signed him to a new permanent deal on Jan. 19, 2022 and then re-signed him again a year later on Jan. 25, 2023. An injury to Antonio Carlos gave Schlegel the opportunity to show why he was the best backup center back in the league, and to make a case as a starter.

Statistical Breakdown

Schlegel took part in 26 regular-season games, with 22 starts, and recorded 1,973 minutes. He did not score a goal, but did take seven shots with two on target. Schlegel provided one assist on the season, completing 800 of his 942 pass attempts (84.9%).  Defensively, he won 50.6% of his duels, and 41.6% of his headed duels. Schlegel also recorded 34 tackles, 24 interceptions, 15 blocks, and 91 clearances. He committed 27 fouls, suffered 20 fouls, and earned four yellow cards.

The Argentine center back played in all three of Orlando City’s matches in the MLS Cup playoffs, starting all three and logging 257 minutes. He did not score a goal, but did take one shot, which was on target. Schlegel did not have any playoff assists, but completed 86 of his 109 pass attempts (78.9%).  Defensively, he won 64% of his duels and 62.5% of his headed duels. Schlegel also logged four tackles, three interceptions, 21 clearances, and three blocks. He committed three fouls, suffered two fouls, and earned four yellow cards, two of which resulted in a red against the Columbus Crew.

Schlegel started both of the Concacaf Champions Cup games against Tigres UANL, playing 198 minutes. He didn’t record any goals or assists, only took one shot, and completed 68.2% of his passes in the first match and 87.5% of his passes in the second. Defensively, he won 20% of his duels in the first match and 60% of his duels in the second. He committed a total of four fouls, suffered four fouls and earned one yellow card.

He also started and played the entire U.S. Open Cup match against Charlotte FC in which he passed at a 90.2% rate, won 50% of his duels, committed two fouls, suffered two fouls, and earned a yellow card. He did not play any minutes in the three Leagues Cup matches.

Schlegel also made one appearance with OCB in a match against New England Revolution II. He scored a goal on four shots, putting just the one on target. He passed at a 90.2% rate, won 33.3% of his duels, and committed three fouls.

Best Game

The defender’s best game came against Nashville SC. Of course, it could have been either the regular-season match on Oct. 4 or the playoff match on Nov. 7. He was excellent in both matches, but I’ll go with the playoff match. Schlegel was a pest to the Nashville players, getting under their skin all match.

He didn’t have the best passing stats, completing nine of 22 for just a 40.9% success rate. Defensively, he made a tackle and an interception, won a team-high five aerials, and made 11 clearances. He seemingly made it to every ball, winning two fouls, although he also picked up a yellow card. He received Man of the Match on our website and also from both Michael Citro and myself on The Mane Land PawedCast.

2023 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Schlegel a composite grade of 7 out of 10 for the 2023 MLS season. This was an improvement over the 6.5 he received in 2021 and 2022. Due to the injury to Antonio Carlos, Schlegel saw plenty of minutes. Indeed, he maintained the starting position even when Carlos returned as the team was in good form and Oscar Pareja chose to ride with the team’s chemistry and momentum. Schlegel improved in his ability to practice the dark arts. He was able to rile up the opposition without losing his temper as much as in the past. 

2024 Outlook

Schlegel is signed through 2024 with two additional option years, potentially keeping him in Orlando through 2026. With the departure of Antonio Carlos, Schlegel has an excellent chance to start beside Robin Jansson at center back, unless the club opts to spend on a replacement for Carlos. It could be his opportunity to prove his time as a starter in 2023 is just the beginning of what he can do.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Alex Freeman: (11/29/23)
• Abdi Salim: (12/1/23)
• Kyle Smith (12/1/23)
• Junior Urso (12/5/23)
• Favian Loyola (12/7/23)
• Jack Lynn (12/8/23)
• Mason Stajduhar (12/9/23)
• Antonio Carlos (12/13/23)
• Felipe (12/14/23)
• Luca Petrasso (12/15/23)
• Ramiro Enrique (12/18/23)
• Gaston Gonzalez (12/20/23)
• Michael Halliday (12/21/23)
• Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (12/22/23)
• Ivan Angulo (12/25/23)