2023 Orlando City Season in Review: Duncan McGuire

Orlando City selected Duncan McGuire with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, despite heading into the 2023 season with an established striker in Designated Player Ercan Kara, who was firmly entrenched as the squad’s No. 9. The thought process was that the rookie taken from Creighton could develop over time into a part of the first team offense. McGuire, however, had other plans, and the Omaha native took the City Beautiful and Major League Soccer by storm with a breakout rookie season.

Let’s take a look back at the rookie striker’s first year with Orlando City.

Statistical Breakdown

McGuire appeared in 29 of Orlando City’s 34 regular-season matches in 2023, starting 17 and logging 1,395 minutes. He scored 13 goals and contributed three assists, while attempting 33 shots on the season, 24 of which were on target. McGuire passed at a 69.4% clip on the season on 232 passing attempts and was credited with 15 key passes. The rookie won 49.1% of his duels and 36% of his aerial duels. Defensively, McGuire contributed five tackles, two interceptions, 17 clearances, and one blocked shot. He committed five more fouls (21) than he suffered (16) and was booked twice.

The 22-year-old started all three of Orlando City’s playoff matches, logging 230 minutes. He did not have a goal contribution and attempted four shots, all of which were off target. He completed 74.2% of his 31 passing attempts, for a slightly higher completion percentage than in the regular season. McGuire also was credited with four key passes in the postseason. Defensively, McGuire recorded three tackles and three clearances during the 2023 playoff run. He committed one foul while drawing five from the opposition over the three matches, but was not booked.

McGuire made one appearance in the squad’s first run in the Concacaf Champions League, playing 20 minutes off the bench in the home leg against Tigres. He logged two shot attempts, with one on target, did not complete a successful pass out of two total attempts and committed one foul.

In Leagues Cup, McGuire started all three of the Lions’ matches, playing 198 total minutes. He recorded two goals with four shots on target out of five total shots throughout the competition.

The rookie successfully completed 60.9% of his 32 total passing attempts. Defensively, McGuire contributed two interceptions and he committed four fouls while suffering one. Additionally, McGuire was issued one yellow card.

In Orlando City’s lone U.S. Open Cup match against Charlotte FC, McGuire started and played the full 90 minutes. He recorded one shot attempt, which was not on target, and completed just two of his 10 total passing attempts.

Best Game

Several matches come to mind, due to McGuire’s nose for finding the back of the net at opportune times, but the match that stands out the most was his performance on Decision Day 2023 in a 2-0 road win over Toronto FC. Ultimately a game which did not affect the standings and against a Toronto FC team which had absolutely nothing to play for, it would have been easy for Orlando City to essentially mail it in. Mailing it in, simply is not part of McGuire’s DNA. McGuire entered in the 63rd minute and 15 minutes of later, the rookie had recorded a brace. capping off a excellent rookie season.

His first goal will be included in Orlando City highlight reels for the foreseeable future and should have been awarded the MLS Goal of the Year. After collecting a long ball from keeper Mason Stajduhar, McGuire ended Toronto and former USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley’s career, chipping the ball over him and speeding past before sending a screamer from outside the 18-yard box into the top left corner.

I could seriously watch that replay 100 times a day and not get board for one second! He followed up his first goal by running onto a superb through ball from Kyle Smith and then calmly slotting a ball past Sean Johnson in the 74th minute.

Coming off the bench in the second half, McGuire only had eight touches, but maximized them. He converted 75% of his four passes and scored a brace on his only two shots. He was named Man of the Match by our Sean Rollins for a superb substitute appearance.

2023 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave McGuire a composite grade of 7.5 out of 10 for his first professional season. There were certainly a few ups and downs as McGuire dealt with a few knocks and growing pains as the season progressed but he brought excitement to the city, inspired the catch phrase “Orlando runs on Duncan” as a rookie, and ultimately proved with his motor and desire that he belonged in the starting lineup match in and match out. He played so well that he took Kara’s starting job and the Designated Player was sold to Samsunspor in Turkey.

2024 Outlook

Orlando City recently rejected a loan offer from Blackburn Rovers of the EFL Championship, sending a clear message that heading into the 2024 season, McGuire will be the starter on opening day unless a club submits a serious transfer offer. His biggest area in need of improvement is to perform more consistently across the 34-game schedule and avoid some of the periods where he was unable to be the threat Orlando needs up top, including in the postseason. A bump in his second season would be a exciting development for a player who contributed 15 goals and three assists during his rookie campaign. If McGuire is able to bump those numbers up even slightly, then the Orlando City offense will continue to purr.

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)
• Rodrigo Schlegel (12/28/23)
• Martin Ojeda (12/29/23)
• Rafael Santos (12/29/23)