Orlando City

2023 Orlando City Season in Review: Wilder Cartagena

Wilder Cartagena had a breakout season for Orlando City, becoming an essential part of the club’s success.

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12 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City initially acquired midfielder Wilder Cartagena on loan through the 2022 MLS season. After a successful end of the year, the club exercised the option to extend the loan through the 2023 season. He became a key player in the starting lineup for the Lions, resulting in the club signing him to a permanent deal on Dec. 14.

Let’s take a look at Cartagena’s 2023 MLS campaign.

Statistical Overview

Cartagena played in 24 of the team’s 34 regular-season games this year, starting 23 and recording 1,909 minutes. He put four of his 11 shots on target (36.4%) and scored once. The defensive midfielder completed 925 of his 1,041 pass attempts (88.9%), including 56 long balls, 14 key passes, and two assists. Defensively, Cartagena recorded 11 interceptions, one clearance, and seven blocks, and won 30 of his 58 tackles (51.7%). He committed 55 fouls, drew 37, and was issued eight yellow cards and one red card.

In the MLS Cup playoffs, Cartagena started all three games and recorded 214 minutes. He only put one of his three shots on target, but it was a goal. He completed 67 of his 81 pass attempts (82.7%), including one key pass and four long balls, but didn’t record any assists. On the defensive end, he had two interceptions, five tackles, two clearances, and a block, and won 46.4% of his duels. The midfielder committed eight fouls, drew two, and was issued two yellow cards.

Cartagena had yet to win a starting spot alongside Cesar Araujo when the Concacaf Champions League started, so he only played in one game, coming off the bench at halftime. He didn’t take any shots or have any assists, but completed 68.4% of his passes.

By the time the Leagues Cup came around, Mauricio Pereyra had moved into the attacking midfield and Cartagena was a regular starter. He started all three games of the competition for 260 minutes. One of his three shots was on target and, similar to the playoffs, it was his lone goal. He also completed 33.3% of his passes and had two tackles.

Cartagena didn’t start in the team’s U.S. Open Cup game against Charlotte FC, coming off the bench at halftime. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of an impact. He took one off-target shot as the Lions were shut out, but completed all of his passes and won two tackles.

Best Game

Cartagena had several excellent games this season, but his best game of the year was probably the team’s 4-0 drubbing of Toronto FC on the Fourth of July. The defensive midfielder was very active in this game, touching the ball 82 times. He completed 97.2% of his 71 passes, including two key passes, and all seven long balls. He nearly scored in the 56th minute, hitting the left post off a corner kick.

The defensive midfielder also had an impact on the defensive end of this game, helping his team claim a clean sheet. He ended up with two tackles, one interception, and a blocked shot. His mind games also helped the team come away with three points when he got into it with Federico Bernardeschi, resulting in the Italian bumping him for his second yellow card. He might’ve been slightly outdone by his partner Araujo, but our Marcus Mitchell gave him a grade of 7.5 out of 10 for the performance.

2023 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave Cartagena a composite 7.5 out of 10 grade for the 2023 MLS season. It took a few weeks for the midfielder to really get going, but he was extremely solid week after week once he was a regular in the starting lineup. He and Araujo have created a terrific partnership that has benefited the team offensively and defensively. His 7.5 was his first end-of-season rating by TML because he didn’t log enough minutes in 2022 and was therefore given an incomplete rating.

2024 Outlook

After an excellent stint on loan, Orlando City bought Cartagena from UAE Pro League club Ittihad Kalba FC. Now a permanent member of the team, he’ll continue his role in 2024 alongside Araujo as one of the best defensive midfield units in MLS. At 29 years old, he’s still in the prime of his career and is a good influence on the younger Araujo.

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