Orlando City
Facundo Torres Signs New Contract with Orlando City through 2026
Orlando City’s talisman has inked a new deal through at least 2026.
Orlando City announced today that the club has signed Uruguayan forward Facundo Torres to a new three-year contract through 2026, with club options for 2027 and 2028. Torres remains a Designated Player, occupying a senior DP slot, along with Martin Ojeda. The deal was first reported Tuesday by Mike Gramajo of WESH News.
Originally signed to a three-year contract through 2025 on Jan. 24, 2022, Torres’ initial contract with Orlando City had a single club option year for 2026. Now, barring a transfer, Torres could be in purple through the 2028 season.
Torres is also changing his number to 10 from 17, as has been widely reported, which means fellow Uruguayan Nico Lodeiro won’t be wearing that number upon his arrival in Orlando.
“Facu has proven himself to be such an important part of our team these last couple of years,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He’s fulfilled our expectations that we set out for him at the start, showing great potential for even further growth. We’re really pleased to have him signed with us for even longer, as we strive for bigger objectives.”
Torres, 23, is coming off his second season with the Lions, in which he scored 14 goals and added four assists, playing 30 of Orlando City’s 34 regular-season matches in 2023. Of those 30 appearances, 28 were starts. He attempted 65 shots, putting 26 on target, recorded 47 key passes, and provided 32 successful crosses. Across all competitions, Torres has started 72 times and has made 79 total appearances, racking up 27 goals and 16 assists.
“First, I want to thank the club and the fans for the amazing support they provide and for always having confidence in me,” Torres said in the club’s press release. “I’m very happy to stay here in Orlando and continue this journey together. Vamos Orlando!”
Torres became a professional player in 2020 with Peñarol in Uruguay’s top flight, making the jump from that club’s academy. He scored for the senior side on his debut just five minutes after his 46th-minute introduction on Aug. 16, 2020 against Boston River. In 71 appearances across all competitions with Peñarol, Torres scored 16 goals and added 15 assists. He scored in the championship match to help Peñarol win the 2021 Liga Profesional de Primera División title. He has also competed with Peñarol in both Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
At the international level, Torres has appeared with Uruguay at the U-15, U-17, U-20, and senior national team levels. He debuted for the senior team in June of 2021 and made his senior international debut for Uruguay against Paraguay, coming off the bench in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. He was named to the roster for Uruguay’s most recent round of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Argentina (Nov. 16) and Bolivia (Nov. 21).
Torres has 15 caps with Uruguay, five of which have come since he joined Orlando City. He has scored one goal for his country, netting his first in a friendly against Cuba on June 21, 2023. He notched his first assist in the 2021 Copa America. Torres was on Uruguay’s 2022 FIFA World Cup roster.
What It Means for Orlando City
It will be interesting to see what Torres is making when the next MLSPA salary release comes out. Torres made a base salary of $640,000 in 2023 and a total guaranteed compensation of $994,200. Transitioning from a Young Designated Player (YDP) to a senior DP, when combined with Orlando City having used up its MLS U22 Initiative slots, means the Lions can currently only sign a YDP with their third slot.
The deal extends Torres’ initial deal by one year, adds another club option year, and likely pays him more. It’s important for the club to keep him happy and this deal appears to accomplish that. While there have been several rumors about interest from European clubs, so far there haven’t been any offers significant enough for a Torres transfer. However, this is a young, talented player, who is just entering his prime years and is still very much on the radar of clubs all over the world. This new contract doesn’t change the fact that in any given window the Lions may receive an offer that they can’t refuse. So, it remains to be seen how many of the five possible years on this new deal Torres actually spends with Orlando City.
For now, it appears Torres is happy to continue wearing purple for the Lions, and if European clubs come calling, Muzzi will act in the best interests of the club on whether to sell the Uruguayan or keep him in the City Beautiful.
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/15/25
Javier Otero called up, Sofia Manner moves on, MLS roster and transfer news, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It may not feel like it yet, but the new season is just around the corner. The Lions have started preseason training, the Orlando Pride are making roster moves, and you can just about see the possibilities. There’s still a chill in the air, but my heart warms in anticipation. Let’s get to the links.
Otero Called Up
Orlando City SC backup goalkeeper Javier Otero was called up by Venezuela for the upcoming friendly against the USMNT at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. The match will take place Saturday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. Representing your country is always a privilege, and fortunately for Otero, this call-up won’t necessitate a long trip. We wish Otero good luck and hope for an injury-free trip.
Pride Transfer Goalkeeper Sofia Manner
Sofia Manner’s time in Orlando is done. The goalkeeper is headed to AFC Toronto of Canada’s top flight, the Northern Super League for an undisclosed transfer fee. When Manner was brought in she was expected to compete for the starting role. Given that Anna Moorhouse is not going anywhere, it is not unexpected for Manner to want to go someplace where she can get more playing time. The Pride still have McKinley Crone and Kat Asman behind Moorhouse on the bench.
More on New MLS Roster Rules; Transfer News
Major League Soccer officially announced the roster rule changes for 2025. We highlighted some of those changes in Tuesday’s Lion Links. One other interesting rule makes Off-Roster Homegrown Players eligible to appear in up to six MLS league matches along with unlimited first-team appearances in Cup competitions.
We’re still waiting on some off-season signings from Orlando City, but there’s also still plenty of time. Here are the important dates to know around the MLS transfer window. Other clubs are doing some business. The New England Revolution have signed free agent defender Wyatt Omsberg, and D.C. United acquired midfielder Randall Leal off waivers. San Diego FC is reportedly close to signing USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre on loan from La Liga side Celta de Vigo.
NASL Antitrust Trial Update
The NASL antitrust case against U.S. Soccer heads to trial this week. MLS is also a co-defendant with U.S. Soccer. The NASL claims that U.S. Soccer and MLS conspired to keep the league from competing in either the Division 1 or Division 2 level of professional soccer. The trial is expected to last a few weeks with as much as $500 million at stake.
Free Kicks
- The North Carolina Courage just leveled up their attack, adding Jaedyn Shaw from the San Diego Wave for $300,000 in Allocation Money and $150,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds.
- Former Orlando City goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh has signed with New York City FC through 2026 with an option for 2027
- Bad news for Arsenal supporters, as the club has confirmed that forward Gabriel Jesus suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the match against Manchester United on Sunday.
- Facundo Torres’ new club Palmeiras has reached an agreement to send defender Vitor Reis to Manchester City for £29.4 million. As for Torres, he was officially presented by Palmeiras to the club’s faithful. Given Orlando City’s sell-on clause, here’s hoping that Palmeiras is able to sell him on for a whole lot of money.
- File this under the “I never expected to write this sentence” category. Lazio’s falconer was fired for sharing images of his penile implant on social media. Yeah.
- Here’s a nice little clip of the Lions at work in the preseason.
- The Orlando Pride are taking donations this Thursday and Friday for those in need in the greater Los Angeles area affected by the devastating fires.
That will do it for today, though I also encourage you to listen to the latest episode of SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast. We interviewed soon-to-be-former senior director of communications for both Orlando City and the Orlando Pride, Jackie Maynard. Jackie has been with the club for nine years, and she has made our job here at The Mane Land much easier with her professionalism and generosity. We will miss her as she moves on to her next adventure. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 1/14/25
Orlando City begins preseason, Orlando Pride sign defender Zara Chavoshi, MLS transfer roundup, and more.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! It’s been a busy few days for me and sadly I won’t be getting much of a break as my work schedule continues to be packed this week. As is always the case, we have plenty of things to talk through this morning, so let’s jump into today’s links.
Orlando City Opens Preseason
It seems like the 2024 season just came to a close, but Orlando City had its first day of preseason training on Monday. The Lions didn’t quite have everyone in attendance, as Shak Mohammed, Jack Lynn, and Ivan Angulo were not present, while Duncan McGuire and Mason Stajduhar trained off to the side. It was a good first day back though, as the team got its first taste of life without Facundo Torres. One of the big talking points of this preseason will be how the team replaces Facu, with the upcoming preseason games set to evaluate where the team stands.
Orlando Pride Sign Zara Chavoshi
The Orlando Pride announced Monday that the team has signed defender Zara Chavoshi to a one-year contract. The 22-year-old spent the last four years with Wake Forest, where she played both center back and right back for the Demon Deacons. She helped the team advance to the championship of the NCAA College Cup, where the team fell to North Carolina. While she may not play too much during the 2025 season, this is a signing that should provide solid defensive depth while the team evaluates whether or not to award her a longer deal in the future.
MLS Transfer Roundup
Monday saw a slew of MLS teams not named Orlando City making transfer moves, and that means we have a lot to catch up on. We start with confirmation that the San Jose Earthquakes have signed Josef Martinez. Sporting Kansas City decided to continue the trend of signing forwards, as it announced the acquisition of free agent striker Mason Toye, who most recently played for the Portland Timbers. San Diego FC has signed midfielder Onni Valakari on loan from Pafos FC of the Cypriot first division. LAFC has announced the signing of midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on loan from Celtic. Finally, Toronto FC has sold winger Thiago Andrade to Cerezo Osaka of the J1 League.
Americans in Midweek Action
There are a ton of American players who will be taking part in games this week, and there are some good matchups to look forward to. Things get going today as Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and AC Milan face Como in Serie A play, while Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus travel to take on a strong Atalanta side. Tomorrow has Chris Richards, Matt Turner, and Crystal Palace taking on Leicester City in the Premier League, while Johnny Cardoso and Real Betis have a tough Copa del Rey test against Barcelona. Luca de la Torre and Celta Vigo will then have a similarly tough task on Thursday when they face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Things wrap up on Friday when Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell, and Borussia Dortmund hit the road to play Nathaniel Brown and Eintracht Frankfurt in Bundesliga play.
Philadelphia Union Hit with Transfer Ban
The Philadelphia Union are currently on FIFA’s transfer ban list (paywall) handed down from FIFA — with the club currently unable to register new players for the next three transfer windows. The issue is reportedly linked to the 2022 signing of Venezuelan striker Jose Riasco. The Union owed $700 to Mineros de Guayana — Riasco’s boyhood club, as part of the sell-on percentage it was owed due to developing him. The Union had a difficult time finding a way to pay the club, and the missing money was reported to FIFA. While the Union have been trying to get the issue cleared up since December, they are not the only team dealing with a ban, so it’s uncertain how long it will take to resolve.
Free Kicks
- Check out some of the views from Orlando City’s first day of preseason training.
- MLS has reportedly instituted a cash-based internal trade system which will start immediately.
- Casey Stoney has been named the new head coach of the Canadian women’s national team.
- Kai Havertz’s wife has shared abusive messages she received on social media after Arsenal lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!
Orlando City
Martin Ojeda Could Become a Star for Orlando City in 2025
Will Martin Ojeda replace Facundo Torres’ goal production in 2025?
Orlando City signed Martin Ojeda on Jan. 9, 2023, using the Designated Player slot formerly occupied by club captain Mauricio Pereyra. The signing came with quite a bit of hype as it seemed the Argentinian midfielder would line up alongside Ivan Angulo and Facundo Torres to bolster the attack. It’s been an up-and-down first two seasons for the attacker, but 2025 could be his breakout campaign.
Ojeda began his career in Orlando as a regular in the starting lineup before being relegated to the bench for most of the second half of the 2023 MLS season. He spent more time in the starting lineup in 2024, eventually winning a spot in the starting XI. From June 28, 2024, to the end of the season, Ojeda started all but one game for the Lions, including every game in the team’s playoff run to the Eastern Conference final.
Orlando City is beginning a new era after the departure of the club’s all-time top goal scorer Facundo Torres earlier this off-season. The Uruguayan left a lasting mark on the club in just three years, including lifting the club to its first major trophy — the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In his three years in purple, Torres tallied 47 goals and 72 total goal contributions — both the most in club history, even if you include the USL era. He was the focal point of the offense, especially when the strikers weren’t scoring. His 20 goals in all competitions last year led the team and helped the Lions reach the Eastern Conference final for the first time.
It’s fair to expect the club’s strikers to pick up for the goals departing with Torres. However, the current striker group is unlikely to do so. Duncan McGuire netted 15 goals in 2023 before missing a chunk of 2024 while at the Summer Olympics. Ramiro Enrique started in his place, scoring 12 times, a significant increase from his four goals a year earlier. But the diminutive forward hasn’t shown that he can lead the team in scoring.
Making matters worse, the Lions will be without McGuire for a considerable part of next season. The striker was injured during the playoffs and required surgery on his shoulder this off-season. It will likely take time for him to return to action, resulting in Oscar Pareja depending on Enrique in the starting lineup unless another forward is signed.
Torres made up for the lack of goals from the striker position last year and that production has been tough for Ojeda to match. However, while some might consider the Designated Player disappointing in most of his first two seasons, he created plenty of opportunities in 2024. Torres played 858 more minutes than Ojeda last season and only had 12 more shots. While Ojeda didn’t get on the scoresheet as often as Torres, he created chances for others, racking up a team-leading 13 assists.
When it comes to goal scoring, Torres’ production largely has to do with his shooting accuracy. The Uruguayan put 41 of his 88 shots (46.6%) on frame. Meanwhile, Ojeda only put 30 of his 76 shots on goal (39.5%). This is a major reason why Torres netted 20 goals in all competitions and Ojeda only scored seven times.
Especially considering that Ojeda started 34 games last season, the midfielder is almost guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. And with Torres now playing in Brazil, Ojeda will likely be a focal point of the Lions’ attack. This gives the attacker a chance to fill the hole left by Torres and live up to his Designated Player status.
Torres leaves Orlando with an impeccable reputation, and the way Ojeda is viewed as a Designated Player signing will largely depend on if he can replace Torres’ goal contributions. If he can increase his production and replace the goals scored by Torres, Orlando City fans will think much more highly of the attacker. However, his failure to produce similar numbers as the departed star could hurt his legacy as a Lion.
Expectations will be high for Orlando City in 2025. The Lions were widely expected to contend for the Supporters’ Shield and/or MLS Cup, and while they didn’t meet those lofty goals, they made it farther than any previous MLS incarnation of the team. To make it one step further in 2025, they’ll need Ojeda to step up and help to replace the star they lost in December.
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