Orlando City Loans Luca Petrasso to Italian Club Triestina

As has been widely reported for the last couple of weeks, Orlando City fullback/midfielder Luca Petrasso has gone on loan to Italy. The Lions sent Petrasso to Triestina in Serie C on loan today for six months, although Triestina has an option to buy.

“Luca is someone who has shown us his hard work and potential for the future,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “This loan is a great opportunity for Luca to grow even more and get more regular competitive minutes, as well as expose his talents to the European market. We look forward to watching how he grows over these next six months and takes advantage of his opportunity.”

Petrasso, 23, was acquired from Toronto FC on Nov. 9, 2022 in exchange for $300,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) with the potential for $50,000 more GAM in 2024 and 2025 if certain performance metrics were met. He began the season as the starter at left back, getting the nod in the starting XI on opening day against the New York Red Bulls (making his OCSC debut) and starting both Champions League games against Tigres and three of the club’s first six regular-season matches. He missed some time due to injury and Rafael Santos solidified a hold on the starting left back position.

Petrasso appeared in 12 league games (four starts), and totaled 430 minutes. The left back did not score a goal or assist on one in his first season with the Lions. Defensively, he recorded eight tackles, three interceptions, six clearances, and one block, while four committing four fouls and winning three aerial duels. Offensively, he took two shots, both of which were off target, completed one dribble, made four key passes, hit on four long balls and completed one cross, while passing with 79.5% accuracy and drawing one foul. He was not booked. He earned a 5.5 out of 10 rating from The Mane Land staff for his first season with the Lions.

While in Italy, Petrasso will try to help Triestina get promoted. The club is third in the league’s Group A table and stands eight points behind an automatic promotion spot.

What It Means for Orlando City

On the surface this seems like a good move for the club to get Petrasso more minutes and to develop him further as a player, bringing him back after Italy’s soccer season ends. And perhaps that is what will happen. However, if Petrasso works out, it seems likely Triestina will exercise his purchase option. Without knowing how much the cost of that purchase option is makes things a little bit cloudy.

At best, Petrasso returns to the club a bit more seasoned and ready to go during a busy 2024 season that includes multiple competitions but not a big change in MLS roster size to help clubs navigate all those matches. At worst (for all parties), Petrasso comes back the exact same player he was when he left, which isn’t to say a bad player, but one that needs more consistency to play at the MLS level. If Triestina buys him, the club gets something for him and, chances are, he’s helped that club make the jump to Serie B.

In the meantime, unless there are other moves coming, Kyle Smith is Orlando City’s backup at left back. He’s been a decent backup in that role before, but his weaknesses (playing on his off foot, struggles against quicker wingers) are known.