Orlando City Signs Midfielder Yutaro Tsukada to First-Team Contract

Orlando City announced this afternoon that the club has signed Orlando City B midfielder Yutaro Tsukada to a first-team contract. The deal runs through the 2025 MLS season with club options for 2026 and 2027.

“Yutaro has shown us a lot so far this year, both on the field and off, during his time with Orlando City B and has proven the importance of our development pathway,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He has demonstrated his ability to impact games with his speed and flair but has also shown his abilities to improve the team as a whole with hard work and effort off the ball. We look forward to him continuing his development with the first team and are excited to see him level his game up even more.”

Tsukada was selected by Orlando City with the 25th overall pick of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft out of West Virginia University. After spending preseason with the club, the first-round pick signed a one-year MLS NEXT Pro deal to play with OCB. The 23-year-old Tokyo native has made 14 appearances with the Young Lions, starting 13 games and recording 1,068 minutes. He’s scored four goals and recorded four assists in those appearances.

Additionally, Tsukada has been signed to multiple short-term deals with the first team this year, making the team sheet for three MLS games and three Leagues Cup games. He made his first-team debut on May 15 against Inter Miami, coming on in second-half stoppage time for Facundo Torres. His second appearance was on July 26 against CF Montreal in the Leagues Cup when he came on in the 84th minute for Martin Ojeda.

“I am extremely honored to become a part of the first team. I would like to thank the club and all of the fans for the amazing support that I have received since being drafted here to Orlando,” Tsukada said in the club’s press release. “I’m excited to continue the hard work and competing for this club.”

Tsukada began his soccer-playing career in his native Japan with FC Tokyo. He played at Daytona State in 2020 and 2021 before transferring to West Virginia University, where he played for two seasons before entering the MLS SuperDraft.

The left-sided midfielder made 40 appearances with the Division 1 West Virginia Mountaineers with 31 starts. His breakout season came in 2023 when he scored 12 goals with nine assists, earning him All-America Third Team and All-Southeast Region First Team honors by the United Soccer Coaches.

What This Means for Orlando City

Tsukada has been a key playmaker for OCB this season, causing problems for opposing defenses. His play on the left has been noticed by Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja, resulting in the 23-year-old receiving multiple short-term contracts with the first team and appearing in two games.

The Young Lions typically focus on the left side when Tsukada starts due to his ability to create scoring opportunities. Despite being third on OCB with four goals this year, the main benefit of having him in the team is his ability to set up teammates. Tsukada is willing and able to take on defenders one-on-one, often drawing others to him and opening space for other attackers.

While Tsukada won’t supplant Ivan Angulo on the left side of the Lions’ attack, he’ll likely be on the bench frequently for the first team and make late-game appearances when necessary. Meanwhile, he’ll still be able to gain valuable minutes for OCB, where he’s been a mainstay for the majority of the season.