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2024 Orlando City Season in Review: Duncan McGuire

It was a rollercoaster ride of a season for striker Duncan McGuire.

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2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Orlando City selected Duncan McGuire with the No. 6 overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. He then cemented the starting role in his rookie season, earning a look from Blackburn Rovers in the off-season. He literally flew to England to sign with the club, only to have Rovers mess up the paperwork.

Orlando City welcomed him back with open arms, and McGuire dedicated himself to doing his best for the Lions, earning a new contract through 2027. He was the starter for most of the season until he left for the Olympics with the USMNT. When he returned, Ramiro Enrique had taken over the starting spot. Oscar Pareja sticks with a lineup if it’s working, and McGuire was moved to the bench.

McGuire never let it get to him, as he accepted his role in the second half of the season. He never gave less than 100% effort, including in the playoffs when he earned a penalty in the 97th minute against Charlotte that helped extend Orlando City’s playoff run.

Let’s take a look at how McGuire performed during the 2024 MLS season.

Statistical Breakdown

McGuire made 27 appearances in regular-season matches, starting 18 times and recording 1,599 minutes played. He finished second on the team with 10 goals, adding three assists. McGuire put 20 of his 42 shots on target and completed 239 of his 314 passes (76.1%), including 14 key passes and three successful long balls but no completed crosses. Defensively, McGuire won 30.3% of his 99 aerial duels, and tallied eight tackles, four interceptions, one block, and five clearances. He committed 15 fouls, suffered 18, and was booked seven times in his 27 games (all yellow cards).

The striker also appeared in all five MLS playoff games with all of his appearances off the bench, recording 138 minutes. He did not record a goal contribution, attempting three shots with none on target. The Creighton product completed 31 of his 36 passes (86.1%), including two key passes and one successful cross. Defensively, McGuire contributed an interception, a clearance, and a block. He did not commit a foul, but he suffered two fouls, including the one shown above that led to a late penalty in Game 3 of the Charlotte series, and he was not booked in the postseason. 

McGuire appeared in three of the Lions’ four Concacaf Champions Cup games, starting the first one, and playing 112 minutes. He scored one goal on four shots, with one on target, but did not record an assist. He completed an impressive 91% of his passes, including four key passes, but he did not complete a long ball or a cross. He did not commit a foul, suffered one, and was not booked.

McGuire played in two of the three Leagues Cup games — both as a substitute — and recorded 26 minutes without a goal contribution. He put his lone shot attempt on target and completed seven of his nine passes (77.8%), including one long ball, but he did not log a key pass or a successful cross. Defensively, he chipped in nine tackles and two clearances in the competition. He committed one foul, did not draw one on the competition, and was not booked.

Best Game

McGuire’s best game came early in the season in the Lions’ 3-2 loss to Minnesota United. Big Dunc provided both of Orlando City’s goals, including the fastest goal in Orlando City history, finding the net just seconds after kickoff.

After Orlando City conceded two goals to the Loons, McGuire equalized for the Lions late in the second half. He took an excellent pass from Martin Ojeda and sliced his shot past a defender and the keeper inside the left post.

McGuire stated the match, played 87 minutes, took four shots with three on target, and scored the aforementioned brace. He completed 21 of his 27 passes (77.8%), including one key pass, committed one foul, suffered two fouls, and was not booked. 

2024 Final Grade

The Mane Land staff gave McGuire a composite grade of 7 out of 10 for the 2024 MLS season. It’s a notch below the grade of 7.5 the staff gave him for his 2023 campaign. While it was hardly his fault Enrique seized the starting spot in his absence, McGuire played about 200 more minutes in 2024 and scored fewer goals. It’s fair to say coming off the bench down the stretch may have prevented some opportunities, as he was often part of protecting a late lead or simply wasn’t able to get into the rhythm of the match, and it’s impossible to say how starting may have changed his numbers or the fortunes of the team, but it’s hard to argue with Pareja’s decision, considering the team climbed to fourth place down the stretch with a strong run.

2025 Outlook

We know exactly how McGuire will start the 2025 season — on the injured list. McGuire is out four to five months recovering the shoulder surgery he underwent following his playoff injury. We’re unlikely to see him on the field before the end of April at the earliest, as a four-month timeline would only put him back on the training pitch by mid-April, and he’d have to still get into match shape. His return will most likely be delayed until May or possibly even the beginning of June, depending on his recovery speed. There is plenty of uncertainty with the Orlando City attack as of this writing due to the club’s sale of Facundo Torres to Palmeiras. There are, after all, several options for the club to replace Torres’ attacking numbers, and that could impact things at the top of the formation. Regardless of who the Lions sign, McGuire won’t be guaranteed a starting spot once he’s fit. He has shown he has the tools and the desire to play and to contribute at a high level as a starter, but he’ll have to beat out Enrique and potentially a new striker addition once he returns from injury.

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Lion Links: 10/14/26

Orlando City plays Toronto FC, Orlando Pride prepare for Houston, the USWNT draws Spain, and more.

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23 hours ago

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October 14, 2026

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Image of Iago passing the ball against Toronto FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It’s also match day for Orlando City. As the regular season winds down, the tension ramps up. The Lions are currently above the playoff line, but it’s a precarious perch. With two matches this week, earning crucial points will be even more difficult. We will have more match prep later today, but for now, let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Visits Toronto FC Tonight

Orlando City travels to the Great White North tonight for a match against Eastern Conference opponent Toronto FC. Points are at a premium as both teams chase a playoff appearance. Rest assured that Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman is making sure the team is prepared and taking it one match at a time. It is a double match week so we’ll see how Perelman rotates the starting lineup.

Orlando Pride News and Notes

Yolanda Thomas is getting the Orlando Pride ready for Sunday’s road match against the Houston Dash. Of course, there are several players on international duty before then. Oihane got the start for Spain against the USWNT (see below) on Tuesday night. Barbra Banda scored a brace for Zambia in a 4-1 win over Uganda in an Olympic qualifier. Ally Lemos contributed two assists in the U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team’s 5-0 dismantling of the Dominican Republic.

USWNT Comes from Behind to Draw Spain

The USWNT played its second friendly against top-ranked Spain Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Philadelphia. Much like the previous match, Spain was able to build a 2-0 lead before the end of the first half. Unlike last time, the U.S. was able to score two goals to draw Spain. Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute in her first USWNT start in nearly two years, and Mallory Swanson added the second goal in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, the USWNT wasn’t able to get a third, but a 2-2 draw is still a better result than last time and coming back from two goals down made it feel more like a win in the end.

USMNT Players in Club Action

Former Orlando City defender Alex Freeman came on in the 63rd minute of Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. Johnny Cardoso played all 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in his club’s 2-0 win over Manchester United. He almost scored a goal, but it was disallowed after video review. Sergino Dest’s PSV lost 1-0 to RB Leipzig. Dest is Top 10 when it comes to Champions League appearances by U.S. players. There are a few more USMNT players making appearances in the matches today.

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That will do it for today. You can follow The Mane Land on Bluesky for live match updates and we will also have a recap of the match tonight and more coverage tomorrow. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 10/13/26

Orlando City players named to MLS Team of the Matchday, USWNT takes on Spain tonight, Americans in action this week, and more.

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2 days ago

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October 13, 2026

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Image of Ivan Angulo playing against D.C. United.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a bit of a pep in my step so far this week after Orlando City’s win this weekend. Hopefully, the soccer we have ahead of us tonight and Wednesday night doesn’t end up dimming that enthusiasm. Let’s go ahead and dive right into today’s links from around the soccer world!

Lions Make MLS Team of the Matchday

Orlando City players Maxime Crepeau and Ivan Angulo were both named to the MLS Team of the Matchday, with Antoine Griezmann landing on the bench. Crepeau was immense in Orlando’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Crew, recording a club-record 12 saves. Angulo also excelled with a goal and an assist, with his late winner landing a spot on Sports Illustrated‘s top five goals of the week as well. Griezmann also chipped in a goal and an assist. There are a couple of familiar faces on the bench with Griezmann, with former Orlando goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. earning the honor after making nine saves for the San Jose Earthquakes and former Lion Shak Mohammed recording a goal and an assist in Nashville’s win.

USWNT Aims to Bounce Back Against Spain Tonight

After a 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday, the United States Women’s National Team will play the top team in the world again tonight. It will be interesting to see what lineup changes Head Coach Emma Hayes makes following the loss, particularly with regard to the defense to help stop Spain’s potent attack. Spain got off to a hot start in Saturday’s match, but the team’s physicality likely won’t catch the U.S. by surprise this time around. Orlando Pride defender Oihane, who is with Spain for these friendlies, said she expects the U.S. to be more aggressive in this rematch.

Spain's Oihane Hernández on what she expects from the #USWNT in Tuesday's rematch:"I honestly expect like a really more physical game. I think they're gonna be more aggressive."(I would expect the same.)

— Jeff Kassouf (@jeffkassouf.bsky.social) 2026-10-12T15:37:35.556Z

Americans in Action Abroad This Week

The UEFA Champions League and Europa League return this week and there are many Americans to keep an eye out for across Europe. Former Lion Alex Freeman, who earned plenty of praise for his performance against Real Madrid on Saturday, could start in his first UEFA Champions League game today when Villarreal hosts Napoli. We may also see more of 17-year-old winger Mathis Albert when Borussia Dortmund plays Bodo/Glimt as he continues to impress at such a young age. Sergino Dest and Johnny Cardoso are other Americans who could play in the Champions League, while Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Weah may suit up for Europa League play.

U.S. Soccer Announces Referee Development Program

U.S. Soccer unveiled a new program aimed at improving referee development and making the pathway for aspiring officials more consistent. Named R90+, the program will give referees access to mentors and coaches for them to improve across multiple aspects of officiating, such as game management, physical preparation, and tactical awareness. The first edition of this program will take place in the South, with 10 of the 60 officials coming from Florida. Hopefully this investment in officiating improves things for everyone involved.

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That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

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Lion Links: 10/12/26

Lions beat Columbus Crew, USWNT falls to Spain, Pride players on international duty, and more.

Published

3 days ago

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October 12, 2026

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Image of Antoine Griezmann playing against San Diego FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you all had a great holiday weekend down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work covering high school volleyball and soccer while catching up on season 4 of Ted Lasso. Our beloved Lions were in action over the weekend, and we’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Beat Columbus Crew

Orlando City defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 on Saturday at Inter.co Stadium, snapping a 2-2 stalemate just before stoppage time. Harvey Sarajian scored the opener for the Lions early in the first half before Columbus equalized minutes later. Antoine Griezmann’s goal put Orlando back in front before the break. In the second half, Braias Mendez tied the match for Columbus. But Ivan Angulo scored the late winner for Orlando to seal a crucial three points at home. The win snapped the Lions’ three-match losing streak across all competitions. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made 12 saves, setting a new club single-match record. Griezmann has scored 10 goals this season across all competitions and has played a key role in Orlando’s turnaround, making a strong case for the 2026 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award. Orlando City will have a quick turnaround, with its next match on the road on Wednesday against Toronto FC.

USWNT Falls to Spain in Friendly

The U.S. Women’s National Team fell 2-0 to Spain at Audi Field on Saturday in Washington, D.C. Orlando Pride defender Oihane was on the bench for Spain but did not play in the match. Pati Guijarro and Eva Navarro scored for Spain early in the first half to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. In the second half, the USWNT had a chance to get back into the match, and Sophia Wilson thought she’d scored to pull one back, but the goal was disallowed for offside following video review. Later in the match, Lily Yohannes missed a penalty kick, leaving it at the perfect height for Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares to make a diving save. Spain held on for a clean sheet and the win. The USWNT will face Spain again on Tuesday at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.

Pride Players on International Duty

Multiple Orlando Pride players represented their national teams during the international break. Two Pride players faced off in a friendly between Jamaica forward Solai Washington and Mexico forward Jacquie Ovalle on Friday. Ovalle scored for Mexico, and Washington scored her first international goal for Jamaica in a 4-3 win against Mexico. The two teams will battle again on Tuesday in a friendly.

On Saturday, midfielder Angelina scored for Brazil in a 3-1 friendly win against Argentina. Brazil will face Argentina again on Tuesday. Midfielder Ally Lemos started for the U.S. Women’s U-23 squad in a 5-0 win against the Dominican Republic in a friendly.

Forward Sanne Lekven, who is playing for the Norway Women’s U-23 Team, will face England later today. Forward Barbra Banda and Zambia will take on Uganda on Tuesday in Africa’s second round of the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Americans Abroad

Let’s catch up on Americans in action abroad in Europe. Former Lion Alex Freeman started and played a full 90 minutes for Villarreal in a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid on Saturday. Brenden Aaronson came off the bench and played 19 minutes for Leeds United in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris both played for Middlesbrough in a 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Championship. Johnny Cardoso played a full 90 minutes for Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 win against Deportivo Alaves. On Sunday, Christian Pulisic started and played 78 minutes for AC Milan in a 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in Serie A. Bryan Reynolds had two assists for Stade Rennes in a 4-1 win against Auxerre in Ligue 1.

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  • Orlando Pride forward Seven Castain, who is on loan at Dallas Trinity, scored a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League.
  • FC Cincinnati has reportedly signed former Philadelphia Union midfielder Jose Martinez, who previously played for Brazilian club Corinthians.

🇻🇪 Sources: FC Cincinnati has signed Venezuelan int'l midfielder Jose Martinez after a successful training stint.Martinez, 32, joins after leaving Corinthians. He is finishing recovering from torn ACL.Deal thru end of season + option thru sprint season. Done ahead of today's roster freeze

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2026-10-09T15:31:32.979Z
  • Racing Louisville forward Emma Sears has reportedly been traded to the Denver Summit in exchange for $1.2 million in intra-league funds.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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