Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese Leaves Orlando City after Six Seasons

The Octopus is leaving Orlando. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, the most accomplished netminder in Orlando City’s MLS era, is departing the club with the expiration of his contract. The club made the announcement today on its website and social media.

The 35-year-old Peruvian international has been the club’s primary goalkeeper for the last six seasons, all of which have finished with a playoff appearance. He is a good bet to join Kaká in Orlando City’s Legends Terrace.

“Pedro has been an incredible ambassador for our club both on and off the field. His professionalism, leadership, and unwavering commitment helped shape the culture that we have today,” Orlando City SC General Manager & Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “As a player, he delivered countless unforgettable moments, setting club records for appearances, minutes played, saves, wins, and clean sheets. He played a vital role in our first MLS-era trophy win, six straight playoff appearances, and historic runs in international competition. Pedro leaves a legacy that will be felt for years to come, and we thank him for everything he’s given to Orlando City.”

Gallese signed with Orlando City using Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) on Jan. 17, 2020, joining the Lions on a free transfer after his Liga MX side Veracruz was disaffiliated. That contract ran through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025. The 2025 option was automatically triggered by agreed-upon performance metrics.

The Lima, Peru native finishes his Orlando City career having made 201 appearances (all starts) across all competitions. His 201 appearances are the most by an OCSC goalkeeper, and he holds club career records for minutes played (18,188), saves (568), wins (89), and clean sheets (57). Gallese also won the 2022 MLS Save of the Year Award for denying former Orlando forward Dom Dwyer at Atlanta Unied on July 17 of that year. He represented Orlando City at the 2021 MLS All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

The man they call El Pulpo made 40 appearances across all competitions with Orlando City in his final season as a Lion, starting all 40. He logged 3,600 minutes and made 124 total saves. He was instrumental in lifting Orlando City to the Leagues Cup semifinals by stopping two penalties against Toluca before scoring the decisive spot kick to end the match. He was also integral in Orlando City setting a new club record shutout streak this season going 563 minutes without allowing a goal in MLS play. That included five consecutive league shutouts from April 5 to May 3. However, the Lions did not record a clean sheet in the regular season or playoffs after June 14.

Gallese was part of the club’s 2022 U.S. Open Cup-winning team and has started for the Lions in the MLS playoffs, the MLS is Back Tournament, Leagues Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup.

Prior to joining Orlando City, Gallese appeared in 37 matches with Alianza Lima and 51 games with Veracruz. He previously played with Peruvian side Juan Aurich from 2014-2016, making 45 appearances. Prior to that, he played with Peruvian sides Atletico Minero and Universidad San Martin.

On the international stage, Gallese has been the longtime starting goalkeeper for Peru.

What It means for Orlando City

With Gallese’s contract expiring without a new deal, this news isn’t shocking. Gallese’s form, while not as dire as some announcers would have you believe, had dipped in 2025. There were a couple of howlers, and a few goals conceded that Gallese would have stopped in previous seasons, but he was still a class goalkeeper in the league. At 35, Gallese has a few more years in him, but it’s unlikely the club wanted to increase (or possibly even maintain the current level of) his salary heading into 2026.

The Lions are in the market for a new starting goalkeeper. Homegrown Javier Otero has an option year for 2026 remaining on his contract and Carlos Mercado has two option years remaining on his deal. However, it seems unlikely that the club will turn over the reins to either of the 2025 backup keepers.

Otero has made just three MLS appearances over the past two seasons, starting two, and has given up five goals in 241 minutes, although three of those came in a surprise debut at New York City FC on a baseball field — a situation that would give any young goalkeeper problems. Mercado has not played for the first team in a competitive match.

It is likely that Moreira and his technical staff view both as backups at this stage. That means the club will be seeking a new No. 1 goalkeeper this off-season. There will be plenty of money to spend on one, as Gallese made a base salary of $960,000 in 2025 and total guaranteed compensation of more than $1.24 million. Of all the goalkeepers in MLS, only Matt Turner, Roman Burki, Andre Blake, and Zack Steffen had a higher base salary than Gallese in 2025, and only Turner (> $1.94 million) and Burki (> $1.7 million) were guaranteed more total compensation.

It will seem odd for Orlando City to have a new starting goalkeeper in 2026. Gallese has been the man between the sticks for each of Oscar Pareja’s seasons at the helm and all of Orlando’s playoff appearances. He missed very few games over the years and was one of the club’s most recognizable players. His shootout heroics will long be remembered, both for his stops and his glorious match-winning goal in knockout competition.

But all good things come to an end.