Orlando City

2025 Orlando City Season In Review: Iván Angulo

The left winger contributed defensively but struggled offensively during his fourth season in Orlando.

Published

6 months ago

on

Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City acquired midfielder Ivan Angulo on a 12-month loan from Brazilian Serie A side Palmeiras on July 25, 2022. The Lions accepted the option to extend the loan for six more months on June 22, 2023, before working out a permanent transfer for the winger on Jan. 3, 2024. That contract was through 2025 with a club option for 2026, and as of this writing, the club has yet to announce if it will pick up that club option.

Let’s take a look back at the winger’s fourth season with the Lions.

Statistical Breakdown

After a 2024 season when he was an iron man for Orlando City, starting nearly every game in all competitions and playing more than 3,500 minutes, Angulo found himself on the bench a little more frequently in 2025, though he was still the team’s primary starter out on the left wing.

In MLS regular-season play, Angulo appeared in 33 of Orlando’s 34 matches, starting 30 and playing a total of 2,317 minutes. Unlike in 2024, when he scored five goals, he went goalless, but he contributed seven assists, tied for third most on the team. He attempted 34 shots and put 11 on target. Angulo completed 84% of his passes with 36 key passes and six successful crosses. On the defensive side, he compiled 30 tackles, 18 interceptions, 17 clearances, and four blocks. He committed 20 fouls and suffered 26 and received four yellow cards.

The Colombian started the wild card game in his customary left wing spot but only played 56 minutes before coming off for Tyrese Spicer. He took one shot, putting it on target, and completed 78% of his passes. He added two tackles and two clearances on defense. He neither committed nor drew any fouls and was not booked.

Angulo was not heavily used during the U.S. Open Cup, coming off the bench during both games and playing a total of 35 minutes. He did not take any shots, but he assisted on one goal and completed 84% of his passes. Defensively, he made two tackles but did not have any other contributions.

The winger was at his best during the Leagues Cup, starting all six games and playing 534 of the 540 possible minutes. He scored his one goal of the season and added two assists in the competition. Angulo took seven shots, putting three on frame, and completed 86% of his passes with six key passes. He was an active defender, making 13 tackles, intercepting three passes, and adding two clearances and one block. He committed seven fouls, drew six on the opposition, and received one yellow card.

Best Game

Angulo’s one goal of the season came against Atlas in the Leagues Cup, but his best game of the season was against Columbus during the MLS regular season, when he recorded two assists and was a menace defensively in a 3-1 victory over the Crew. The winger led the team in tackles with five and made great plays to assist on both of Ramiro Enrique’s goals, helping the Lions come from behind to take the lead.

Angulo also was fouled in the box and would have drawn a penalty had the referee called the foul, but even without that possible goal-creating action the Colombian still contributed all over the field against Columbus, earning the Man of the Match in our player grades.

2025 Final Grade

The Mane Land awarded Angulo a composite rating of 6 out of 10 for the 2025 season, which is a slight decrease from the 6.5 out of 10 that we gave him for the 2024 season. He was one of the best defensive wing players in the league but did not offer enough offensively, leading to a reduction in minutes played as compared to 2024 and frequent offense-for-defense substitutions with Angulo coming off for Spicer late in the game.

2026 Outlook

As menioned above, Angulo is waiting on the club’s decision on whether or not to pick up his option for 2026, and with the acquisition of Spicer the Lions have a younger and cheaper player on the roster who plays the same position. Angulo is in the prime of his career at age 26 and is a better defender than Spicer, but his offensive output declined noticeably from 2024 to 2025, and it will be a difficult call for the front office on whether he is worth keeping at an increased salary or to decline the option and renegotiate or say goodbye.

If the club chooses to keep him, he will once again operate out on the left, and his minutes will likely decrease again in 2026 as he platoons with Spicer. The Colombian has one of the best work rates and sprint speeds in the entire league, so it is possible that the coaching staff also would give him a look at left back in the mold of former Lion Ruan. I expect that the club declines his option but negotiates a new deal and he is back again in purple next season.

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

Related Topics:

Trending

Exit mobile version