Orlando City
Orlando City Trades Tahir Reid-Brown to St. Louis City for GAM
Homegrown defender Tahir Reid-Brown has been traded to St. Louis City. Here’s what it means for Orlando City.
Orlando City has acquired $150,000 in guaranteed 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM) from St. Louis City in exchange for Homegrown defender Tahir Reid-Brown. The club made the announcement today, sending the club’s 15th Homegrown Player to the Western Conference in a deal that could net Orlando City up to $300,000 in additional GAM if certain performance metrics are met. The club will also retain a percentage of a fee if St. Louis City sells Reid-Brown in the future.
“Tahir has been a valued part of our club for many years, progressing through our academy, Orlando City B and into the first team,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “We’re proud of the work he’s put in throughout his development and grateful for the commitment he’s shown while representing Orlando City. Our goal in developing young players is to prepare them for the next level, whether that opportunity is with our club or elsewhere, while also positioning Orlando City for long-term success. We believe this move accomplishes both, and we wish Tahir all the best in this next chapter of his career.”
Reid-Brown, 20, made his first start with the senior team earlier this year on Sunday, March 1, in the Lions’ 4-2 home loss to Inter Miami. He seemed poised for a bigger role with Adrian Marin struggling with consistency and the team looking to get younger and faster, but he wasn’t able to lay claim to a starting spot.
The defender joined the Orlando City Development Academy at age 14 in 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks, signing an academy contract with OCB for the 2022 season at age 17. After two seasons with OCB, Orlando City signed Reid-Brown to a Homegrown Player contract on Jan. 23, 2024, through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028. While still on his MLS NEXT Pro contract, Reid-Brown also made 13 appearances for the OCSC Academy U-17 team during 2023, helping that squad reach the MLS NEXT Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. His time with the academy team saw him named to the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game, the third Orlando City player to receive the honor.
Reid-Brown leaves after appearing nine times with Orlando City’s first team across all competitions. With OCB, he made 65 appearances, scoring two goals.
Internationally, Reid-Brown has been a part of the United States Men’s National Team youth setup. He made his debut for the U.S. in November 2022 and was named to the 2023 FIFA Under-17 World Cup squad, making three appearances in the competition. He has also represented his country at the U-19 and U-20 levels.
What It Means for Orlando City
This move is not surprising, given the quick ascendance of Bernardo Rhein, who has obviously passed Reid-Brown on the depth chart this season. Rhein not only passed Reid-Brown, but he has presented a challenge to veteran Marin with his defensive play, ball-winning skills, and ability to jump up into the play with pace that the Spaniard lacks. Reid-Brown has gotten some play at center back with OCB, but he’s a bit of a “tweener,” with the height of a center back but a slender build better suited for a wide player on the back line. With his playing time dwindling, it made sense to move the young fullback so that he can get developmental minutes elsewhere.
Reid-Brown has sometimes struggled with consistency in his perimeter defending, and although his pace has gotten him into good positions up the left flank, he has struggled with his service at times both with OCB and the senior team. If he can develop that further, or if he fills out and can learn the center back position, he may find his future with St. Louis City.