What Duncan McGuire's latest brutal injury news means for him and Orlando | OneFootball

The last 18 months haven't been kind to Orlando City's Duncan McGuire, and his latest injury setback marks yet another bout of misfortune.

After bursting onto the scene with 13 goals in his 2023 rookie season, the striker saw a dream move to the EFL Championship collapse the following off-season.

Fully expecting McGuire to depart, Orlando acquired Colombian veteran Luis Muriel on a Designated Player deal to take his spot in attack. By the time McGuire's transfer to Blackburn Rovers fell through, he suddenly found himself as Orlando's third-choice striker.

Owing to his professionalism and clinical nature in front of goal, McGuire warded off competition from Muriel and Ramiro Enrique to net another 10 MLS goals in 2024. However, lady luck ensured his campaign was to end in the same unlucky fashion it began.

In Game 3 of Orlando's first-round playoff matchup with Charlotte FC, McGuire wrestled with Crown midfielder Djibril Diani to win the penalty that kept his team's season alive.

Such gallantry, though, came at a cost. Dislocating his right shoulder in the process, the resultant surgery ruled McGuire out for five months.

Recently netting against I-4 Derby rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies and Portland Timbers, it seemed he was finally getting back up to speed. That was only until later in the Timbers game, when McGuire was withdrawn with an injury his opposite left shoulder.

Having gone under the knife for the second time in seven months, GiveMeSport's Tom Bogert revealed today that McGuire's recovery is expected to take three to four months. This means he will likely miss the rest of the 2025 regular season.

It seems everything possible has gone against the young forward of late. This latest setback certainly throws doubt on both Orlando's season and McGuire's career.

What it means for Orlando?

No change to Pareja's XI ...?

Orlando's coach Óscar Pareja had been experimenting with a 4-4-2 system of late, with McGuire and Muriel partnering in attack.

However, not only has this change in system seen the productivity of influential playmaker Martín Ojeda dissipate, but it has also coincided with Orlando's record unbeaten streak being broken.

With Muriel and Enrique fit, Pareja still has two proven MLS strikers at his disposal. In reality, the Colombian coach has struggled to give all three of them the minutes they deserve when McGuire initially returned from injury in March.

McGuire's latest setback should see Pareja revert to his favored 4-2-3-1, allowing Ojeda to once again roam freely behind the striker.

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... But lack of Plan B

However, no McGuire certainly does mean a lack of attacking options from the bench for Pareja.

McGuire's strength and physicality offer something unique to Pareja's arsenal, especially when Orlando is chasing a game from behind. The young American is particularly effective in the air, especially when he has Rafael Santos' inviting crosses to attack.

This lack of attacking versatility may see Orlando's front office approach the coming MLS Secondary Transfer Window differently. Orlando now needs to devise a Plan B.

But what would this mean if McGuire returns in time for the playoffs? Orlando doesn't have much space for yet another striker on the roster.

What does this mean for McGuire?

Orlando City v Portland Timbers | Dustin Markland/GettyImages

Another injury, another recovery period

The timing of this second shoulder injury couldn't have been any worse for McGuire. Just as he was coming back to form, he now likely finds himself out for the remainder of this campaign.

Especially with the Leagues Cup just around the corner, Pareja needs the roster depth in attack if he has hopes of Orlando finally making a deep run. McGuire would've been guaranteed good minutes on the field and would've been sure to add to his goal tally this season.

Instead, he now faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines. If he's lucky, he will return in time for the MLS Cup Playoffs. But whether he is match-fit to make an immediate impact is another question.

Realistically, McGuire won't be back to his very best until the beginning of the 2026 campaign, at which point he wouldn't have played consistent soccer for over a year.

European hopes quashed?

Following the collapse of his Championship move last year, McGuire buckled down to prove he still has the talent (and attitude) to forge a career in Europe.

Renewing his Orlando contract that summer, he committed his immediate future to the Central Florida club at the very least. However, McGuire would've remained keen to make Blackburn regret its paperwork gaffe.

That dream move to Europe is not yet out of the question. However, to secure it, McGuire needs to convince potential suitors that he can stay fit. Not only that, he will need to prove yet again that he can still bag goals consistently at the MLS level.

It's a tough ask for any athlete to fully recover from two consecutive long-term injuries, but the results after his first rehab suggest McGuire may have the mentality required.