Homegrown player earns shot next season with Orlando City SC | OneFootball

One of the B team players supporters wondered about now gets a major shot with the Orlando City SC next year.

During this season's League Cup competition, supporters started asking about some players Orlando City SC called up for the matches.

One of them, midfielder Colin Guske, a homegrown player, has gotten even a more solid call early in this off-season. He’s inked a contract with the first team through 2027 with an option for 2028.

Guske started in the Lions system with the Orlando City Academy.

He was one of the starters for Orlando City B when they clinched the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. In that September match, City B defeated Chicago Fire FC II 3-0.

Guske and goalkeeper Juan Rojas were named to the 2024 MLS East All-Star roster.

He and Orlando B striker Yutaro Tsukada were signed to short-term contracts for the Leagues Cup. These MLS contracts last for up to four days. They allow the team to place up to four players per match on their roster.

The coaches and scouts get to evaluate the player in MLS conditions. They not only get to see how the player performs in first-team matches, but they also see how he interacts with teammates and opponents as he continues to develop.

Feb 27, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC Colin Guske poses for a photo during media day. Mandatory Credit: MLS Photos via USA TODAY NETWORK | MLS Photos- USA TODAY NETWORK

Besides his short-term agreements, he was with the team during the weeklong training camp in Mexico.

The organization is convinced that Guske took full advantage of his opportunities in the professional development pathway, said Luiz Muzzi, EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager.

In 2024 he played more minutes – 2,044 minutes and starting 24 of 25 appearances – than any other MLS NEXT Pro player born in 2007.

Because of his trek through the Orlando City SC player development system, Colin Guske, age 17, has shown solid progress even with just one Orlando B season under his belt. He’s getting his shot on the first team because he earned it.