MLS Preview: Orlando City SC

In partnership with

Hooligan Soccer

·20 February 2025

MLS Preview: Orlando City SC

Club History

Orlando City was founded back in 2010 as a USL Pro franchise (second tier of U.S. soccer). From the start, the owners made it clear that they sought to earn a MLS expansion franchise within five years. The club was incredibly successful, playing in four straight Championship playoffs, winning two (2011, 2013) and building up their local support.

Their expansion bid was confirmed in late 2013, with the crest and colors revealed in May 2014. The purple and lion is a nod to their USL Pro color and mascot; the 21 flares in the mane represents their position as the MLS’s 21st franchise. The revamped squad was scheduled to start in the 2015 season.

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It did not go well. Despite signing Brazilian star Kaká, and hitting the jackpot with SuperDraft grab Cyle Larin, they did not make the playoffs. This disappointing trend would continue for the next four years, and was finally broken in the 2020 COVID-shortened season. In 2022 they won the first U.S. Open Cup held since the pandemic, beating USL Championship side Sacramento Republic 3-0. All the goals coming in the final 15 minutes, saving the team the embarrassment of falling to an non-MLS side. In 2023 they had their best regular season (18W – 9D – 7L) and made it all the way to the quarterfinals. where they fell to eventual winners Columbus Crew 2 – 0 after extra time.

Ownership

The USL Pro team was owned by a group of investors with Phil Rawlins and Flavio Augusto da Silva (a Brazilian entrepreneur who created the English school WiseUp) as the principals. In 2021 they announced plans to sell the franchise to the Wilf family (Zygi, Leonard and Mark) – owners of the NFL Minnesota Vikings – for around $450M.

Significant Players

Kaká (Brazil) – Midfielder The club’s first signing, marquee player and team captain. Notched 43 contributions (25 goals; 19 assists) in three seasons (2015-2017). Was the club’s first inductee to their Legends’ Terrace hall of fame.
Cyle Larin (Canada) – Forward First drafted player, who went on to earn Rookie of the Year in 2015. Scored 44 goals in his three seasons (2015-2017)
Nani (Portugal) – Winger Pacey, dynamic player known for his somersault goal celebrations. Had 49 contributions (31 goals; 18 assists) in his three seasons (2019-2021).
Facundo Torres (Uruguay) – Winger Club leader with 67 contributions (47 goals; 20 assists). Was traded to Palmeiras in Dec. 2024 for a reported $12M+
Pedro Gallese (Peru) – Goalkeeper Has 48 clean sheets in 161 games, and is still the #1.

Other Facts

Set the record for a number of attendees at a debut expansion team match (62,510) on Mar. 8, 2015.
They have two official supporters group: The Ruckus and Iron Lion Firm. These two occupy the same seating section, known as “The Wall”.
While they have an in-state rivalry with Inter Miami, they do not compete in any formal trophy derbies.
The club is well-balanced, in a way. After five straight years of not qualifying for the playoffs (2015-2019) they have now qualified five years in a row (2020-2024).
Their NWSL affiliate team, Orlando Pride, won the league championship title in 2024.

2024 Season Recap

15W – 7D – 12L for 52 points. Finished 4th in the Eastern Conference, 10th overall.
Playoffs Advanced out of Round One by defeating Charlotte FC in three games (two went into PKs). Hosted the upstart Atlanta United (9th seed) and won 1-0. Sadly, lost the Eastern Conference final to the New York Red Bulls by the same score.
It was their best postseason run to date.

Who to Watch 2025

Eduard Atuesta (Colombia) – Midfielder A seasoned 27-year old playmaker signed from Palmeiras, he also has five years of MLS experience having played with LAFC twice.
Marco Pašalić (Croatia) – Winger [DP] Filling up the third DP vacated by Torres slot is this relatively unknown 24-year old coming in from HNK Rijeka. He’s got some big boots to fill.
Luis Muriel (Colombia) – Forward [DP] Muriel hasn’t exactly been electric, only managing 5 goals last season. He’ll have to step it up.
Martín Ojeda (Argentina) – Midfielder [DP] Ojeda has decent stats, 13 goals and 17 assists, in his past two seasons.