There are scouts behind the Orlando City SC curtain all the time | OneFootball

Orlando City SC normally is quiet while negotiating transfers. Their scouts are quieter still as they evaluate transfer targets and negotiate to sign them.

Whenever Orlando City SC announces a signing, they always leave something out. Before that signing, there was at least one scout hard at work.

The scout recorded all the players had achieved. The person also recorded what that player could do after more development or under different conditions. Lastly, that scout reported how this player would fit Orlando City’s goals.

There’s one more thing hidden behind every signing. If the Lions wanted to sign a player, so did another organization. They have scouts, as well.

Ultimately responsible for staying ahead of those talent- and advance-scouts are Lions Chief Scout Felipe Lima and Scouting Coordinator Oliver Thoma Minatel.

From there a team of scouts spreads out to cover every area that could produce the talent the Lions need to win it all. That team was originally assembled by Ricardo Moreira, Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director.

Their most involved work is evaluating developing talent. They have plenty of subjects at their fingertips with Orlando City B and the Academy. With detailed studies of players in hand, the clubs were able to place players at the end of the 2024 season.

For the 2025 roster, they moved midfielder Colin Guske and striker Yutaro Tsukada to the first team. Then they picked players for the 2025 roster of Orlando City B. These included midfielders Gustavo Carabello (first signed in 2023, now with options through 2028) and Jhon Solis, plus defender Zakaria Taifi.

The first team has brought in new winger Nicolas Rodriguez after through scouting studies and intense negotiations.

During the season scouts also turn to advance duties.  Scouts for opponents study the Lions to see how they’ll match up. That’s how Atlanta United scouts thought they’d give their team an edge in a late 2024 match.

They charted Orlando City lineups in recent matches. That intelligence identified the Lions' scheme as the South American Attack.

But Orlando City SC scouts had studied Atlanta as well. They knew how to make their attack work despite what Atlanta learned. They won that match and nearly made their way to the MLS championship.

Because of scouting, management, coaching, and strong, skilled players – this season they’ll take the MLS Championship.