Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Nicolás Rodríguez

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28 days after the club record $14 million sale of Facundo Torres to Palmeiras, Orlando City SC have today announced the signing of 20-year-old Colombian forward Nicolás Rodríguez, adding some crucial depth to our right wing position.

Joining the Lions as an U22 Initiative player, Rodríguez arrives from Fortaleza CEIF for a fee reportedly worth $1 million. Having signed a contract through 2027, with a club option in 2028, the young Colombian becomes our second 2024/25 off-season arrival after Colin Guske. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Real Salt Lake acquiring Mason Stajduhar from Orlando City SC

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Out of the blue, Orlando City SC traded longtime Lion Mason Stajduhar to Real Salt Lake yesterday in exchange for $50,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM), a second round draft pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, and up to $150,000 in GAM based on performance metrics. With Carlos Mercado and now Mason Stajduhar having departed, only Pedro Gallese and the inexperienced Javier Otero remain, with the club likely to add another backup goalkeeper behind Gallese.

The longest-tenured player in club history, Stajduhar overcame a battle with Ewing sarcoma – inspiring us all when returning to the field in 2018. A bone cancer survivor and 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion, Stajduhar set an Orlando City SC single-match club record with 11 saves against Chicago Fire in June 2024. He also made history as the first goalkeeper to record an assist for the Lions at Toronto FC on 2023 MLS Decision Day. Continue reading →

Who is Orlando City SC’s incoming signing Nicolás Rodríguez?

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After a very slow start, the Lions’ winter recruitment drive is finally gathering momentum. Thank heavens! In the early hours of this morning, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano tweeted that Orlando City SC are “closing in on deal for Colombian 20-year-old talent Nicolás Rodríguez from Fortaleza”.

Shortly after Romano’s tweet, Tom Bogert corroborated the news, tweeting “Orlando City finalizing deal to sign Colombia winger Nico Rodríguez from Fortaleza” while confirming that Rodríguez will join via Major League Soccer’s U22 Initiative.

Bogert also mentioned that Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) was the first to break the news. Sierra cited himself that Orlando City SC had beat off competition from Colombian side Millonarios to sign Nicolás Rodríguez. Not only them but also New York Red Bulls with Tiago Brandão (@Tiagobrandao_8) confirming that our 2024 Eastern Conference Final conquerers tried to sign Rodríguez too. Continue reading →

Club América reject Orlando City SC bid for Alejandro Zendejas

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In a disappointing setback for Orlando City SC, Tom Bogert reported last night that Club América have rejected a bid from the Lions for USMNT winger Alejandro Zendejas.

According to sources speaking to GiveMeSport, this stalled negotiation comes as Club América face uncertainty over the future of their head coach André Jardine. With Jardine heavily linked to Brazilian club Botafogo, the Mexican champions are prioritising their own stability before entertaining transfer moves. Continue reading →

Who are Orlando City SC’s four 2025 MLS SuperDraft picks?

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Whetting the appetite for a brand new Major League Soccer season, the 2025 MLS SuperDraft took place earlier tonight with Orlando City SC making four picks overall.

After Oscar Pareja’s Lions selected Joran Gerbet (pictured), Titus Sandy Jr., Collins Oduro, and Takahiro Fujita, Orlando City UK found out a little more about each individual college talent acquired in the draft. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Palmeiras signing Facundo Torres from Orlando City SC

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After the heartbreak of our 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs exit on November 30, Orlando City SC fans face more sadness today, with Facundo Torres completing his $12 million + $2 million transfer to Brazilian giants Palmeiras.

In truth, City supporters have had nearly two whole weeks to digest Facu’s departure, especially after Palmeiras agreed terms with Facundo Torres on December 9 before Cruz Azul appeared set to hijack the move. But in the end, Verdão have got their man.

This transfer not only sets a new club record outbound fee for Orlando City SC, surpassing the $9.5 million West Bromwich Albion paid for Daryl Dike. It also sees City bid farewell to probably the greatest Lion of all-time! Continue reading →

Orlando City SC’s complete 2025 MLS schedule revealed

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Orlando City SC supporters have today learned when each of their thirty-four 2025 Major League Soccer regular season fixtures will be played.

With all MLS franchises’ complete regular season schedules released today, away days can be planned, rivalry games can be circled, and Lions supporters can now start mapping out Orlando City SC’s quest to reach the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

2025 MLS SuperDraft preview: Reviewing Orlando City SC’s 35 draft picks since 2015

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The MLS SuperDraft is the most exciting event in the lives of every young North American college soccer player.

With Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft getting underway this Friday (December 20), Orlando City UK took this moment to reflect on how Orlando City SC’s annual picks have fared since our inaugural 2015 season. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC off-season roundup: Bruseth out, new home kit leaked, and Torres to Cruz Azul?

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Orlando City SC are in the midst of significant transformations as Major League Soccer’s 2024 off-season continues to unfold. With roster changes and strategic decisions shaping the future of the club, it’s an exciting and pivotal time for Lions fans.

This past week has been nothing short of eventful, with a flurry of news that has kept supporters eagerly anticipating what’s next. In this weekly roundup, we’re recapping the key headlines and stories that defined the week of December 9-13. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC announce 19 players on 2024 MLS Expansion Draft protected list

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When new clubs join Major League Soccer, the league requests that existing clubs release protected player lists at the end of each campaign, and Orlando City SC did just that today.

With the 2024 MLS Expansion Draft taking place tomorrow (December 11), new boys San Diego FC start construction of their inaugural 2025 roster, but the Southern California franchise will not be able to sign these 19 Lions. Continue reading →