Twitter reacts to… Cristian Higuita’s Orlando City SC exit

/ Taylor Williams

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The last remaining survivor from Orlando City SC‘s inaugural 2015 MLS roster was cut yesterday as news broke that Cristian Higuita is departing Central Florida this winter.

Still pending official confirmation from Orlando City SC, the popular Colombian visited Broken Strings Brewery to say his farewells to the Lions’ supporter groups in a sad ending for the 25-year-old.

Battle-ready

Granted, a yellow card was something of a gimme every time Cristian Higuita took the field but few wore the Lions’ crest with such passion, fight and dedication as the battle-ready defensive midfielder.

The only Orlando City SC player to play under each of Adrian Heath, Jason Kreis and James O’Connor, Cristian Higuita departs Exploria Stadium as City’s all-time record appearance holder in MLS.

Tallying 103 Major League Soccer appearances for Orlando City SC plus five outings in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Cristian Higuita scored six goals in purple.

Not known for his goalscoring, Cristian Higuita won the hearts of The Wall for his tireless, committed and battling displays in central midfield.

He was a player unfazed no matter the opposition and was always there to defend his team-mates.

Yellow cards

Not consistently a first choice starter over the years in part due to his susceptibility to red mist and yellow cards, Orlando City SC always looked far more competitive with Cristian Higuita on the field.

Receiving 38 yellow cards over the course of his Orlando City SC career, Higuita was also sent off three times.

We actually hosted an Orlando City UK Watch Party in London on one of the six occasions that Cristian Higuita found the back of the net.

With the Lions travelling away to face Colorado Rapids in April 2018, Orlando City SC supporters groups also travelled on mass to The Centennial State to see Higuita kickstart a 1-2 comeback win under Jason Kreis.

An undignified ending

Despite Cristian Higuita representing Orlando City SC during an era of failure, the way in which he’s departing Central Florida seems sore.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with ProSoccerUSA.com yesterday, an emotional Cristian Higuita opened up about his Orlando City SC departure.

Higuita said: “I didn’t expect this moment to come too soon. I was looking forward to being at that club another three or four years – even if they offered me long-term contract, I’ll sign and stay here.

“Honestly, I’m left sad with the way everything unfolded… Makes you feel like there isn’t much importance in regards towards a player who spent five years with the team, giving his all.”

While Cristian Higuita isn’t in the current Front Office’s plans, the Colombian didn’t rule out returning to Orlando City SC at some point in the future.

Higuita continued: “I want to return one day. My dream, as I’ve told my wife, is in a couple of years once I know that time has come, I’d like to retire here with this team and hopefully that opportunity will come.”

Say what you will about Cristian Higuita but it’s rare you hear a Major League Soccer professional speak about a young franchise with such passion, loyalty, and fondness.

All the best

On behalf of Orlando City UK, we’d like to thank Cristian Higuita for all his contributions in Orlando City SC purple over the years.

We wish him the very best of luck in whatever direction his career takes him next.

Orlando City SC supporters’ view

With #OCTwitter still currently reacting to news of Cristian Higuita‘s departure, we gathered some of the best tweets.

Was it the right of wrong decision for Orlando City SC to let Cristian Higuita go?

Comment below or tweet us at @Orlando_CityUK to let us know!

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