Earlier today, Orlando City SC traded Michael Halliday to Houston Dynamo and mutually terminated Nicolás Lodeiro’s contract, clearing the way for him to join Dynamo as well. In news first exclusively revealed by Tom Bogert yesterday, the Lions exercised a buyout option to free Lodeiro’s corresponding salary from their budget space. In the end, Dynamo only paid slightly above league minimum salary. As for Halliday, City traded the 22-year-old to Dynamo in exchange for a natural first round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.
Orlando City SC’s eighth all-time Homegrown Player, Michael Halliday, moves on after making 36 MLS appearances for the Lions since signing a first team contract in July 2020. Hailing from Apopka, and successfully graduating through both our academy and Orlando City B, Halliday made his senior debut in a 2-1 defeat at New York Red Bulls back on May 29, 2021. With Alex Freeman having surpassed him in the depth chart and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson being our starting right back, Halliday now embarks on a fresh start in Texas.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Lodeiro departs Orlando City SC after just one season in Central Florida. City signed Lodeiro in January 2024 as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) player, expecting him to play a key role. However, under Oscar Pareja, the two-time MLS Cup champion found himself used more as a depth option rather than a guaranteed starter. Still having made 34 MLS appearances for the Lions last season, Lodeiro won Orlando City UK’s 2024 ‘Newcomer of the Year’ award. Beating out competition from David Brekalo and Luis Muriel, he now moves on to play in the Western Conference again.
🟠🟣 BREAKING: Houston Dynamo are working to finalize the acquisitions of midfielder Nico Lodeiro & right back Michael Halliday from Orlando City, per sources.
A deal for Lodeiro is likely but not complete yet while terms for Halliday are set, sources add https://t.co/AJhYwEKrli
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) February 17, 2025
Thank you, Mikey 🦁
We have acquired a natural first round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft from @HoustonDynamo in exchange for Homegrown defender Mikey Halliday.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 18, 2025
Thank you, Nico 💜
We have mutually agreed with Nico Lodeiro to terminate the midfielder’s contract.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) February 18, 2025
Bringing championship experience to the 713 🏆
Welcome to Houston, Nico!
— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) February 19, 2025
Lodeiro’s departure, along with Halliday’s, opens up valuable roster slots and salary cap flexibility for Orlando City SC.
After all, Lodeiro was on a base salary of $800,000 while Halliday was on $200,000.
Recent reports link the Lions with young Uruguayan midfielder Agustín Soria from Defensor Sporting.
He could be the ideal replacement for both Lodeiro and Halliday, given his ability to play in central midfield or at right back.
Elsewhere, Orlando City SC announced today that Wilder Cartagena is officially on Major League Soccer’s Season-Ending Injury List.
Effectively losing three players in one day, the City Front Office must now re-enter the transfer market to maintain our squad depth.
Here’s how Orlando City SC’s 2025 roster is looking after Nicolás Lodeiro and Michael Halliday’s exits.
But for now, we wish both Nico and Mikey all the very best at Shell Energy Stadium.
The duo will link up with former Lion Júnior Urso at Dynamo this year.
Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets after Nicolás Lodeiro and Michael Halliday both joined Houston Dynamo
Short and sweet for Nico who leaves us after just one season. 🇺🇾
Lodeiro’s departure, along with Halliday’s, opens up valuable roster slots and salary cap flexibility for @OrlandoCitySC.
After all, Lodeiro was on a base salary of $800,000 while Halliday was on $200,000. 💰 https://t.co/rPQPLTgj50 pic.twitter.com/u3MUV6dDG4
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 18, 2025
.@OCSCAcademy ➡️ @OrlandoCityB ➡️ @OrlandoCitySC
Good luck at @HoustonDynamo, Mikey. 👍🏽#ForeverALion 🦁 https://t.co/xnnAV4KYC9 pic.twitter.com/usrUfHPQRt
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) February 18, 2025
As discussed on the last @OrlandoLionsDen podcast
Alex Freeman has climbed up the depth chart past Halliday and is looking at increased minutes this year
He’s had an impressive preseason so far.
He could be in a for a breakout season https://t.co/l30hWEyUy6
— 🏆 Orlando Lions Den Podcast (@OrlandoLionsDen) February 17, 2025
I did really like Nico but I am sure we can do a lot opening up $800k+ in salary. Didn’t see much out of Halliday but he’ll get a better opportunity for minutes especially if he’s been surpassed by Freeman. It’s a W move. Also I think indicates we’re still shopping.
— nothinbutnick (@nothinbutnick) February 17, 2025
I’m guessing the FO sees the potential of Freeman. We’ll need to replace Lodeiro…I don’t think we have a kid at that level yet.
— Jimmy D (@jimmy_slc) February 17, 2025
What!?!?!?! https://t.co/STHHUVuSMy pic.twitter.com/qn4iAi9Jhy
— John Rawlins (@JohnRawlinsOCSC) February 17, 2025
So did we clear a $1M in cap space since Lodeiro was making $800k and Halliday $200k?
Nice.
— City Insider (@InsiderORL) February 17, 2025
Interesting. Thought Nico would go back to Uruguay, but probably a cash feal move.
Honestly good for Halliday, as with Dagur and Freeman emerging, he was not getting playing time to develop.
— Daniel Cluley 🧢💜🦁💙🌞 (@DanielCluley) February 17, 2025
Good for Halliday especially. He wasn’t going to get a ton of time here https://t.co/oJo5B2fRVh
— x- Antonio Cruz🏆 (@EddieTheCommish) February 17, 2025
Forever lions
— nothinbutnick (@nothinbutnick) February 17, 2025
Halliday was 4th in the RB depth chart at this point behind Dagur, Freeman and Kyle. He wasn’t going to play and was expensive for a HG.
Nico leaving ensures Ojeda/Muriel get all the #10 minutes which is what we need. We will need another 6/8 for depth behind Atuesta & Cesar https://t.co/yUtQAlE20t
— SayWhatNah? (@CleonONE) February 17, 2025
Our midfield depth is taking another hit… way too short handed… https://t.co/hkAQSMy5pu
— daguru (@daguru9) February 17, 2025
definitely didn’t expect this. really bad for our squad depthhttps://t.co/90t5lXT1Sl
— Tony (@Thony_0812) February 17, 2025
Nico leaving is fine it just didn’t work out here.
Halliday leaving leaves us thin at right back, but it means Alex freeman has looked better in training and more than likely will get more minutes. Fair all around tbh. https://t.co/EczEXUJoRk
— Ghxst (@smokeyflarez) February 17, 2025
Man. I really like Nico. Got to trust the process but dang. https://t.co/Qjt7wcjVhX
— anakenn (@anakenn) February 17, 2025
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