Twitter reacts to… Oscar Pareja’s new Orlando City SC contract through 2028

/ Taylor Williams

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After guiding Orlando City SC to the MLS Cup Playoffs for five consecutive seasons, the hugely popular Oscar Pareja signed a new three-year deal yesterday. Penning his last contract extension in December 2023, this new deal keeps our winningest head coach in club history at Inter&Co Stadium until at least the end of 2028.

Over his five-and-a-half years in Central Florida, the 56-year-old Colombian has successfully turned around the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer. His impact was clear last season, when City reached their first-ever Eastern Conference Final. Although we suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 loss to New York Red Bulls, we came within touching distance of our first-ever MLS Cup. That narrow defeat has only fuelled our hunger and determination to go one better this year – and bring the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy home.

So far, the man affectionately known as Papi has built a genuine brotherhood in the City locker room. That bond paid off three years ago when Orlando City SC defeated Sacramento Republic 3-0 at Inter&Co Stadium to win the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final – our first major title as an MLS club.

Words from the Front Office

Speaking after Oscar Pareja’s contract extension, Orlando City SC Majority Owner and Chairman Mark Wilf said: “Throughout his career, Oscar has proven to be a coach deeply committed not only to winning and competing for championships, but also to building teams that fans can proudly rally behind.

“Here in Orlando, he’s shown that same passion and dedication – taking immense pride in representing our club with integrity and driving us closer each year to our ultimate goal of winning it all.

“His unwavering positivity and focus have helped shape a culture grounded in respect and ambition.

“We’re thrilled to have Oscar continue leading us forward in the City Beautiful.”

On his own contract extension, Oscar Pareja said: “First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Mark Wilf, his family, the entire ownership group, and our executive board for their continued trust in the vision and culture we’ve built over the years.

“Their unwavering support is the foundation of everything we strive to achieve each day.

“Above all, I’m profoundly thankful to our incredible fans and the dedicated staff who pour their hearts into making Orlando City such a remarkable club.

“Together, we’ve grown stronger with each passing season, moving steadily closer to our shared ambition of bringing more trophies home to this great city.

“I remain deeply inspired by what lies ahead and look forward to continuing this journey in pursuit of more championships.”

Oscar Pareja and Orlando City SC: The story so far

Since becoming head coach in December 2019, Oscar Pareja has guided Orlando City SC to an 88-56-58 record over 202 matches.

Under his leadership, the club has reached five consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs, made two CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances, and set new records for wins (18 in 2023), points (63 in 2023), and goals (59 in 2024) in a single season.

He’s also taken us to the #MLSisBack Tournament Final, our first Eastern Conference Final, and delivered our first MLS-era trophy – the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Last but not least, Pareja ranks fifth all-time in MLS coaching wins (176) and is second among active head coaches.

Oscar Pareja: 2020 season

MLS:

  • 4th (Eastern Conference); 5th (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 23 games managed
  • 11 games won
  • 8 games drawn
  • 4 games lost
  • 41 points won
  • 40 goals scored
  • 25 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 3 times

MLS Cup Playoffs:

  • 2 games managed
  • 1 game won
  • 1 game lost
  • 2 goals scored
  • 4 goals conceded

#MLSisBack Tournament:

  • Tournament runners-up
  • 7 games managed
  • 5 games won
  • 1 game drawn
  • 1 game lost
  • 12 goals scored
  • 7 goals conceded

Oscar Pareja: 2021 season

MLS:

  • 6th (Eastern Conference); 10th (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 34 games managed
  • 13 games won
  • 12 games drawn
  • 9 games lost
  • 51 points won
  • 50 goals scored
  • 48 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 0 times

MLS Cup Playoffs:

  • 1 games managed
  • 1 game lost
  • 1 goal scored
  • 3 goals conceded

Leagues Cup:

  • 1 game managed
  • 1 game lost
  • 0 goals scored
  • 1 goal conceded

Oscar Pareja: 2022 season

MLS:

  • 7th (Eastern Conference); 13th (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 34 games managed
  • 14 games won
  • 6 games drawn
  • 14 games lost
  • 48 points won
  • 44 goals scored
  • 53 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 0 times

MLS Cup Playoffs:

  • 1 game managed
  • 1 game lost
  • 0 goals scored
  • 2 goals conceded

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:

  • Tournament winners
  • 7 games managed
  • 7 games won
  • 0 games lost
  • 14 goals scored
  • 5 goals conceded

Oscar Pareja: 2023 season

MLS:

  • 2nd (Eastern Conference); 2nd (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 34 games managed
  • 18 games won
  • 9 games drawn
  • 7 games lost
  • 63 points won
  • 55 goals scored
  • 39 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 4 times

MLS Cup Playoffs:

  • 3 games managed
  • 2 games won
  • 1 game lost
  • 2 goals scored
  • 2 goals conceded

CONCACAF Champions League:

  • 2 games managed
  • 0 games won
  • 2 games drawn (lost on away goals rule)
  • 1 goal scored
  • 1 goal conceded

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup:

  • 1 game managed
  • 0 games won
  • 1 game lost
  • 0 goals scored
  • 1 goal conceded

Leagues Cup:

  • 3 games managed
  • 2 games won
  • 1 game lost
  • 5 goals scored
  • 6 goals conceded

Oscar Pareja: 2024 season

MLS:

  • 4th (Eastern Conference); 9th (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 34 games managed
  • 15 games won
  • 7 games drawn
  • 12 games lost
  • 52 points won
  • 59 goals scored
  • 50 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 1 time

MLS Cup Playoffs:

  • 5 games managed
  • 3 games won
  • 2 games lost
  • 4 goals scored
  • 2 goals conceded

CONCACAF Champions Cup:

  • 4 games managed
  • 2 games won
  • 1 game drawn
  • 1 game lost
  • 8 goals scored
  • 5 goals conceded

Leagues Cup:

  • 3 games managed
  • 2 games won
  • 1 game lost
  • 5 goals scored
  • 2 goals conceded

Oscar Pareja: 2025 season (so far)

MLS:

  • 7th (Eastern Conference); 14th (Supporters’ Shield)
  • 8 games managed
  • 3 games won
  • 3 games drawn
  • 2 games lost
  • 12 points won
  • 15 goals scored
  • 12 goals conceded
  • Named head coach of the MLS Team of the Matchday 0 times

Congratulations, Oscar!

Oscar Pareja has been one of the most experienced managerial figures in MLS having spent two seasons as Colorado Rapids head coach, five seasons at FC Dallas, and now five-and-a-half seasons at Orlando City SC.

One of the most dedicated and hardworking coaches around, Papi has so far coached the Lions for 1,961 days in total.

Orlando City UK would like to take this moment to say congratulations to Oscar Pareja on his contract extension and thank you for all his efforts since arriving in Central Florida in December 2019.

Incredibly passionate about Orlando City SC, to which we have no doubt, let’s hope that Oscar Pareja can finally deliver that elusive MLS Cup in his time remaining with the club.

The fans’ view

Following news of Oscar Pareja’s contract extension, Orlando City UK gathered the best of what Lions supporters are saying on Twitter (now X).

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