Lions

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Iván Angulo permanently

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On loan at Orlando City SC since July 2022, the Lions today announced the permanent signing of Colombian winger Iván Angulo from Brazilian side Palmeiras – another key piece of winter transfer business that City supporters were keenly anticipating.

Signing a guaranteed contract through 2025, with a club option in 2026, Angulo was a standout contributor last year and registered five goals and eight assists across 2,499 minutes in our 2023 MLS regular season, scoring the crucial goal away at Nashville SC that set up our Eastern Conference Semi-Final with Columbus Crew. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC finalising deal to sign MLS veteran Nicolás Lodeiro

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North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted today that Orlando City SC are finalising a deal to sign two-time MLS Cup winning attacking midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro after he departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.

After Mauricio Pereyra mutually terminated his contract with City on December 6 before re-joining Nacional shortly after, experienced fellow Uruguayan Lodeiro now adequately fills the void left by Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years at Inter&Co Stadium. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC reject Blackburn Rovers’ loan offer for Duncan McGuire

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North American transfer expert Tom Bogert tweeted yesterday that Orlando City SC have rejected a loan offer from EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers for striker Duncan McGuire.

With Bogert’s tweet stating that “Orlando have no interest in entertaining loan offers”, Blackburn are the latest side looking to prise McGuire away from Inter&Co Stadium after previous reported interest from Belgian Pro League sides Anderlecht and R.W.D. Molenbeek. Continue reading →

Orlando City SC’s complete 2024 MLS schedule revealed

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(Credit: Orlando City SC)

Orlando City SC supporters have today learned when each of their thirty-four 2024 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 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Continue reading →

Who are Orlando City SC’s four 2024 MLS SuperDraft picks?

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Whetting the appetite for a brand new Major League Soccer season, the 2024 MLS SuperDraft took place yesterday with Orlando City SC making four picks overall.

After Oscar Pareja‘s Lions selected Jeorgio Kocevski, Yutaro Tsukada (pictured), Filip Mirkovic, and Riyon Tori, Orlando City UK found out a little more about each individual college talent acquired in the draft. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Oscar Pareja’s new Orlando City SC contract through 2025

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“It’s done” as Frodo Baggins famously said in the Lord of the Rings! After guiding Orlando City SC to the MLS Cup Playoffs for four consecutive seasons, the hugely popular Oscar Pareja has now signed a new two-year deal, keeping our winningest head coach in club history at Exploria Stadium until at least the end of 2025.

During his four-year tenure in Central Florida, the 55-year-old Colombian has successfully turned around the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer, so much so that City broke their own regular season records this year to finish runners-up to FC Cincinnati in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield despite having the lowest salary spend of all – a hugely impressive feat.

So far, the man affectionately known as Papi has built a genuine brotherhood in the City locker room, one that yielded silverware last year when Orlando City SC defeated Sacramento Republic 3-0 to win the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at Exploria Stadium – our first major title as an MLS club. Continue reading →

2024 MLS SuperDraft preview: Reviewing Orlando City SC’s 31 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 2024 MLS SuperDraft getting underway tomorrow, 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 →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC’s Antônio Carlos joining Fluminense

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A veteran of 88 MLS regular season appearances for Orlando City SC, the Lions today confirmed that defender Antônio Carlos has completed a transfer to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Fluminense back in his native Brazil.

Initially signed on loan at Exploria Stadium back in 2020, the 30-year-old departs Central Florida as a hugely popular player, one whose esteemed centre back partnership with Robin Jansson has been pivotal in our upward trajectory under Oscar Pareja. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Wilder Cartagena permanently

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On loan at Orlando City SC since August 2022, the Lions today announced the permanent signing of Peruvian international midfielder Wilder Cartagena from UAE Pro League club Ittihad Kalba FC.

Signing a two-year deal at Exploria Stadium, one of City’s most important pieces of off-season transfer business is now complete with Cartagena and César Araújo striking up an outstanding central midfield partnership this past year, physically dominating MLS games and helping City to second place in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield as a dynamic double pivot. Continue reading →

5 things you need to know about our 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup opponents Cavalry FC

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*Article updated on December 15 after the Round One (first leg) venue change

Yesterday, Orlando City SC were drawn against Canadian opponents Cavalry FC in the two-legged Round One stage of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, formerly known as the CONCACAF Champions League.

With City participating in the competition for the second successive season, Oscar Pareja‘s side are joining North America’s elite by virtue of being the next-best club in the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield behind winners FC Cincinnati. Continue reading →