Luiz Muzzi

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Flamengo – 27.01.2024

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In a new calendar year, we get to witness our beloved Orlando City SC take the field earlier than ever before with the Lions hosting Brazilian giants Flamengo at our newly renamed Inter&Co Stadium in a friendly match as part of the FC Series 2024.

A friendly announced back on December 7 and originally scheduled to take place at Camping World Stadium, the fixture marks City’s first friendly in preparation for the 2024 season and Flamengo’s final game of their weeklong pre-season tour of Florida. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Nicolás Lodeiro

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Orlando City SC have today announced the marquee signing of two-time MLS Cup champion and CONCACAF Champions League winner Nicolás Lodeiro after the attacking midfielder departed Seattle Sounders on December 12.

Signing a contract through 2024 with an option for 2025, Lodeiro won’t occupy a Designated Player slot at Inter&Co Stadium despite his proven calibre. Ultimately, the 34-year-old MLS veteran now fills the void left by fellow Uruguayan number 10 Mauricio Pereyra who spent four-and-a-half years in Central Florida before mutually terminating his City contract and returning to Nacional in December. 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… Mauricio Pereyra’s Orlando City SC contract termination

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A veteran of 114 MLS regular season appearances for Orlando City SC, the Lions today confirmed that midfielder and club captain Mauricio Pereyra has mutually agreed to terminate his contract, ending his four-and-a-half year stay at Exploria Stadium.

Signed from FC Krasnodar as a Designated Player midway through the 2019 season, El Maestro departs Central Florida as a hugely popular player and captain, one who led the Lions to their first major title as an MLS club – the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Continue reading →

Winners revealed in Orlando City UK’s 2023 end-of-season awards

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This past week, we asked the Orlando City SC Twittersphere to select their Orlando City SC Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2023 as part of our annual Orlando City UK end-of-season awards.

A public vote designed to recognise the standout Orlando City SC players in our highly impressive, yet agonisingly unfruitful 2023 campaign, we can now proudly reveal the winners as voted by you! Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC selling Ercan Kara to Samsunspor

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Despite the fact Orlando City SC can no longer sign reinforcements with the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closing back on August 2, the Lions today sold Ercan Kara to Turkish Süper Lig side Samsunspor.

Opening up a Designated Player slot on the Lions’ roster ahead of the 2024 MLS campaign, the 27-year-old centre forward departs Exploria Stadium as a divisive figure who for some, City’s playing style inhibited, and for others, failed to live up to high expectations in his one-and-a-half seasons with the club. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC re-signing Júnior Urso

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Exactly a week since Orlando City SC supporters were treated to clips of Júnior Urso revisiting Osceola Heritage Park and embracing Oscar Pareja, the Lions yesterday announced the re-signing of the 34-year-old fan favourite on a contract through the end of the 2023 season – with a club option in 2024.

A surprise, yet hugely popular mid-season addition to our 2023 roster, it’s been 251 days since Júnior Urso mutually terminated his contract with City, reluctantly returning to Brazil – and Coritiba – due to personal reasons. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC signing Martín Ojeda

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Orlando City SC‘s 2023 recruitment drive kicked into another gear today after the Lions announced the signing of highly-rated Argentine winger Martín Ojeda from Godoy Cruz.

Arriving at Exploria Stadium after journalist César Luis Merlo broke the story back on December 21, the 24-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Lions and becomes the club’s third Designated Player alongside Ercan Kara and Facundo Torres. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Orlando City SC trading Ruan to D.C. United

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A veteran of 101 Major League Soccer appearances for Orlando City SC, the Lions today confirmed that defender Ruan has been traded to D.C. United in exchange for the No. 2 overall selection in tonight’s 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

Nicknamed “The Flash” due to his lightning quick pace, the fan favourite now joins up with Wayne Rooney at Audi Field after completing four MLS seasons with the Lions. Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Júnior Urso’s Orlando City SC exit

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A veteran of 87 Major League Soccer appearances for Orlando City SC, the Lions today confirmed that Júnior Urso has mutually terminated his contract with the club.

A fan favourite at Exploria Stadium, Urso departs Central Florida due to personal reasons that require him to return back to his native Brazil. Continue reading →