Setback for Orlando City SC in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison

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Despite unveiling an ambitious “career project” to sign him in summer 2026, Orlando City SC have been rebuffed in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison. Yesterday, Bruno Andrade of ESPN Brasil revealed that City wanted to sign the Brazilian to a long-term deal, making him a central figure in our pre-2026 FIFA World Cup plans. Today, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano corroborated the story, confirming that “Ricardo Moreira spoke to Richarlison’s camp” in London to outline the project. However, talks stalled, with the forward still considered “a key player for Spurs”.

Some claim that Orlando tried to sign Richarlison this past summer, but the biggest obstacle is Tottenham’s asking price – reportedly around €40 million ($46.4 million). This was a figure that Orlando City SC were simply unwilling to consider. Richarlison (28) holds a contract with Spurs until December 2027 and has played in England since 2017. This season, the Brazilian international has contributed three goals and one assist in seven Premier League appearances for Thomas Frank’s side. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Columbus Crew – 04.10.2025

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THE LIONS ARE LOCKED IN!! 🦁🔒 For the sixth straight season, Orlando City SC have clinched their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs – and there’s still plenty left to play for! A stoppage time header from Alex Freeman sealed a 1-1 draw at high-flying FC Cincinnati last Sunday – a result that keeps us right in the hunt for a top four finish. With just three games to go, every point is priceless.

Now back at Inter&Co Stadium for our penultimate home fixture of the regular season, the focus shifts to Columbus Crew. Sitting just two points and two places beneath us in ninth, Wilfried Nancy’s men arrive winless in three, reeling from a 2-0 defeat at Chicago Fire. Crucially, we hold a game in hand on almost all of the top six, making Saturday’s clash more than just a playoff preview. It’s a chance to draw closer to the top four and build momentum at just the right time. With nine Eastern teams now locked into the post-season, the only question left is who secures a top four spot and who gets pulled into the Wild Card fight. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – 28.09.2025

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THE CARDIAC CATS ARE BACK, BABY!! 🫀🦁 And just in the nick of time! Duncan McGuire’s last-gasp winner against Nashville SC wasn’t only massive for him personally. It could prove huge in our push for a top four home playoff spot. When Jacob Shaffelburg made it 2-2 after our hard-earned 2-0 lead, every Lion felt that familiar sinking feeling.

But credit to the boys – and to McGuire – for playing to the whistle, keeping the belief, and snatching what might be a season-defining goal. A trademark poacher’s finish, it was McGuire’s first City strike since May 24, and it keeps our playoff hopes alive heading into the final four games. Next up is a tough trip to TQL Stadium, where Pat Noonan’s FC Cincinnati are pushing hard in the 2025 Supporters’ Shield race. In our third ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ slot of the season, let’s hope we can make it back-to-back wins after busting our five-game winless slump. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Nashville SC – 20.09.2025

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We’re feeling the pressure, aren’t we? 😬 After a costly 1-1 draw at bottom-placed D.C. United, Orlando City SC return home for a massive showdown with Nashville SC. Winless since advancing past Toluca, the Lions must rediscover their form with the playoffs fast approaching – or at least we hope! Dropping points at Audi Field was criminal, and with only five regular season games left, the margin for error is now razor thin.

The stakes couldn’t be clearer. Orlando currently sit EIGHTH on 48 points but have one game in hand and trail fourth-placed Nashville by just two. A win at Inter&Co Stadium would put us right back in the top four fight. But Nashville have been a nightmare opponent this year, knocking us out of the U.S. Open Cup and hammering us 5-1 only two league games ago. Nothing less than three points will do if we’re serious about chasing a home playoff spot. No more excuses! Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: D.C. United vs Orlando City SC – 13.09.2025

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BACK TO BUSINESS, LIONS! 🦁 After a frustrating fourth place finish in the 2025 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC are back in MLS action this Saturday. Visiting D.C. United, we desperately need three points and a return to form. The Galaxy defeat still stings, and the squad looked drained in Carson. But the international break gave most of our players a chance to rest, recover, and reset ahead of this must-win clash.

The East is still wide open, and with a game in hand on the current top four, this fixture is crucial if we want to secure a home playoff spot. D.C. United may be rock bottom, but they’ve picked up under new head coach René Weiler. Unbeaten in three (1-2-0), they pulled off a shock 1-2 win at New York City FC last time out, so they won’t be pushovers. Lose this one, and it’s panic stations. Win it, and we’re back on track, with belief and momentum heading down the stretch. Continue reading

Twitter reacts to… Al-Kholood signing Ramiro Enrique from Orlando City SC

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After César Luis Merlo broke the story on August 29, Orlando City SC have announced that Ramiro Enrique has joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood in a deal reportedly worth $3.3 million. While the MLS Secondary Transfer Window closed on August 21, the Saudi window remains open until September 10, giving the club time to reinforce their squad. Tom Bogert tweeted that the move is the “third-highest outbound transfer in Orlando City history”, behind Facundo Torres ($14 million) and Daryl Dike ($9.5 million). And given that Enrique never fully secured a regular starting spot at centre forward, the Lions clearly couldn’t turn down the offer.

Joining from Banfield ahead of the 2023 campaign, Ramiro Enrique quickly won over The Wall with his tireless, street-fighter style up front. Though not a consistent starter, he displaced Luis Muriel and Duncan McGuire midway through last season, setting a new club record with six consecutive games scoring. His standout moment came in the 2024 Eastern Conference Semi-Final against Atlanta United on November 24, when he scored his first-ever playoff goal on 39 minutes – enough to send Orlando to their first-ever Eastern Conference Final.

Overall, Enrique made 102 appearances (43 starts) for City across all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 7 assists. Renowned for his intelligent movement, tireless work ethic, and clinical finishing, we wish Ramiro all the best in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 31.08.2025

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THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, DIDN’T THEY? 🤬😤 Orlando City SC were kicked to the curb in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. Ultimately, we were robbed of a Leagues Cup Final berth by decisions that only went one way. Just two games ago, we had a chance to reach third place in the East and the 2025 Leagues Cup Final. With both chances missed, we’re now clinging on to salvage at least a 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup spot in the Third Place Match. The game can be cruel and unrelenting, but we need to keep going. As Ricardo Moreira tweeted after our semi-final heartbreak: “Tomorrow is day one again.”

It’s a brutal turnaround, too. Having flown cross-country to Los Angeles on August 20, we’re back in Carson for the third time in 2025. This time not for silverware, but survival of sorts. A third place finish still gets us into continental football, and that has to be the focus. LA Galaxy may be a mess in MLS – rock bottom, with the worst title defence in league history. But don’t think for a second they won’t throw everything at this! Continue reading

Orlando City SC to release MLS Archive Collection third kit in 2026

A die-hard Orlando City SC supporter and devoted jersey collector, I’ve been envious seeing 15 other clubs unveil stunning MLS Archive Collection third kits over the past two seasons. That’s why today’s news from FootyHeadlines.com is especially exciting! Indeed, Orlando are among eight teams set to receive an Adidas MLS Archive Collection third kit in 2026.

Aside from special edition Parley, PRIMEBLUE, and One Planet shirts worn on one-off, cause-related occasions, 2026 will be the first time City have ever had an official third kit in Major League Soccer. And surely, it has to be red?

Today’s unofficial announcement builds on Adidas’ revival of their “Freekick” magazine earlier this summer, which coincided with the 2025 MLS Archive Collection launch. That launch saw 10 additional clubs join the program after the inaugural 2024 rollout, when five teams unveiled third kits. The “Freekick” issue also revealed that eight more MLS sides would follow in 2026 – and now we know Orlando are one of them. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 27.08.2025

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LET’S REACH A FINAL!! 😬💪🏽 After a rotated Orlando City SC side fell 5-1 at Nashville SC, focus now shifts to the biggest Sunshine Clásico yet! If we win at Chase Stadium this Wednesday, we’d not only reach our first-ever Leagues Cup Final. We’d qualify for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup too! Already sweeping Inter Miami (0-3 and 4-1) this MLS regular season, Lionel Messi is back from injury and fired up to make amends.

Lose, and we’ll face LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders in the Third Place Match with Champions Cup qualification still at stake. Martín Ojeda is fresh after being rested in Nashville. And Miami slayer Luis Muriel is available, with his one-game suspension not carrying over into Leagues Cup. Just 180 minutes separate City from a second MLS-era trophy, so let’s rise to the challenge! Continue reading