2023 Orlando City roster
Pedro Gallese
Position: Goalkeeper
Age/Ht: 32/6-3
Citizenship: Peru
The buzz: Having just signed a new two-year contract, Gallese locks in his postion as one of the best goalkeepers the Lions have ever had. Last season, he became Orlando’s all-time leader in wins (35) and clean sheets (21).
Mason Stajduhar
Position: Goalkeeper
Age/Ht: 25/6-2
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: The longest tenured player for the Lions, Stajduhar played a big part last year in the club’s run to the Open Cup final. He will be Gallese’s backup heading into the season and will most likely get a number of matches due to the Lions’ heavy schedule.
Adam Grinwis
Position: Goalkeeper
Age/Ht: 30/6-2
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: The former 2019 U.S. Open Cup hero signed a new one-year contract as the third-string keeper. Now in his fifth combined season with the Lions, after an earlier stint in 2018-19, Grinwis will most likely get some spot minutes with Orlando City B as he did in 2022.
Robin Jansson
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 31/6-2
Citizenship: Sweden
The buzz: After missing the end of last season due to a foot injury and subsequent surgery, Jansson comes into his fifth season with the Lions as one of the best passing centerbacks in the league. His left foot has proved vital in opening up defenses through the last few seasons and his physical presence has been key in holding down the backline.
Rodrigo Schlegel
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 25/5-11
Citizenship: Argentina
The buzz: Fresh off a new two-year contract, Schlegel played a career-high 29 games in the regular season in 2022, taking a big step forward in his development. As the first backup behind Jansson and Antonio Carlos, he will be a big factor as the season wears on and more games are played.
Kyle Smith
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 31/6-0
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: Smith comes into a new one-year contract after playing the most matches he has played in Orlando last season. A fullback, who played both sides of the pitch, is a versatile veteran. He has been with the club since 2019 and continues to be a solid depth player for the Lions.
Antonio Carlos
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 29/6-3
Citizenship: Brazil
The buzz: A standout defensive player for the Lions, Antonio Carlos has been a rock in the backline for the past three seasons. He will be a key factor if he can remain healthy for the Orlando defense this season.
Michael Halliday
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 20/ 6-1
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: A starter for the U-20 National Team, Halliday looks to be the prospective starter at fullback for Orlando. The Orlando native played only a handful of games last season, but the coaching staff has been high on him over the last year. Look for him to take a big jump.
Alex Freeman
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 18/6-2
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: The son of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Freeman, he signed a homegrown deal last year but did not appear for the Lions in MLS. Look for him to get more minutes with Orlando City B as he continues his development.
Thomas Williams
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 18/6-3
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: The Orlando native signed a Homegrown deal in June of 2021 and made his first MLS appearance in 2022. After playing in four games, and starting two last season, the centerback will look to get minutes whenever possible throughout a long season.
Rafael Santos
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 25/5-11
Citizenship: Brazil
Previous club: Cruziero
The buzz: Santos joins the Lions on a two-year deal from Brazil. After joining the club late in preseason due to visa processes, Santos will battle for the starting left fullback spot that was vacated last season by Joao Moutinho.
Luca Petrasso
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 22/5-11
Citizenship: Canada
Previous club: Toronto FC
The buzz: A former Toronto FC Homegrown player, Petrasso was traded to the Lions for cash early in the offseason. A 21-game starter for the Reds in his first pro season last year, Petrasso hopes to lock down the starting left back role for his new team.
Abdi Salim
Position: Defender
Age/Ht: 21/6-0
Citizenship: Kenya
Previous club: Syracuse
The buzz: The final pick by the Lions in the 2023 SuperDraft, Salim joins the team after winning a national championship with Syracuse this past season. The centerback impressed the coaching staff in preseason, earning a one-year contract with the first team two weeks ago.
César Araújo
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 21/5-10
Citizenship: Uruguay
The buzz: After joining the Lions last season, Araújo became one of the stars of the team’s midfield with his consistent play, physical dominance and timely tackles. He’ll be relied on to help steady the midfield and provide cover for the backline.
Mauricio Pereyra
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 32/5-7
Citizenship: Uruguay
The buzz: Re-signing in the offseason as a non-Designated Player, the captain will take on a different role this season in the midfield by instead of playing more advanced. He’ll be called on to help create from a deeper position while also providing more cover defensively than in previous years.
Martín Ojeda
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 24/5-9
Citizenship: Argentina
Previous club: Godoy Cruz
The buzz: The newest Designated Player for the Lions, Ojeda will instantly become a major focal point of the attack, alongside Facundo Torres and Ercan Kara. His play on the ball, as well as his goalscoring prowess, makes him another danger piece in the attack for the Lions. His three year contract includes two option years through 2027.
Felipe Martins
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 32/5-9
Citizenship: Brazil
Previous club: Austin FC
The buzz: The MLS journeyman has found his way to Orlando on a one-year contract. Now on his sixth MLS club in 11 years, Felipe brings experience in the league and will provide good depth in the midfield for a long season. The Brazilian made 28 league appearances for Austin FC last year, with only five starts.
Favian Loyola
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 17/5-8
Citizenship: United States
Previous club: Orlando City B
The buzz: The 13 th Homegrown player to sign for Orlando, the Lions academy product has impressed in his last two years, rising from the B team to the first team. In 11 appearances for OCB in 2022, he scored 6 goals and was named MVP in the MLS Next All-Star Game in the summer.
Iván Angulo
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 23/5-7
Citizenship: Colombia
The buzz: Brought in on loan from Palmeiras in Brazil midway through last season, Angulo played in nine league matches for the Lions. A pacey, technical winger, the Colombian played a bit of wing back in preseason, showing off his versatility. Angulo’s loan lasts until July of 2023, with an option to extend until the end of the season.
Wilder Cartagena
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 28/5-11
Citizenship: Peru
The buzz: After joining the Lions midway through the 2022 season, started 4 of 8 games he played in, earning an extension of his loan from Al-Ittihad Kalba SC through the 2023 season. A defensive midfielder by trade, he will provide depth behind Cesar Araujo and Mauricio Pereyra in the middle of the pitch.
Shakur Mohammed
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 19/5-10
Citizenship: Ghana
Previous club: Duke
The buzz: After trading up in the MLS SuperDraft to pick Mohammed, he joins the team as an impact player. A versatile young forward or midfielder, the former Blue Devil was a MAC Hermann semifinalist and first team All-American last year. Look for him to get spot minutes as the season starts.
Dagur Thórhallsson
Position: Midfielder
Age/Ht: 22/5-10
Citizenship: Iceland
Previous club: Breidablik
The buzz: A late signing in the offseason, Thórhallsson was called the “swiss army knife” of Icelandic soccer. Primarily a midfielder, he has can play in defense and attack, depending on the need. Thórhallsson signed a two-year deal with club options in 2025 and 2026.
Facundo Torres
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 22/5-10
Citizenship: Uruguay
The buzz: The breakout star for Orlando last season, Torres will be the man to watch as he looks to exceed his 9 goals and 10 assists in league play. Many European teams have been inquiring about the young Uruguyan, which begs the question if he will remain with Orlando or if a team comes in during the summer to scoop him up.
Jack Lynn
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 23/6-2
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: After being the lone draftee to sign with the club last year, Lynn became one of the best goalscorers in MLS Next Pro, finishing third in the league with 15 goals. It will be a struggle for Lynn to find playing time with the first team, so the likelihood of him playing again with OCB or being loaned out is high.
Wilfredo Rivera
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 19/5-6
Citizenship: Puerto Rico
The buzz: Despite being on the team for three years, Rivera has yet to see first team action. After playing for OCB in 10 games and being loaned out to the USL Championship’s Indy Eleven for the remainder of the season, he’ll look to crack into the first team with more experience under his belt.
Ercan Kara
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 27/6-4
Citizenship: Austria
The buzz: The goal-scoring leader for the Lions in 2022 will find out of the can repeat and build on that effort. Despite scoring 11 goals in 29 games, 2023 should be even better with a full year of MLS play under his belt.
Duncan McGuire
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 22/6-1
Citizenship: United States
The buzz: The best goal-scoring forward in college soccer last season, McGuire was picked with the sixth overall selection in the SuperDraft in December. He won the MAC Hermann trophy after scoring 23 goals in 24 games for Creighton last season and will battle for minutes behind Ercan Kara as the backup striker.
Ramiro Enrique
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 21/5-7
Citizenship: Argentina
Previous club: Banfield
The buzz: A U-22 Initiative signing, Enrique is a young versatile player who can play as a striker or winger. He’s mobile and crafty with the ball and will bring a different skillset to the current batch of strikers. He’ll be battling for minutes for his spot with three other players.
Gastón González
Position: Forward
Age/Ht: 21/6-0
Citizenship: Argentina
The buzz: Originally signed last May, González tore his ACL with his previous club, Santa Fe, before coming to Orlando. After spending the entire season last year rehabbing, he is fully healthy and ready to contribute. González’s three-year contract runs through 2024.
Óscar Pareja
Position: Head Coach
Age/Ht: 54/5-8
Citizenship: Colombia
The buzz: Entering his fourth season in charge of Orlando City, Pareja managed to help the Lions win their first trophy in their MLS history last season. Now with more players and more competitions to play in, the opportunities to win more trophies will be there. Pareja also is in a contract year, with his current deal expiring at the end of this season.
