ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 26, 2023) – Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese have both been named as finalists for MLS Year-End Awards, it was announced today. Gallese joins Roman Bürki of St. Louis CITY SC and Roman Celentano of FC Cincinnati as finalists for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, while McGuire joins Aidan Morris of the Columbus Crew and Thiago Almada of Atlanta United FC in the running for Young Player of the Year.
Gallese has kept a Club-record 11 clean sheets this season across all competitions, including 10 in the MLS regular season, making 79 saves and keeping a 1.1 Goals Against Average through 30 regular-season matches in 2023. The 33-year-old shot stopper additionally kept a shutout on the road in City’s first appearance in the Concacaf Champions League against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL.
McGuire scored a team-high 15 goals across all competitions, including 13 in the MLS regular season, with four of those serving as game-winning goals for the Lions. The Omaha, Nebraska, native also passed Damani Ralph and holds the second-most goals scored by a draft pick in their first MLS season out of college, trailing only former Lion Cyle Larin. The Lions are 7-2-5 across all competitions when McGuire scores.
Orlando City SC kicks off its Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs campaign this Monday, Oct. 30, at Exploria Stadium, welcoming in Round One opponent Nashville SC. The Lions and Nashville kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and FS1, with tickets available here.
