There have been plenty of superlative breakout performances on Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City. But none have quite jumped off the page quite like Chris Mueller’s.
“Cash” was already a key player for the Lions over his first two seasons, notching 8 G/11 A over 61 appearances. The 6th overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft showed flashes of potential, but his role tended to fluctuate between starter and super-sub, and coaching changes and general instability surrounding the team put a lid on what he could achieve.
Not so in 2020. Mueller quickly earned the trust of Pareja and his coaching staff, scoring four goals in his first four games between the regular season start and the bubble. Mueller broke out in a huge way against NYCFC in the second bubble game, scoring twice in the first ten minutes to announce Orlando City’s arrival among MLS’ contending pack.
