ORLANDO, Fla. (April 8, 2021) - Orlando City SC has signed first round MLS SuperDraft selection Rio Hope-Gund to a one-year First Team contract, with Club options in 2022, 2023 and 2024, ahead of the 2021 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the Club announced today. Hope-Gund will be added to the team’s Supplemental Roster.
“We’re excited to sign Rio after taking him in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft,” said Orlando City SC EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi. “We decided after the draft that it would be beneficial for him to return to Georgetown for the Hoyas’ spring season and he’s done well there, helping their defense to only allow five goals across their eight games played so far and starting in all of them. He’s a player that we were really happy to get this year, who has shown an ability to lead as Team Captain for Georgetown and we think now is the right time to bring him on board ahead of our 2021 MLS season.”
Hope-Gund, 21, was taken by the Lions at No. 19 overall in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft with their second pick of the first round. The New York, N.Y. native joins the Lions following four years at Georgetown University.
During his time in Washington D.C., Hope-Gund recorded 32 starts in 44 appearances, scored two goals and provided two assists. The 21-year-old was part of the Hoyas’ defense that recorded 21 shutouts across the 2018 and 2019 seasons and also won the 2019 NCAA National Championship. The defender was also named to the Big East All-Academic team in 2018. Hope-Gund’s last match for Georgetown was a 5-1 win on Saturday, April 3, on the team’s Senior Day.
TRANSACTION: Orlando City SC signs 2021 MLS SuperDraft selection Rio Hope-Gund to a one-year contract, with Club options in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Rio Hope-Gund
Position: Defender
Height: 6-1
Weight: 170
Born: Aug. 20, 1999 in New York, N.Y.
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Citizenship: USA
