The breakdown
Conference: Eastern
Head coach: Oscar Pareja (fourth season)
2022 record: 14 wins - 14 losses - 6 draws for 48 points (7th place in East; U.S. Open Cup champions)
2022 postseason: Lost to CF Montreal (2-0) in Eastern Conference first round
No. 1 - Pedro Gallese
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 32
Citizenship: Peru
Returning to Orlando on a new two-year contract with a club option for 2025, El Pulpo looks to continue cementing his place as one of the league's top goalkeepers. Over this three seasons in purple, Gallese has totaled 21 clean sheets across all competitions, including leading the Lions to their all-time, single-season shutout record in both 2021 and 2022 with nine in a single campaign.
No. 3 - Rafael Santos
Position: Defender
Age: 25
Citizenship: Brazil
One of several new faces in the lineup for the 2023 campaign, Santos comes to the Lions on a two-year deal with options for 2025 and '26 after being acquired in January from Brazilian Série A side Cruzeiro. At 5-foot-11, Santos looks to slot in at fullback and build on a resume that has seen him contribute five goals and eight assists in 92 professional appearances across all competitions.
No. 5 - César Araújo
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
Citizenship: Uruguay
A fan favorite in the midfield, Araújo has proven to be a physical force and a rising star for Orlando since being acquired by the club as its first U22 initiative signing in January 2022 from Montevideo Wanderers of the Uruguayan Primera División.
No. 6 - Robin Jansson
Position: Defender
Age: 31
Citizenship: Sweden
The big Swede will make a welcome return to Orlando's lineup this season after missing the end of the 2022 campaign because of October surgery to repair a stress fracture of the right navicular bone in his foot. Strength, size and vision make the 6-foot-2 Jansson one of the best rising players in MLS and a critical piece of the club's defensive core.
No. 7 - Ramiro Enrique
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Citizenship: Argentina
The 21-year-old made his unofficial City debut as a substitute in the club's preseason finale against New England, and has a high trajectory after being signed as a U22 initiative acquisition in January. With his previous club, Banfield, Enrique found the back of the net 11 times in 66 contests and looks to bring versatility with his ability to play a variety of positions on the pitch.
No. 8 - Felipe Martins
Position: Midfielder
Age: 32
Citizenship: Brazil
Gritty, determined and possessing an uncanny ability to get under the skin of the opposition, the veteran Martins will quickly endear himself to fans while adding leadership and key depth to Orlando's lineup after joining the club in the offseason from Austin FC.
No. 9 - Ercan Kara
Position: Striker
Age: 27
Citizenship: Austria
Orlando's leader in goals last season with 11 in 29 matches, the designated player looks poised for a breakout season. He should benefit greatly from the club's offseason acquisitions with more opportunities to pad his goal total and capitalize on scoring chances in 2023.
No. 10 - Mauricio Pereyra
Position: Midfielder
Age: 32
Citizenship: Uruguay
The club's leader on and off the pitch, El Capitán enters the 2023 season just two matches shy of 100 career appearances for the Lions as he returns for his fourth season in purple on a new contract through 2024. Pereyra, who will turn 33 in March, helped lead Orlando to the U.S. Open Cup crown and will wear the armband as the club participates in its first Concacaf Champions League tournament this spring.
No. 11 - Martin Ojeda
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Citizenship: Argentina
Arguably Luiz Muzzi and Ricardo Moreira's biggest splash signing of the offseason, the Lions' newest designated player joins City from Godoy Cruz and should drive what looks to be a dangerous offensive attack. In preseason, Ojeda showed many flashes of brilliance (including a brace against college side Florida International) and has supporters buzzing about what may be to come starting Saturday vs. New York.
No. 13 - Duncan McGuire
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Citizenship: United States
One of three key selections in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft -- alongside teammates Shakur Mohammed and Abdi Salim -- sixth-overall pick McGuire was the NCAA Division I leading scorer with 23 goals and 49 points in 2022, earning MAC Hermann Trophy honors with Creighton University. Will that goal-scoring prowess translate to the professional level? He looked comfortable in preseason and will have plenty of opportunity to prove himself as he is guaranteed to be with the Lions through 2023, plus club options in 2024, 2025 and 2026, after agreeing to an MLS contract as a pre-signed senior ahead of draft day.
No. 14 - Shakur Mohammed
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Citizenship: Ghana
Orlando's top pick in December's SuperDraft -- in which the Lions traded up with D.C. United, sending Ruan to the nation's capital in exchange for the second-overall selection -- Mohammed brings an impressive collegiate resume of his own. A semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Award (that went to Mohammed's new City teammate Duncan McGuire), the former Duke University standout netted 13 goals and nine assists for 35 points in 37 games with the Blue Devils, and was poised in preseason with the big club.
No. 15 - Rodrigo Schlegel
Position: Midfielder
Age: 25
Citizenship: Argentina
If there's ever a case to be made for club legend long before you retire, Schlegel may have quite the stronghold on it with everything he's accomplished so far in his Orlando tenure. Described by Luiz Muzzi as a player who has "continually proven himself an invaluable member of our club, both on the field and off," the Argentine center back re-signed with Orlando for at least two more seasons (guaranteed through 2024 with club options for 2025 and 2026) and should continue to solidify things defensively.
No. 16 - Wilder Cartagena
Position: Midfielder
Age: 28
Citizenship: Peru
Looking to build on his impact following a midseason loan move to Orlando City from Emirati club Ittihad Kalba, which was extended for the 2023 campaign, the 5-foot-11 midfielder provides solid depth after appearing eight times for the Lions last season.
No. 17 - Facundo Torres
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Citizenship: Uruguay
If the sequel is anything like the first go around, El Cuervo will be downright unstoppable in 2023. The winger racked up nine goals and 10 assists in 2022, earned Man-of-the-Match honors for his performance in City's U.S. Open Cup championship victory and represented his native Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Will an MVP campaign be the follow up? Time will tell, but Torres certainly seems well on his way.
No. 20 - Luca Petrasso
Position: Defender
Age: 22
Citizenship: Canada
Acquired via trade from Toronto FC in the fall in exchange for general-allocation money, the Canadian notched four assists in 23 matches (21 starts) for the Reds as a Homegrown in his first full professional season. Prior to 2022, Petrasso netted three goals over four years with Toronto FC II of MLS NEXT Pro.
No. 22 - Gastón González
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Citizenship: Argentina
Effectively a new addition to the squad after missing all of last season with a knee injury sustained prior to his arrival, the Lions will look for big things from the Argentine as he enters the lineup fully healthy. Signed through 2024 with club options through 2027, González will look to bring the form to Orlando that made him dynamic for Club Atletico Union where he scored eight goals with seven helpers across 58 appearances with the Primera División side.
No. 23 - Dagur Dan Thórhallsson
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22
Citizenship: Iceland
The Icelandic National Team midfielder is one of the most versatile players on the Lions' roster this season. Acquired from Breiðablik UBK of the Icelandic Besta deild karla on the final day of January, Thórhallsson (pronounced DAH-ghoor DAHN THOWR-halt-son in full) is a midfielder by trade, but can also play on the wings or even at right back. He showcased some offensive power in the preseason, and can contribute both offensively and defensively.
No. 24 - Kyle Smith
Position: Defender
Age: 31
Citizenship: United States
The Accountant, as he is nicknamed following a winding pathway to the professional ranks that saw him work toward his CPA after college, returns on a one-year deal and looks to provide needed veteran depth at fullback. Smith appeared in 29 matches for the Lions last season -- his most since joining Orlando from USL Championship side Louisville City in 2019.
No. 25 - Antônio Carlos
Position: Defender
Age: 29
Citizenship: Brazil
Entering his fourth season with the club, Antônio Carlos looks to continue the strong connection that he's built with back-line partner Robin Jansson. Despite missing time with a hamstring injury, the Brazilian appeared in 21 of Orlando's 34 regular-season matches last season, and played the full 90 minutes in the team's first-round playoff loss to CF Montreal.
No. 26 - Michael Halliday
Position: Defender
Age: 20
Citizenship: United States
The Apopka, Florida native is looking to build on his nine appearances with the club last season and earn his spot in the Starting XI following the departure of Ruan in the winter. A January call-up for the U.S. Men's National Team's U-20 squad, Halliday played like he belonged in the role in Orlando's preseason-finale defeat against New England at right back, setting the tone for what should be a strong season to come.
No. 27 - Jack Lynn
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Citizenship: United States
The club's first-round selection last year, Lynn will look for more opportunities with the First Team (five appearances in 2022) after showcasing his potential with Orlando City B last season where he finished third in MLS NEXT Pro in scoring with 15 goals and four assists in 18 matches.
No. 28 - Abdi Salim
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Citizenship: United States/Kenya
Following an impressive stretch of appearances in preseason for the Lions, the club's final first-round selection in the 2023 SuperDraft inked a one-year contract with options for 2024, 2025 and 2026 and adds a winning pedigree. The 6-foot-1 Salim led Syracuse University to the 2022 College Cup championship, leading a back line that recorded 11 clean sheets in the school's run to its first national title.
No. 30 - Alex Freeman
Position: Defender
Age: 18
Citizenship: United States
The teenager is still early in his development after signing the 12th Homegrown contract in the history of the club in February 2022. Signed through 2025 with an option for '26, the right back will look to continue battling for opportunities with the First Team and mastering his skills, likely with Orlando City B where he finished with three assists in 19 matches last season.
No. 31 - Mason Stajduhar
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 25
Citizenship: United States
The longest-tenured player on City's roster, Stajduhar provides a capable, quality top backup option behind Pedro Gallese. During the regular season, Stajduhar made nine saves during his two MLS appearances in 2022. He also featured three times against Tampa Bay of the USL Championship, Philadelphia and Inter Miami during Orlando's U.S. Open Cup run.
No. 32 - Wilfredo Rivera
Position: Forward
Age: 19
Citizenship: Puerto Rico
After a 10-game stint with Orlando City B where he scored a goal with three assists, then a loan to USL Championship side Indy Eleven for 11 matches, Rivera looks to crack the First Team for the first time in 2023. He finished the preseason strong, rocketing home a goal in the second-to-last match against Stetson University and will look to build on his development.
No. 68 - Thomas Williams
Position: Defender
Age: 18
Citizenship: United States
Another USMNT U-20 call-up this winter and a Homegrown signing as a 16-year-old in 2021, the teenage talent Williams eyes added minutes with the First Team after getting his first four appearances, including two starts, with the senior club in 2022.
No. 77 - Iván Angulo
Position: Winger/forward
Age: 23
Citizenship: Colombia
Acquired on loan from Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras of Brazil’s Série A last summer, Angulo looks to turn a strong finish to Orlando's preseason into momentum for 2023. After two assists in 11 appearances with the Lions down the stretch last season, the Colombian winger scored in the 17th minute for City in the exhibition finale.
95 - Favian Loyola
Position: Midfielder
Age: 17
Citizenship: United States
An Orlando City Academy product, the 13th Homegrown signing in club history has steadily and impressively risen through the Lions' pipeline and will look to keep progressing upward. He scored six goals in 11 appearances for Orlando City B, earning MVP honors in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game last summer.
No. 99 - Adam Grinwis
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 30
Citizenship: United States
Grinny is back for 2023 on a one-year deal as the Lions' likely third option in net. He has appeared 11 times across two separate stints for Orlando, posting 31 saves and one clean sheet.
