The boys are back: Orlando City open preseason training ahead of 2023 campaign

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The boys are back.

Orlando City SC returned to the Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park on Monday for the first day of preseason training, ready to get to work ahead of the 2023 MLS campaign.

"We're very excited to start a new season after a very successful one," Lions head coach Óscar Pareja said. " ... The guys are very excited to be back after this period of resting and sharing (time) with family, but surely we're ready."

The defending U.S. Open Cup champs kicked off camp with a pair of scheduled practice sessions in the morning and evening, seeing the arrival of several new faces, including Argentine midfielder Martín Ojeda and veteran Felipe Martins, plus returning captain Mauricio Pereyra, striker Ercan Kara and winger Facu Torres.

"The most important (thing) is to help the new players to get inside of the team," said Pereyra, who signed a new, two-year contract with the club this offseason through the 2024 season.

"We have a structure ... we won a Cup already, and we know we have a lot of goals in front (of us). We have to help them get inside of the team as soon as possible, and then they will help us get to (the next step)."

Orlando City faces New England Revolution in a preseason exhibition on Feb. 18 at Exploria Stadium before opening the regular season at home against the New York Red Bulls on Feb. 25. For more information, **click here**.