Orlando City's Duncan McGuire Eager for Uninterrupted Preseason

The American forward looks to regain goal-scoring form after injury-plagued seasons.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Duncan McGuire, a 25-year-old forward for Orlando City, is excited to have a full, uninterrupted preseason with the team for the first time in his four-year MLS career. After missing significant time the past two preseasons due to injury and a failed transfer, McGuire is hoping to regain the goal-scoring touch that saw him score double-digit goals in his first two seasons with the Lions.

Why it matters

With the departures of key offensive players Ramiro Enrique and Luis Muriel, McGuire is expected to be Orlando City's primary striker this season. However, he'll need to prove he can stay healthy and rediscover his scoring ability after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. A successful preseason could be crucial for McGuire to cement his role and help the Lions improve their finishing in the final third.

The details

McGuire missed all of preseason training camp last year to recover from shoulder surgery, and in 2024, he missed nearly 10 days of the crucial preseason trip to Mexico due to a failed transfer to English club Blackburn Rovers. Now with a full, uninterrupted preseason under his belt, McGuire is looking to restore his goal-scoring prowess and cement his place as the team's starting striker.

  • McGuire finished the 2025 season with three goals in 18 games played.
  • The 2026 MLS regular season kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The players

Duncan McGuire

A 25-year-old American forward for Orlando City, who was a draft pick from Creighton University in 2023.

Wilder Cartagena

A teammate of McGuire's on the Orlando City roster.

Oscar Pareja

The head coach of Orlando City, who is tasked with helping McGuire regain his goal-scoring form.

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What they’re saying

“I would definitely say that's what came across my mind earlier is when last year I didn't get a full preseason because I was injured, and then the year before, I was gone for about a week and a half just sitting in a hotel. This is the first time in three years I get to experience a full preseason, and go through the spring of things, and just be with the group. It's definitely a blessing, and definitely feels weird being here for a full preseason, but I'm excited.”

— Duncan McGuire (WESH 2)

“We're talking about individuals that have a bunch of things they need to do in order to get to the first level and Duncan is another one who came from a long injury and now he had a full preseason. We have to be patient because that position especially needs a lot of coordination with the other players cause in that position you have to be sharp in front of the goal.”

— Oscar Pareja, Head Coach (WESH 2)

What’s next

Whether McGuire starts against the Red Bulls in the season opener this weekend is unclear, but a successful preseason could help him cement his role as the team's primary striker.

The takeaway

After two injury-plagued seasons, Duncan McGuire is hoping that a full, uninterrupted preseason will help him regain his goal-scoring touch and solidify his place as Orlando City's starting striker in 2026. The team will need his production up front to improve on their finishing in the final third.