Orlando City Looks to Bounce Back After Disappointing 2025 Season

Coach Oscar Pareja remains, but the Lions have a revamped roster with young emerging talent.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Orlando City made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 but crashed out in the wild card game last season. Now, the Lions enter 2026 with win-or-bust expectations and a roster overhaul, having spent close to $10 million on new signings, all but one under 25 years old. Gone are key players like Pedro Gallese, Luis Muriel, Cesar Araujo and Alex Freeman, replaced by young talent like Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and center-back Iago from Flamengo. Coach Oscar Pareja faces pressure to turn things around quickly with tough early matches against the Red Bulls and Inter Miami.

Why it matters

Orlando City had high hopes entering the 2025 season after their first-ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance, but a disappointing early playoff exit has put coach Oscar Pareja on the hot seat. The team's offseason roster overhaul, focused on young talent, will be tested early as they try to bounce back and compete with the top teams in MLS.

The details

Orlando City has spent close to $10 million on new signings, with all but one under the age of 25. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, a Canadian international, joins from Portland to anchor the backline, while 20-year-old center-back Iago arrives from Flamengo. The Lions will also be relying on the return of midfielder Wilder Cartagena, who missed all of 2025 due to injury. Coach Pareja has been experimenting with the lineup, including trying Ivan Angulo at right-back, but the positional battles will continue as the season gets underway.

  • Orlando City made it to their first Eastern Conference Final in 2024.
  • The Lions lost 3-1 to the Chicago Fire in a wild card game in the 2025 playoffs.
  • Orlando enters the 2026 season with high expectations and a revamped roster.

The players

Oscar Pareja

The head coach of Orlando City, who remains with the team despite their disappointing 2025 season.

Maxime Crépeau

A 31-year-old Canadian international goalkeeper who joins Orlando City as a free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Portland Timbers.

Iago

A 20-year-old center-back who joins Orlando City from Flamengo in Brazil.

Wilder Cartagena

A midfielder who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury but is now returning to the Orlando City lineup.

Martin Ojeda

A breakout star for Orlando City in 2025 who will be expected to continue his strong play in the No. 10 role.

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The takeaway

Orlando City's offseason roster overhaul, focused on young talent, will be put to the test early as they try to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and compete with the top teams in MLS. The pressure is on coach Oscar Pareja to quickly integrate the new players and get the team back on track.