O-Town's 11
Fansided

Goalkeeper Juan Rojas gets closer to look on the Orlando City SC pitch

• MLS NEXT player closing in on Orlando City Next
• Netminder becoming a clean sheet magnet
• Ready to come off the Orlando City B bench

ByChuck Wharton|
Apr 2, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Orlando City B and Inter Miami II at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Apr 2, 2024; Bradenton, FL, USA; Orlando City B and Inter Miami II at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The 2025 roster of Orlando City SC is about set. So it’s time to pick the next player to get a strong look during the season.

Each season some Orlando City B players get called up to Orlando City SC on short-term contracts. Some of those called up last season are now on the first team roster training for the opening of the 2025 MLS season.

There is one not yet called up that you’ll hear about during the season. That is goalkeeper Juan Rojas. He appeared in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro-All-Star game with fellow youth player Colin Guske.

Midfielder Guske has a spot on the 2025 first team roster already.

 Rojas worked his way through the Orlando City system like Guske did.

He was featured in the Academy’s U-15 squad 25 times with 17 starts. He conceded only 13 goals with seven clean sheets.

The Orlando City Academy system amplifies the abilities of players. Juan Rojas is no exception.

He’ll next have to make a regular showing on the pitch for Orlando City B, as Guske did. He’s gotten plenty of hours training with the squad. He is close to minding the net for one of their competitive matches. If he’s as strong as he’s shown some of the scouts. He’s also close to a short-term contract look with the first team.

That’s how Guske got his shot.

While playing with MLS NEXT Pro, he’s among 16,000 other players representing 151 clubs. This elite player development platform is expanding to include even more competition, which will deepen the pool of players and coaches while increasing the number of clubs.

In the expanded tier of competition, MLS NEXT clubs will participate in one of eight regional tournaments. These will serve as qualifiers for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup championship.

This will also be where Orlando City SC scouts will gather to confirm how ready players like goalkeeper Juan Rojas are. They’ll also be identifying needed talent along with college and national teams.