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Gustavo Caraballo amps it up for Orlando City SC

• Caraballo progressing at a startling pace
• Youngest to sign and youngest to score
• Proved valuable from earliest match
ByChuck Wharton|
Mar 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Orlando City forward Gustavo Caraballo (65) controls the ball defended by New York City FC forward Agustín Ojeda (26) and midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Mar 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Orlando City forward Gustavo Caraballo (65) controls the ball defended by New York City FC forward Agustín Ojeda (26) and midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images | Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Orlando City SC scouts could have taken the night off when the team headed to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Many of the statistics streaming from the first U.S. Open Cup match of Orlando City SC focused on one player. The Tampa Bay Rowdies also acknowledged some of those statistics, however reluctantly.

Supporters listed the Lions’ 5-0 clean sheet against the Rowdies last. First, they listed what midfielder Gustavo Caraballo did with his opportunity on the pitch. This opportunity came less than a month after he became the youngest player in club history to sign a first-team contract at age 16 years, 198 days.  

In scoring the first goal in his brace against the Rowdies, he then became the youngest to score for the Lions in a match. You didn’t have to find a pro scout with a clipboard or tablet to get the rest. The production was broadcast and shared across social media.

Caraballo played 90 minutes, created two chances, got three touches in the opponents’ box, and scored two goals on three shots.

Head Coach Oscar Pareja credited Caraballo’s pitch-readiness to the Academy coaches. They recognized the talent they’d received and helped him prepare for his moments, which are only beginning with what he showed in the U.S. Open Cup opener.

 Caraballo also recognized the fans who traveled to St. Petersburg for the match. Supporter groups like The Ruckus contracted a bus to travel and tailgate at the game.

Caraballo signed a short-term contract and, from his first opportunity, made a difference in a match. Within two minutes of coming off the bench against Atlanta United FC, he drew a foul from midfielder Bartosz Slisz. Then he converged on winger Miguel Almiron, who was moving on the Orlando net.

He blocked Almiron’s shot, helping preserve a 3-0 rout of Atlanta.

No need to wait to make a difference. Caraballo is starting to do so now.