Orlando City SC has all the challenges before them to assemble their competitive 2025 squad.
Two major challenges stand before Orlando City SC as they assemble a winning squad for 2025. Neither of those is next year’s schedule.
They can work through the schedule now that it’s set and consider how to navigate it. That’s the same job every year.
Everyone’s been discussing the first of their two major challenges. That’s the departure of striker Facundo Torres. He was under contract to Orlando. So joining Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras in Brazil prompted a record transfer fee for the club.
Orlando City didn’t confirm the amount of that fee, or the potential add-ons, in their official announcement.
Among many contributions to the Lions, Torres leaves as the all-time career scorer with 47 goals.
The second major challenge is that Orlando City won’t have forward Duncan McGuire for the first months of the 2025 season, which begins late Feb. 22 with a match hosting the Philadelphia Union.
This month McGuire underwent successful arthroscopic surgery for a labral and rotator cuff repair in his right shoulder. The recovery is expected to take 4-5 months, meaning he could be worked back into lineups in May 2025.
McGuire is a strong contributor to the Lions. He’s started 43 matches in 74 appearances across all competitions in two seasons. He’s scored 26 goals plus six assists in that period. He was selected sixth overall in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.
Orlando City coaches, scouts, and executives are quiet in developing strategy. So when supporters don’t hear anything, that means they’re working on it. They’re considering what formations may complement the strength of players now on the roster.
Then, with formations that could prove stronger, what players could they acquire?
Meanwhile, the business of the offseason is to continue scouting possible transfers while watching the training of players now on their roster, and watching Duncan McGuire’s physical therapy.
Orlando City SC has a lot to do.