2022 Orlando City Player Review: Junior Urso

For the next week, I'll be recapping each Orlando City player's season for all player who played at least 100 MLS minutes per FBRef in 2022, starting from the least used player to the most used.

Up next is lovable Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso.

Junior Urso quietly had a phenomenal season for Orlando City. The 33-year-old Brazilian played several different roles for the Lions, filling in across the midfield as needed. At times he played as a No. 10, No. 8 and even as a winger.

Urso played the third-most minutes of anybody in the squad with 2,559 in league play, while also appearing six times in the US Open Cup. The Bear was one of Orlando's most productive attacking players all season, scoring six goals and adding five assists in all competitions.

The veteran midfielder always made hard runs into the final third and made himself a weapon in and around the box. While not a traditional creative midfielder, he did produce as an offensive midfield with those goal-scoring instincts.

Urso also served as a reliable defensive presence, especially as a presser. He's not a defensive midfielder, but he always worked hard in that phase of the game and tried to make Orlando City a difficult team to play through.

As one of the most senior players in the dressing room, Urso stepped up as a leader for Orlando City. He occasionally donned the captain's arm band and brought endless energy and fire to the pitch. He also endeared himself to the fans with expressive celebrations and immense passion.

It's unclear how much longer Urso is under contract for, and given his age, his time in Orlando is likely coming to a close sooner rather than later. But whenever the Bear moves on, he'll always be remembered fondly as one of the foundational pieces that helped transition the club from a cellar dweller to trophy chaser.