One player caught Orlando City SC supporters’ eyes during a short-term call-up last season. Another caused a blip on the rumor radar when Orlando City B caught up with him.
Just before the start of the Orlando City SC opening match, two players got short-term contracts making them available to hit the pitch.
Midfielders Colin Guske and Gustavo Caraballo were made available for the match just hours before it started. Scouts have recorded a wealth of data on their abilities in recent years.
Guske worked his way up to the first team from the MLS Academy. The homegrown player started on the B team last year when they clinched the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. He and goalkeeper Juan Rojas made the MLS NEXT Pro All-Star roster.
Guske takes advantage of all his playing opportunities at every level. In 2024, while with Orlando City B, he played more minutes than any other MLS NEXT Pro player born in 2007 – 2,044—and started in 24 of 25 appearances.
3. Gustavo Caraballo
— Youth Soccer Central (@yscentral) December 7, 2024
Bagged a hat trick in the first match against LAFC. Already signed a pro content with Orlando. Unclear if he is eligible for the USYNT pic.twitter.com/5Tum2eQr8c
Gustavo Caraballo became the youngest player to sign a professional MLS contract in club history in 2023 when he signed with Orlando City B at 14 years, 11 months, and 16 days. In the U-15 competition, he won the Golden Boot at the 2023 edition of the Generation Adidas Cup.
He was introduced to the Beautiful Game by one of the best. His dad is Venezuelan National Team midfielder Gustavo Caraballo Sr. He played in the Toyota Libertadores Cup and CONMEBOL Cup.
The left-footed player shows potential as an attacking midfielder for the squad.
Off-roster homegrown players are ineligible for regular-season competition except as short-term call-ups. The players may appear in up to six matches per season.
Caraballo and Guske will get serious looks in drills with the starters with possible work off the bench during matches. So keep watching.