If you’ve walked past Lake Eola lately, you might have felt a weird energy in the air. It’s not just the humidity. It’s the fact that the Orlando City soccer club roster looks almost nothing like it did a year ago. Seriously. For the first time in what feels like forever, the "Wall" is going to be looking down at a squad that’s undergone a total cosmetic surgery—minus the bandages.
We’re talking about the end of the Pedro Gallese era. We're talking about Luis Muriel heading back to Colombia. Honestly, if you haven’t checked the depth chart since the end of the 2025 season, you’re basically going to need a program and a magnifying glass to figure out who is lining up for the kickoff against Red Bull New York on February 21.
Why the Orlando City Soccer Club Roster is Changing Now
Change is scary, but for Orlando, it was also inevitable. For six straight seasons, Oscar Pareja has dragged this team into the MLS Cup Playoffs. That's a club record. It’s actually a pretty incredible feat of consistency in a league designed to make everyone mediocre. But after a frustrating exit to Chicago Fire FC in the Wild Card game last year, the front office basically decided that "consistent" wasn't enough anymore. They want trophies, not just playoff participation trophies.
The biggest shocker? The departure of "El Pulpo." Pedro Gallese is officially out. After 201 matches and nearly every club record for a goalkeeper, the Peruvian legend is a free agent. It feels wrong to see anyone else between the sticks, but the club moved fast to fill that void.
The New Faces in Purple
So, who's actually here? The big headline of the winter was the signing of Maxime Crépeau. If you follow MLS at all, you know Crépeau is a certified winner. He’s a guy who literally broke his leg winning a cup for LAFC. Bringing him in as a free agent is a massive statement. He’s 31, he’s in his prime, and he’s probably the most vocal leader they’ve had since Nani.
Then there’s the midfield. With César Araújo and Wilder Cartagena’s contracts being a major point of drama, the club didn't wait around. They went out and grabbed Braian Ojeda from Real Salt Lake. They dropped $1.3 million in General Allocation Money (GAM) to get him. That is a lot of fake MLS money.
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Key Arrivals for 2026:
- Maxime Crépeau (GK): Signed through 2027. The new undisputed Number 1.
- Braian Ojeda (M): Acquired from RSL. He’s the engine room now.
- Luis Otávio (M): A U22 Initiative signing from Internacional in Brazil. Total wildcard, but scouts are obsessed with his ceiling.
- Tiago Souza (F): Another U22 grab from Bahia. He’s supposed to be the lightning to Duncan McGuire's thunder.
- Harvey Sarajian (F): The 5th overall pick in the SuperDraft. Don't sleep on this kid; he was a beast at Wake Forest.
The "Tincho" Era is Officially Here
If there was any doubt about who "the man" is in Orlando, the club just put a massive diamond-encrusted stamp on it. Martín Ojeda—affectionately known as "Tincho"—just signed a monster extension through 2028.
Last year, Ojeda was a video game character. 39 goal contributions in all competitions. 20 goals. He tied Facundo Torres’ record and then basically started his own record book. With Luis Muriel transferring to Junior FC in Colombia, the Designated Player (DP) spots are shifting. Right now, it’s the Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić show.
The club still has an open DP spot. That’s the "big gun" everyone is waiting for. Rumors are flying, but until Ricardo Moreira (the Sporting Director) pulls the trigger, the attack goes through Tincho. He’s the one who tied Sebastian Giovinco’s record for consecutive games with a goal contribution. You don't just replace that; you build an entire city around it.
The Defensive Rebuild
It’s not just the flashy guys up front. The backline got hit hard by the "thanks for the memories" bug. Rodrigo Schlegel is gone to Atlas in Liga MX. Dagur Dan Thórhallsson was shipped off to CF Montréal for $500k in GAM. Even Thomas Williams, the homegrown kid, was traded to Nashville for a draft pick.
Robin Jansson is the big question mark. The club actually declined his option originally, which sent fans into a total meltdown. But they’ve been in "active discussions" to bring him back. As of mid-January, he’s training with the team, which is a good sign, but until there’s ink on paper, the defense feels a bit like a house of cards.
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David Brekalo and Adrián Marín are going to have to do some heavy lifting. We’re also seeing a lot of Orlando City B kids getting a look. Guys like Bernardo Rhein and Titus Sandy Jr. are basically fighting for their lives in preseason right now to prove they belong on the senior Orlando City soccer club roster.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Squad
A lot of folks think that losing Gallese and Araújo means Orlando is "rebuilding." That’s a trap.
This isn't a rebuild; it’s a retooling. By moving Muriel and Thórhallsson, they freed up a massive amount of salary cap space and international spots. They are younger, faster, and frankly, a lot more expensive than they used to be. The U22 Initiative signings (Otávio and Souza) mean the club is betting big on South American potential rather than aging European stars. It’s a gamble. If those kids don't adjust to the physicality of MLS, Oscar Pareja is going to be in for a long summer.
2026 Orlando City Roster Snapshot (Current)
The roster is still fluid, but here is what the core looks like heading into the meat of preseason:
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau, Javier Otero, Tahir Reid-Brown.
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Defenders: David Brekalo, Adrián Marín, Alex Freeman, Zakaria Taifi, Robin Jansson (pending official return), Nolan Miller (Draft).
Midfielders: Martín Ojeda (DP), Braian Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Joran Gerbet, Luis Otávio (U22), Wilder Cartagena (returning from injury), Colin Guske.
Forwards: Duncan McGuire, Marco Pašalić (DP), Iván Angulo, Tyrese Spicer, Yutaro Tsukada, Tiago Souza (U22), Harvey Sarajian.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos, here’s what you actually need to do to stay ahead:
- Watch the DP Spot: The club has one open Designated Player slot. History suggests they’ll wait for the summer window, but with Muriel gone, they might surprise everyone in February.
- Track the Jansson Situation: If Robin doesn't sign by the season opener, the center-back depth is terrifyingly thin. Keep an eye on the official transaction wire.
- Follow the "B" Team: Several Orlando City B players are likely to sign short-term agreements early in the season. Watch the preseason friendlies to see who actually gets minutes.
- Download the App: Honestly, the MLS roster rules are so complex that the "Transaction Tracker" on the official site is the only way to know if a player is actually eligible to play or just a "discovery rights" ghost.
The Lions are different this year. Maybe "different" is exactly what this city needs to finally get past the second round of the playoffs. One thing is for sure: it won't be boring.