Jordan Bender Loaned to Charlotte Independence of USL Championship
The young Homegrown Player looks to get some playing time that hasn’t been available in a crowded Orlando City midfield.
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Orlando City SC announced today that midfielder and Homegrown Player Jordan Bender has been loaned to the Charlotte Independence of the USL Championship for the 2021 season. The club retains the right to recall Bender as part of the loan agreement.
“Jordan is a young player that has shown us a lot of potential and that we can see a bright future for in our club,” said Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi in a club press release. “We’re sending him to a club and a coaching staff that we know well, one that is close to us and a place where he’ll get valuable game minutes to further his development. This is a situation that works out well for everyone involved and we’ll be eager
Lion Links: 5/3/21
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Orlando City Continues Youth Investment
Head Coach Óscar Pareja and Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi are continuing to build a top-to-bottom organization in Orlando like they did at FC Dallas. The importance of developing local young players and bringing them up through the ranks to the senior team is crucial to the long-term success of the club. OCSC added Orlando City Soccer School South and Seminole locations to expand its youth network. The Seminole location will be at the Seminole Soccer Complex, near the Orlando Pride’s training facility. The South location will be at Osceola Heritage Park, the current Orlando City training ground, and home to the Lions’ academy system.
Orlando City Signs Forward Derek Dodson
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Orlando City has announced the signing of top 2021 draft pick Derek Dodson to a one-year contract for 2021 with club options for 2022, 2023, and 2024, meaning the former Georgetown star forward is now officially a Lion. The club is adding Dodson to its supplemental roster. “We’re excited to add Derek to the group now after allowing him to return to Georgetown for a majority of his senior season,” said Orlando City SC Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi in a club press release. “A team captain there this year and in 2019, he’s shown himself to be someone that leads from the front, has a great appetite for goal and comes in ready to put in the work for the season ahead.”
Orlando City Signs Draft Pick Rio Hope-Gund
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Orlando City announced today that the club has signed 2021 first-round MLS SuperDraft selection Rio Hope-Gund to a one-year contract with club option years for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Hope-Gund was Orlando’s second pick in the first round (No. 19 overall) in January’s draft just 11 spots below his Georgetown University teammate Derek Dodson. The center back will be added to the team’s Supplemental Roster.
“We’re excited to sign Rio after taking him in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “We decided after the draft that it would be beneficial for him to return to Georgetown for the Hoyas’ spring season and he’s done well there, helping their defense to only allow five goals across their eight games played so far and starting in all of them. He’s a player that w
Orlando City Signs Midfielder Raul Aguilera to Homegrown Player Contract
Academy player becomes club’s 10th Homegrown Player on a one-year contract with three additional option years.
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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC/Mark Thor
Orlando City announced today that the club has signed Orlando City Academy midfielder Raul Aguilera to a one-year contract with club options for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. Aguilera becomes the Lions’ 10th Homegrown Player ever and the second to be inked to a deal this year, joining Wilfredo Rivera, who signed his deal on March 22.
“Raul is a great young player that has been with the club from the very beginning,” Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said in a club press release. “He learned a lot from his time with a top-flight program at the collegiate level and brought that knowledge to our system and continued to work hard. Raul is a player that is incredibly dedicated to this club, has