In the scorching heat of central Florida, where the air hangs heavy with humidity, the subtle signs of fall creeping in can be missed by the untrained eye. But for Oscar Pareja’s Orlando City, the change of seasons is as clear as day.
Pareja’s side faced a conundrum with their attacking options, trying to figure out how to blend the talents of Facundo Torres, Iván Angulo, and Martín Ojeda in the front three of the manager’s preferred 4-2-3-1 setup. The midfield pairing of César Araújo and Wilder Cartagena, whom Pareja fondly referred to as “those two soldiers that I have in the middle,” along with center backs Robin Jansson and Rodrigo Schlegel, was seen as the backbone for Orlando City’s ambitions.
Questions arose about the integration of veteran Nico Lodeiro, who arrived as a free-agent signing, into the squad. The team struggled to find answers during the spring season, with key players like Muriel and Torres failing to deliver on expectations. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s form dipped, leading to some soft goals being conceded.
However, a turning point came when rising star McGuire was called up to the US men’s Olympic team. This setback paved the way for Enrique to seize the starting striker role, scoring in six consecutive matches during the scorching midsummer period. Ojeda found his rhythm alongside Torres, and Lodeiro proved to be a valuable impact player off the bench.
As Pareja and his men navigated the challenges of lineup changes and tactical adjustments, the pieces began to fall into place. Orlando City’s journey through the sweaty summer days of central Florida was a testament to their resilience and determination to reach greater heights in the soccer landscape.
