Following the conclusion of its eighth MLS season and third-straight Audi MLS Cup Playoffs appearance, Orlando City SC has announced the end-of-season statuses for each of its players.
“This was another very successful season for us as an organization, winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and qualifying for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the third-consecutive season, and now we’re gearing up to go for even more next season, both in the league and in Concacaf Champions League,” Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said. “As we begin preparing our roster for the opportunities to come next year, we want to thank the players who are departing the Club. Their hard work and dedication has given everyone involved in the organization so much joy and so much to be proud of.”
The Lions enter the 2022-23 offseason with 15 players under guaranteed contracts for the upcoming campaign. That includes forwards Iván Angulo, Gastón González, Ercan Kara, Jake Mulraney, Wilfredo Rivera and Facundo Torres; midfielder César Araújo; defenders Antonio Carlos, Alex Freeman, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Ruan and Thomas Williams; and goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar. Defender Luca Petrasso, recently acquired via trade with Toronto FC, is also guaranteed for 2023.
The Club has exercised its contract options on forward Jack Lynn; midfielders Wilder Cartagena and Andrés Perea; and defenders Michael Halliday and Kyle Smith.
Following three seasons, the Club and midfielder Júnior Urso agreed to mutually terminate the player’s contract as he returns home for personal reasons, as previously announced. Additionally, the Club has declined the contract options on forward Tesho Akindele and midfielder Joey DeZart. Forward Niko Gioacchini was selected by St. Louis CITY FC in the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft.
City has extended Bona Fide Offers to forward Benji Michel and goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, both of whom are out of contract, which will allow the Club to maintain a Right of First Refusal for the players. Forward Alexandre Pato, midfielder Mauricio Pereyra, defender João Moutinho and goalkeeper Adam Grinwis are out of contract. The Club is currently in discussions with Gallese, Grinwis, Michel, Moutinho and Pereyra regarding potential returns in 2023.