Orlando City enter the 2026 campaign in the midst of a dramatic mid-season transformation. A disappointing first half of the season, which included the departure of longtime head coach Oscar Pareja after six seasons, left the Lions languishing in the Eastern Conference standings with a league-high 44 goals conceded in their opening 15 matches. The response from the front office was emphatic: the signing of World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann as a Designated Player, alongside the return of forward Daryl Dike and the acquisition of Brazilian left-back Vinícius Nogueira. With interim head coach Martín Perelman at the helm, Orlando are fighting to extend the longest active postseason streak in MLS to seven consecutive seasons. This is the definitive guide to the current Orlando City squad.
Technical Leadership & Coaching Profile
Manager: Martín Perelman (Interim)
Tactical Philosophy: Following Oscar Pareja’s departure, Perelman has been tasked with stabilising a squad that has struggled defensively while integrating a marquee attacking signing. The early evidence suggests a pragmatic approach, with Perelman making five changes to his starting lineup from the previous match in the recent defeat to Philadelphia. The tactical structure has fluctuated between a 4-2-3-1 and variations of a back three as the coaching staff searches for a configuration that protects a leaky defence while maximising the attacking talents of Griezmann, Ojeda, and Angulo.
Preferred Formations: 4-2-3-1, with the capacity to shift to a 3-5-2 or 5-3-2 depending on opponent and game state.
Strategic Transfer Activity
Orlando City’s 2026 season has been defined by two seismic mid-season signings. The most significant is Antoine Griezmann, the 2018 World Cup winner and Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer, who joined as a Designated Player on a contract through the 2027-28 season with an option for 2028-29. The Frenchman’s arrival was the culmination of a months-long recruitment drive, with sporting director Ricardo Moreira personally visiting Griezmann’s home in Madrid to pitch the club. Daryl Dike also returned to his first professional club after five seasons with West Bromwich Albion, bringing a powerful physical presence to the forward line.
Table A: Summer Major Transfer Influx
| Player | Position | Former Club | Fee Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antoine Griezmann | Forward | Atlético Madrid | Free |
| Daryl Dike | Forward | West Bromwich Albion | Undisclosed |
| Vinícius Nogueira | Left-Back | Ludogorets | Loan |
| Harvey Sarajian | Forward | Wake Forest | SuperDraft |
| Tristan Himes | Goalkeeper | Orlando City B | Homegrown |
| Clovis Archange | Defender | Orlando City B | Homegrown |
Vinícius Nogueira joined on loan from Bulgarian side Ludogorets on August 27, adding a versatile left-back option through the end of the MLS Sprint Season. A product of the Palmeiras academy, Nogueira made his Orlando debut as a second-half substitute against Philadelphia. Harvey Sarajian signed a first-team contract after being selected with the fifth overall pick in the SuperDraft. The homegrown signings of Tristan Himes and Clovis Archange reflect the club’s continued investment in its academy pathway.
The First-Team Roster
Goalkeepers
Maxime Crépeau (#): The Canadian international is the first-choice goalkeeper, earning $600,000 in guaranteed compensation. His shot-stopping has been tested severely behind a defence that has conceded at an alarming rate, and the Philadelphia defeat exposed the structural issues in front of him.
Javier Otero (#): The homegrown goalkeeper provides cover and represents the academy’s development pipeline. He is under contract through 2026 with club options through 2028.
Tristan Himes (#): The 22-year-old signed a first-team contract as a homegrown player after impressing with Orlando City B, where he made 34 saves across 11 appearances. Standing 6-foot-6, his physical profile offers a different dimension between the posts.
Defenders
David Brekalo (#): The Slovenian international is a key defensive figure, earning $683,000. His absence on international duty coincided with the Philadelphia defeat, underscoring his importance to the back line.
Adrián Marín (#): The Spanish left-back earns $577,972 and provides experience and delivery from wide areas.
Robin Jansson (#): The Swedish centre-back returned on a supplemental roster deal worth $530,000 after his contract option was initially declined. His leadership and experience are invaluable for a young defensive unit.
Rodrigo Schlegel (#): The Argentine defender remains under contract and provides reliable cover across the back line.
Alex Freeman (#): The right-back had his contract option exercised and has developed into a reliable outlet on the flank.
Griffin Dorsey (#): The defender earns $767,891 and offers versatility across the back line, though he missed the Philadelphia match through injury.
Vinícius Nogueira (#): The Brazilian left-back arrived on loan from Ludogorets and made his debut against Philadelphia. His integration is expected to accelerate as he adapts to MLS.
Tahir Reid-Brown (#): The young defender earns $139,508 and represents the club’s investment in homegrown talent.
Zakaria Taifi (#): The 20-year-old defender earns $99,923 and has featured in the first-team squad.
Clovis Archange (#): The 17-year-old signed a homegrown contract through 2027 with club options for 2028 and 2029. He has made six appearances for Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro.
Midfielders
Eduard Atuesta (#): The Colombian midfielder earns $825,250 and is a key figure in the engine room. His foul conceded a penalty against Philadelphia, a moment that encapsulated a difficult night for the squad.
Braian Ojeda (#): The Paraguayan Designated Player earns $910,500 and provides technical quality and ball-winning ability. He missed the Philadelphia match through a foot injury.
Wilder Cartagena (#): The Peruvian international signed a new contract through 2026 with a club option for 2027. His absence on international duty deprived Orlando of a key midfield presence in Philadelphia.
Martín Ojeda (#): The Argentine Designated Player is Orlando’s highest-paid player at $1,778,200 and the club’s talisman. His goal against Philadelphia was his team-leading 14th across all competitions in 2026 and his 47th all-time, tying Facundo Torres for the club scoring record. His three assists are also closing in on Mauricio Pereyra’s club record of 47.
Joran Gerbet (#): The French midfielder earns $113,400 and provides depth in central areas.
Colin Guske (#): The homegrown midfielder earns $98,830 and represents the academy pathway.
Gustavo Caraballo (#): The homegrown midfielder earns $94,400 and is under contract through 2027.
Justin Hylton (#): The 18-year-old signed a short-term agreement with the first team after making 18 starts in 33 appearances for Orlando City B, recording four goals and four assists.
Forwards
Antoine Griezmann (#7): The marquee signing and the focal point of Orlando’s attack. The 2018 World Cup winner joined from Atlético Madrid in July 2026 on a contract reportedly worth approximately €10 million per season. His impact has been immediate: 12 goal contributions in his first 11 games, including four assists. Griezmann’s free-kick delivery created Iván Angulo’s goal against Philadelphia, demonstrating his enduring quality even in defeat.
Marco Pašalić (#): The Croatian forward earns $1,650,667 and has been a productive attacking outlet. He missed the Philadelphia match on international duty.
Iván Angulo (#): The Colombian winger earns $582,656 and has scored in four consecutive MLS matches, a career-best run. His goal against Philadelphia, assisted by Griezmann, was his fifth of the season across all competitions. His versatility across both flanks and even at full-back makes him invaluable.
Duncan McGuire (#): The American forward earns $921,000 and provides a physical presence through the middle. His development has been one of the club’s success stories.
Daryl Dike (#): The 26-year-old returned to Orlando after five seasons with West Bromwich Albion, where he scored 43 goals and provided nine assists across 138 professional appearances. His first spell with the Lions yielded 19 goals and seven assists in 41 appearances. His physicality and hold-up play offer a different dimension to Orlando’s attack.
Luis Muriel (#): The Colombian forward remains under contract and provides experience and technical quality in the attacking third.
Tyrese Spicer (#): The Trinidad & Tobago international missed the Philadelphia match on international duty.
Justin Ellis (#): The young forward earned his first senior U.S. Men’s National Team call-up and scored in his debut, a 4-1 friendly victory over Peru. His absence was keenly felt in Philadelphia.
Harvey Sarajian (#): The SuperDraft pick recorded his second assist of the campaign against Philadelphia, setting up Ojeda’s late goal.
Leadership Group & Squad Regulations
Club Captain: The captaincy has been shared in recent weeks, with Martín Ojeda wearing the armband in the early season and Robin Jansson assuming the role in later matches. Ojeda’s status as the club’s highest-paid player and all-time joint-top scorer makes him a natural leader, while Jansson’s experience and return on a supplemental deal provide a veteran voice in the dressing room.
The Leadership Committee: Antoine Griezmann, despite his recent arrival, has embraced the responsibility of being a Designated Player. “It’s an honor for me,” he said. “Ricardo and Mark made a big effort to bring me here, so it’s an honor to carry that responsibility. I’ll give 1,000% for this team and these colors.” His professionalism and World Cup-winning pedigree have already made an impression on younger teammates, including Vinícius Nogueira, who described leaning on the Frenchman during his transition.
Homegrown Quota Check: Orlando City have invested heavily in their academy pathway, with Javier Otero, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Tahir Reid-Brown, Zakaria Taifi, Justin Ellis, Tristan Himes, and Clovis Archange all signed as homegrown players. This commitment to internal development is central to the club’s roster-building philosophy.
Financial & Contractual Health
Financial Balance Overview: Orlando City’s total cap allocation of $12,672,063 ranks 27th in MLS, and their senior roster spend of $11,283,286 ranks 26th. The club operates with one of the lower payrolls in the league, yet the mid-season additions of Griezmann and Dike represent a significant investment in the squad’s competitiveness. Griezmann’s reported salary of approximately €10 million per season makes him the club’s highest-paid player by a considerable margin.
Contract Red Alerts: Several key players are entering the final years of their contracts. Wilder Cartagena is signed through 2026 with a club option for 2027. Robin Jansson returned on a supplemental deal worth $530,000, and his long-term future will depend on his performances. The club’s ability to retain Griezmann beyond his initial two-year deal will depend on his satisfaction with the project and Orlando’s competitiveness.
The Academy Pipeline & Loan Tracker
Breakout Talents to Watch: Justin Hylton, an 18-year-old midfielder, signed a short-term agreement with the first team after impressing for Orlando City B with four goals and four assists. Tristan Himes and Clovis Archange represent the next wave of homegrown talent, with Himes bringing a 6-foot-6 frame to the goalkeeper position and Archange a promising defensive profile.
Notable Out on Loan: Specific loan departures are not detailed in available information, but the club’s partnership with Orlando City B in MLS NEXT Pro serves as a development pipeline for young players.
Set-Piece Specialists & FPL Cheat Sheet
Penalties: Martín Ojeda (First Choice). Ojeda has converted penalties this season and is the designated taker.
Direct Free-Kicks: Antoine Griezmann / Martín Ojeda. Griezmann’s free-kick delivery created Angulo’s goal against Philadelphia, demonstrating his set-piece quality.
Corners & Crosses: Antoine Griezmann and Martín Ojeda are the primary deliverers, with Iván Angulo offering an alternative from wide areas.
For Fantasy MLS managers, Martín Ojeda remains the most reliable Orlando asset, combining goalscoring output with penalty duties and set-piece involvement. He is one goal away from tying Facundo Torres’ club record of 47 career goals. Antoine Griezmann’s 12 goal contributions in 11 games make him a premium differential, and his free-kick delivery adds another avenue for points. Iván Angulo’s four-match scoring streak makes him a value option in midfield.
Final Outlook: Navigating the Tactical Horizon
Orlando City enter the final stretch of the 2026 season in a precarious position. Seventh in the Eastern Conference with 34 points from 27 matches, the Lions are only one point ahead of three teams — Red Bull New York, New York City FC, and FC Cincinnati — in the race for the playoffs. The defensive record remains a significant concern: 64 goals conceded in 27 matches is the worst in the conference, and the 4-2 defeat to Philadelphia exposed the structural vulnerabilities that have plagued the season.
The attacking potential, however, is genuine. Griezmann’s arrival has transformed the forward line, and his partnership with Ojeda and Angulo is producing goals even in defeat. Dike’s return adds a physical dimension that was lacking, and the emergence of Justin Ellis as a U.S. international offers hope for the future.
The primary challenge is defensive solidity. Brekalo’s return from international duty will help, as will the integration of Nogueira at left-back. Perelman’s ability to organise a back line that has conceded at a rate of 2.37 goals per game will determine whether Orlando extend their postseason streak or fall short for the first time in seven seasons.
The margin between playoff qualification and elimination is fine, and Orlando are on the edge. If Griezmann maintains his form, if Ojeda breaks the club scoring record, and if the defence can find some semblance of stability, the Lions have the attacking quality to secure a playoff berth. The foundation is shaky, but the firepower is undeniable.
