March 21, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Orlando City B News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – Ahead of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, Orlando City B has announced its roster for the coming season. As it did a year ago, the roster contains a mix of players signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts, as well as members of the Orlando City Academy.
“It’s an exciting time with another MLS NEXT Pro season approaching,” Orlando City SC Assistant General Manager and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira said. “Orlando City B is a critical piece of our Club’s development pathway, and we look forward to seeing the growth of our young players throughout the upcoming season.”
A total of 10 new prospects join Head Coach Martín Perelman’s side for the 2023 season, highlighted by the additions of midfielders Juninho from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama and Franco Pérez from Rentistas out of Uruguay. Juninho, 22, appeared 70 times across all competitions for Vasco, scoring one goal and adding an assist in that span. For Rentistas, Pérez tallied 94 appearances in all competitions, finding the back of the net six times and recording six assists. Both have been acquired by the Lions on loan with an option to buy.
Forward Eduardo Acuna and midfielder Cristian Medina are set to join OCB for the coming season pending work authorization.
Returning to the Lions are nine players from last year’s roster, including goalkeeper Javier Otero, who finished the 2022 campaign as the league-leader in saves with 100. Joining Otero back on OCB is 2022 MLS NEXT All-Star Alejandro Granados, who competed for the side a year ago as an Academy player and has since signed an MLS NEXT Pro contract, taking his next step along the Club’s development pyramid.
In addition to members of the Academy and those signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts, First Team players of Orlando City SC in Major League Soccer are eligible to be loaned to the MLS NEXT Pro side throughout the year.
Orlando City B kicks off its 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season on Sunday, March 26, traveling to face Philadelphia Union II at Subaru Park. The following week will see the Lions return to Osceola County Stadium for their home opener, hosting expansion club Huntsville City FC on Friday, March 31 in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff.
The full Orlando City B schedule can be found here.
Jersey # Name Position Contract
70 Dominic Pereira GK Academy
50 Javier Otero GK MLS NEXT Pro
63 Dominic Bell D Academy
74 Fernando Sanchez D Academy
46 Franco Perez D MLS NEXT Pro
47 Ian…
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