March 15, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Orlando City B News Release
ORLANDO, Fla. – Ahead of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, Orlando City B has announced its roster for the coming season as well as the coaching staff that will support first-year Head Coach Manuel Goldberg. As it did the previous two campaigns, the roster contains a mix of players signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts, as well as members of the Orlando City Academy.
“The start of a new season is always exciting with the prospect of what lies ahead and what can be accomplished, and this year is no different,” said Orlando City VP of Soccer Operations Ricardo Moreira. “With what Orlando City B was able to achieve last season, setting new Club records and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in Club history, we’re excited to continue building on last season’s success, continuing to develop quality players and prepare the future of the First Team.”
A total of eight new prospects join Goldberg’s side for the 2024 season, his first in charge of the MLS NEXT Pro club, highlighted by the additions of forward Yeiler Valencia from Once Caldas in Colombia and defender Manuel Cocca previously from SD Tarazona in Spain. Valencia made 15 appearances, scoring one goal for the Colombian first division side in 2023, while Cocca totaled 15 appearances and three assists for the Spanish third tier side. Valencia joins the Lions on a season-long loan with an option for an additional year, with Manuel Cocca signing a one-year contract with OCB, with options in 2025 and 2026.
Returning to the Lions are seven players from last year’s roster that qualified for the Club’s first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs, including midfielders Imanol Almaguer and Jhon Solís. Both midfielders made 28 appearances for OCB last season, with Almaguer scoring one goal and providing three assists and Solís adding two goals and five assists. Solís returns to Orlando following his successful loan spell with the Club from Fortaleza in Colombia, signing a two-year contract with OCB and an option in 2026.
Returning along the back line is defender Nabi Kibunguchy, who appeared 28 times as a center back for the Lions last season, adding four goals to his tally in the campaign and earning his first-ever call-up to the Kenyan National Team for his performances with OCB. Puerto Rican National Team forward Wilfredo Rivera signed a contract with OCB this offseason after his MLS contract with the First Team ceased, keeping him in purple…
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