By this point, Kyle Smith is a familiar face to Orlando City fans. The 29-year-old joined the Lions before the 2019 season and has made 42 regular-season appearances while also playing in both of the team’s playoff games last year. After a couple of seasons of slotting in as a substitute for injured players or to spell a starter, he has stepped his game up in 2021.
For someone who played in 23 games in 2019 with 15 of those being starts, Smith flew a little under the radar his first year in Orlando. He was a solid backup who ended up being thrust into a starting role as Joao Moutinho and Ruan struggled with fitness.