For weeks, Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja has been struggling with a simple yet difficult objective — getting his top players onto the pitch at the same time.
It hasn’t been easy for the Lions. First keeper Pedro Gallese and defensive midfielder Sebas Méndez went out for a month of international duty for the Copa América; then Daryl Dike went out for a monthlong stint with the U.S. men’s national team.
Three of the team’s four defenders were out with injuries for two weeks. Top players like Chris Mueller have been playing through knocks, managing minutes to keep from deepening their absences.