As first reported Friday by Eli Lesser on Instagram and was later confirmed by ProSoccerUSA.com, Orlando City has officially made its fifth Homegrown Player signing of the club’s MLS era in forward Benji Michel out of the University of Portland. Given Orlando’s need to bolster the attack, this is a strong move from the club, although it may take Michel some time to adjust to the professional game. He’s been a standout at every step of his career so far.
The 21-year-old Orlando native spent 2013 through 2016 playing for Orlando City’s U-17/18 academy team and attended Montverde Academy before heading to the University of Portland to play college soccer.