As Orlando City enters the final weeks of the preseason, coach Oscar Pareja is focused on preparing homegrown talents to undertake higher responsibilities in 2021.
Orlando City added three homegrown players to the roster in 2020 — Jordan Bender, Michael Halliday and David Loera — as part of an increased focus on youth development under Pareja and executive vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi. But winger Benji Michel was the only homegrown player to see meaningful time on the pitch.
The 2021 season is packed with MLS matches and international action that could call away major stars such as Michel, Pedro Gallese, Sebas Méndez and Andrés Perea.