Orlando City will protect designated players Nani and Mauricio Pereyra along with starting goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and leading scorer Chris Mueller in the 2020 MLS expansion draft on Tuesday.
Orlando City was allowed to protect 12 players on the roster from selection in the draft by new side Austin FC. The Lions used five slots to protect the starting backline from 2020 — Gallese, Robin Jansson, Antonio Carlos, Ruan and João Moutinho — along with defender Rodrigo Schlegel, who became a fan favorite after making the game-winning save in the team’s first playoff match.
The Lions also protected key midfielders Sebas Méndez, Júnior Urso and Andrés Perea, who helped the Lions create a dominant attacking presence throughout the 2020 season.