As first reported Friday by Eli Lesser on Instagram, Orlando City is set to make its fourth Homegrown Player signing of the club’s MLS era when it signs forward Benji Michel out of the University of Portland.
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. While in Orlando, he scored 25 goals for development academy and also played club locally for Florida Rush and FC America.
Michel was the leading goal scorer at Montverde Academy, where he helped lead SIMA during its 136-game unbeaten streak.