By announcing on Tuesday that Oscar Pareja has inked a new two-year contract that will last through the 2025 MLS season, Orlando City SC has put an end to their head coach uncertainty.
After the 2023 season, when the Lions set a club record with 63 points (18W-7L-9D) and finished second in the league overall, Pareja’s contract expired. The team lost to the eventual league winners, the Columbus Crew, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Chairman Mark Wilf stated in a statement, “Oscar has been integral to what we are building, and his leadership and dedication to winning championships has set an example for everyone at our club.”
“Oscar takes great pride in representing Orlando City SC and has established a culture that embodies everything our organization is about and a team of which our fans can be proud. The positive relationships and respect Oscar creates with his players have built a critical foundation for success. We are excited to have Oscar continue to lead us into the future.”
Steady hand
Pareja has guided Orlando to four consecutive Audi MLS Cup Playoff appearances and two consecutive Concacaf Champions Cup appearances since taking over as head coach prior to the 2020 campaign. Additionally, he helped Orlando win their first US Open Cup in the MLS history in 2022.
Pareja has previously served as head coach of the Liga MX team Club Tijuana as well as the Colorado Rapids(2012–14) and FC Dallas(2014–18). Over the course of his nearly two-decade playing career, Pareja, now 55, earned 11 caps for his native Colombia.
“I first want to say how grateful I am to the Wilf family and the whole ownership group for the support that they’ve given us and allowing us to create the culture here that we have built these last few years,” Pareja said in a statement. “The support that the fans have shown us has been incredible through everything and, along with everyone working at the club, they’ve made me feel like this is home.
“We know that there are things left that we want to achieve here in Orlando and I feel like we can accomplish those objectives,” Pareja said. “I’m excited to stay here in Orlando and for what’s to come.”
Bright future
Orlando will be able to use an open Designated Player spot in 2024 in addition to attacking midfielders Martín Ojeda and Facundo Torres. They have one of the best rosters in the league, which includes goalie Pedro Gallese, center back Robin Jansson, midfielder César Araújo, attacker Duncan McGuire, and more.
The Lions’ first competitive match is scheduled for February 21, when they play Cavalry FC of the Canadian Premier League in Round One of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
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