In addition to acquiring a host of new players, Orlando City SC has also added to its front-office staff.
On Dec. 18, the Lions announced he hiring of Luiz Muzzi as the club’s executive vice president of soccer operations. The club’s official announcement said Muzzi will oversee Orlando City’s Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League teams, including “the management of all player-related matters, scouting efforts and overall team administration.”
Additionally, Muzzi will influence the strategic direction of the Lions’ development academy and USL League One side Orlando City B.
“Luiz is a great addition for us, and we welcome him to the club,” Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão said, per the release. “He brings a wealth of American soccer knowledge with strong connections in South America to take us to the next levels.
“With this move, Luiz will have full autonomy as the head of soccer operations to make decisions not only related to player scouting and management but also to culture and mentality fitting for his vision of our club.”
Muzzi joins City after spending the past six seasons with FC Dallas in a variety of soccer-operations roles, having responsibilities similar to what he will inherit in Orlando. The 49-year-old developed rosters for the Western Conference side that made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, including two Western Conference semifinals appearances and a Western Conference final appearance in 2015.
Dallas boasted the best regular-season record in 2015 and 2016 and won the club’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup and earned the club’s first-ever MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2016.
“I want to thank FC Dallas for a great tenure with a good group of people who worked by my side for six seasons,” Muzzi said, per the release. “Looking forward, I am very excited for the opportunity Orlando City SC has given me to come to one of the most dynamic and exciting clubs in the league with a fantastic stadium and fan base.
“The opportunity for the growth of soccer in Orlando is only beginning, and I look forward to leading this group in 2019 and beyond.”
Before his time in MLS, Muzzi served as the general manager for then-Miami FC of the North American Soccer League between 2005 and 2010. Muzzi was also a players agent, working primarily in the Latin and North American markets.
Orlando City open their season against New York City FC at home on March 2, 2019.
For more on the Lions, as they prepare for their fifth MLS season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
