Orlando City SC has continues to make its roster younger with its final moves of 2018. After signing a 21-year-old midfielder from Ecuador and acquiring a 21-year-old defender on loan from Real Salt Lake, the Lions have added another 21-year-old.
On Sunday, the Lions announced the signing of goal-scorer Benji Michel. Michel is a product of the Orlando City developmental academy and most recently played the last three seasons for the University of Portland. He is City’s fifth homegrown player in club history.
“We are very excited with the addition of Benji,” new Lions Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said, per the release. “Central Florida is one of the top areas in the country in talent, and we as a club need to focus on grooming players like him to make sure they have a pathway in their professional careers.
“Benji is an exciting player. We could not be any happier to have him come back home.”
A graduate from Montverde Academy, Michel played his collegiate career with the Pilots. In his freshman season, the 21-year-old was named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and earned All-WCC First Team honors three times. Michel was also named an All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, the first Pilot since 2002 to garner the honor.
In total, Michel scored 31 goals in 53 appearances, recording a double-digit total in goals each season. He’s coming off a 2018 season in which he led the Pilots with 11 scores.
The Lions will look to add more young talent through the 2019 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Jan. 11. City have seven picks: No. 3, No. 27, No. 38, No. 59, No. 75, No. 94 and No. 96.
For more on the Lions, as they prepare a roster for the 2019 season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
