Orlando City SC continues to erase most remnants of last season’s roster.
The Lions’ most recent expulsion came on Tuesday, as the club announced it waived forward Stéfano Pinho after he played just one season with the club.
ProSoccerUSA.com’s Jordan Culver first reported Pinho’s release on Jan. 16.
A club source confirmed striker Stéfano Pinho has been waived by Orlando City. Story: https://t.co/ncHXw1oVll pic.twitter.com/1cPP79K7bj
— Jordan Culver (@JordanCulver) January 16, 2019
“Stéfano is a good player who was able to transition well to [Major League Soccer] during his first season in the league last year, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Lions Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi said, per the release. “For us, this decision opens an important position in our roster and gives us some added flexibility.
Pinho was a decorated North American Soccer League player, winning NASL Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards for Miami FC. He played in 23 matches for the Lions, starting five and scoring two goals. The 28-year-old scored his first MLS goal, a stoppage-time equalizer, in the 2018 season-opening draw with D.C. United.
The Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, native became known to City fans in the 2017 season. In the U.S. Open Cup that season, Pinho sent the Lions home in their first round of the tournament, as he tallied a hat trick by the 55th minute.
Orlando City are currently in Bradenton for the first week of preseason. The Lions will start the 2019 season on March 2 in a home match against New York City FC.
For more on City, as they prepare for their first preseason action on Feb. 2 against the New York Red Bulls, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
