Orlando City signs Halliday to Homegrown contract
Orlando City signed academy product Michael Halliday on Wednesday, the eighth Homegrown player to earn a spot on the first team.
At 17 years old, Halliday is one of the youngest players to sign an Orlando City first-team contract. He was one of two prospects selected to join the first team in its preseason training camp in Cancún, Mexico.
The young defender grew up in Apopka and started playing for the Lions' U-13 team in 2016. Since then, he moved upward through the program to the U-19 team.
Halliday was initially signed to the Orlando City B roster. However, the coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of the USL League One season, preventing him from playing with the team.
The Homegrown signing is part of the club's ongoing dedication to local youth development spurred by vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi. With the signing of players such as Halliday — and increased investment in the academy program, including the new facility in Osceola County — Muzzi aims to build a future for growth centered around the young talent in Central Florida.
Orlando City now fields five Homegrown players on its firstteam roster — including goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar, midfielders Jordan Bender and David Loera and forward Benji Michel — along with academy product Santiago Patiño.
“Michael is another example of the vision we have for the future of the Orlando City development pyramid, making the journey from the academy to our MLS side,” Muzzi said. “After starting out in our academy and
to head down the ball when it ricocheted off the keeper's glove.
While Mueller continues to star as the team's leading scorer, the presence of Akindele and his fellow attackers will help to round out the Lions into a dynamic attacking presence.
3. Gallese worth the purchase
The Lions' offseason acquisition of Peruvian keeper Pedro Gallese wasn't exactly a head turner. But it might have been one of the most important moves to elevate the club.
The margin between a good goalkeeper and a great one is often hard to track. It doesn't always add up to clean sheets or even wins. Instead, it comes down to the ability to consistently
Team officials confirmed Fultz, meanwhile, first arrived at the team hotel on Tuesday and started his league-mandated quarantine, which requires him to register two negative COVID-19 tests administered at least 24 hours apart.
Fultz could have two weeks to practice with the Magic before modified regular-season play resumes if his initial tests register negative results.
Fultz has had a stellar first season with the Magic, taking over the starting point guard position six games into the 2019-20 season. He has averaged 12 points and five assists in his 64 games.
He joined the Magic via trade near the end of the 2018-19 season. The Magic sent signing with Orlando City B, Michael has been able to train with our first team, including during our time in Mexico this preseason. He has continuously showcased his potential and we are very excited to see him continue to grow as a member of our club.” make an impact save at least once a game to dull opponents' overall scoring ability.
On Tuesday, Gallese made seven saves, at least three of which would have been impossible for most other keepers in MLS. A 77th-minute double save stood out as Gallese scrambled up off his stomach to leap and block a rebound shot.
By the end of the match, Orlando City and New York City FC placed the same number of shots on frame. Three of the Lions' shots hit the net; only one of New York City's got past Gallese.
It took an absolutely perfect shot — a volleyed strike into the side netting — to beat Gallese, who was ultimately the difference between a win and a draw.
forward Jonathan Simmons to Philadelphia in exchange for the 20-year-old Fultz and a second-round selection in the 2019 NBA draft. Fultz, who attended the University of Washington, was selected No. 1 overall by the 76ers during the 2017 NBA draft.
Fultz struggled in Philadelphia as he battled what was diagnosed as a nerve disorder. The painful condition limited his play, and it was difficult to forecast when he might play basketball at full strength again. After joining the Magic and taking time to recover, he has boosted the team with his ball-handling ability.