Orlando City SC players study fix-it list on international duty | OneFootball

Orlando City SC has started on its 2025 fix-it list. Now, three players have been selected for international duty.

Orlando City SC essentially has completed the 2025 fix-it list. The coaches, scouts and players have completed this list of needs earlier than they did last year. If they did as good a job on the 2025 fix-it list as they did in 2024, they should get further in their campaign to win it all in MLS.

The Lions hover at 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference after a mere four games in the season. Yet Head Coach Oscar Pareja and players have already identified they must increase their efficiency on defense.

It’s a bit disruptive that during these developments, three players have had to leave for international duty: goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, defender David Brekalo, and midfielder Colin Guske. Gallese is a regular starter, Brekalo has played in two matches with one start, and Guske hasn’t made any regular-season appearances yet.

Gallese is already booked through March 25, when his Peruvian national Team will face Bolivia and Venezuela in World Cup Qualifiers.

Brekalo will work with his Slovenian team in Nations League matches through March 23. They will face Slovakia in two matches.

Guske joins his United States Youth National Team. He plans to create more strong notes for the Orlando City scouts. That will help earn an appearance with the senior squad when he returns.

This call-up provides great development opportunities for Brekalo and Guske. The concern during the international period is Gallese’s netminding position.

During a Gallese international call-up last season, backup keeper Mason Stajduhar set a club record with 11 saves, then went down for the season a week later with a leg injury. He recovered and has moved to Real Salt Lake. But supporters can’t be blamed for expressing a bit of anxiety during this international period.

Backups on the active roster include Javier Otero and Carlos Mercado.

Players and coaches have emphasized that for Orlando City SC to go far in 2025 is not the responsibility of any specific group of players. It’s not just the burden of the players out briefly for international duty.

They all have to focus on their drills and push what they practiced on the pitch. They must get better every match. They have to win.