Orlando City are in a great spot this year, and now they’ve given fans more reasons for optimism. The MLS outfit announced Wednesday that Júnior Urso is coming back for the 2023 MLS season after a short stint at Coritiba. The 34-year-old left the American team at the end of 2022 as he needed to return home for personal reasons, but now he’s ready to run things back with The Lions.
“I am very happy to be back. The time I spent away was a difficult time for me. I left the Club, but I didn’t want to leave, I needed to leave, but today I am happy to be back. I am so thankful to the Club for welcoming me back and for giving me this new opportunity to be here with you all. Orlando makes me very happy, happy to be here with the fans and with my teammates and I hope we do great things together. We are after another trophy which is what this Club and community deserves,” the Brazilian said, via the team’s official website.
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Júnior Urso made great memories in Orlando
Urso will be looking to pick up where he left off in Orlando. The veteran midfielder made 100 appearances for the Florida franchise during his three-year stint, in which he also produced 14 goals and 12 assists. His best season came in 2022, when he found the net on six occasions while providing eight assists.
“We’re so excited to sign Júnior again and be able to bring him back to the Club. We’re gearing up for our push to playoffs this year and we already know the depth of experience that he can add to this group. Júnior meant so much to the entire Club during his first stint with us and we’re happy to welcome him back home to Orlando,” Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations and GM Luiz Muzzi said in a statement.
Welcome Back. 🐻#OrlandoCity signs midfielder Júnior Urso through the end of the 2023 season.
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 19, 2023
Orlando City are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 37 points, so they are on pace to make the playoffs. With Urso on board, the team not only has a boost in the midfield but also adds an experienced player who knows what its like to don this uniform.
