Orlando City Parts Ways With Coach Óscar Pareja
Orlando City has decided to part ways with coach Óscar Pareja just three games into the season.
After seven years at the helm, Pareja leaves the club with an overall record of 103-66-72.
“While it is the right time for both me and the Club to move in new directions, I leave proud of the work we did and with deep appreciation for the people who made it possible,” Pareja said, according to Orlando City SC. “Orlando will always have a special place in my heart, and I wish the team nothing but success in the future.”
Pareja previously served as head coach of the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas and Tijuana in Liga MX before joining Orlando in 2019 ahead of the 2020 season. In his first season, he led Orlando to its first MLS playoffs appearance.
The Lions have appeared in the playoffs six consecutive times since 2020 — the longest streak of any club in the MLS.
Pareja also helped Orlando secure its first and only title as an MLS club when the team defeated Sacramento Republic FC 3-0 to win the U.S. Open Cup in 2022.
The decision to part ways was mutually agreed upon, according to the club. The decision comes after Orlando (0-0-3) opened the 2026 season with three consecutive losses.
Most recently, Orlando suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of New York City F.C. on Saturday. The loss resulted in Orlando falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Orlando also suffered two losses at home to Inter Miami CF and Red Bull New York.
Ricardo Moreira, the Orlando City’s general manager and sporting director, said that it was time for Orlando to go in a new direction. In a statement on Wednesday, Moreira commended Pareja on his accomplishments as coach.
“We are grateful for everything Oscar has contributed and wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career,” Moreira said.
Former assistant coach Martín Perelman will take over as interim head coach. Perelman first joined the club as the head coach of Orlando City B in 2022. He led the team to its first MLS NEXT Pro playoffs appearance.
In 2024, he moved up to the senior squad and worked as an assistant coach under Pareja.
Perelman was previously the head coach at Club Comunicaciones in Argentina. This will be his first time in a head coach position in the MLS.
Orlando will look to secure its first win of the season Saturday when it plays CF Montréal at Inter & Co Stadium. Montréal (1-0-2) sits at 10 in the Eastern Conference standings.
Category: MLS, Orlando City SC, Soccer
