Mauricio Pereyra

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Orlando City SC has signed Designated Player Mauricio Pereyra to a new contract, it was announced today, returning to the side on a one-year deal. Pereyra, 31, appeared in 30 matches for the Lions this past season, tying the single-season Club-record for assists with 11 across all competitions, joining former City captain Luis Nani who did the same in 2019.

Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra just completed his third season in Major League Soccer, and was again an influential presence for Orlando City. The Lions signed Pereyra as a Designated Player on July 30, 2019 on a free transfer from Russian top flight side FC Krasnodar, but nagging injuries limited his playing time for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Orlando City announced today that Uruguayan midfielder Mauricio Pereyra has signed a new one-year contract to remain a Lion for the 2022 season. The 31-year-old remains on a Designated Player-level salary, but the club has the flexibility to either use a DP slot or pay down his salary with Targeted Allocation Money to avoid using a slot. That decision isn’t due until final rosters are turned in to the league ahead of the 2022 season.

Orlando City has been getting good performances out of its key players much of 2021. Nani is on the cusp of the MVP conversation, Antonio Carlos is a frontrunner for Defender of the Year, and even Chris Mueller’s slight down season sees him at a healthy 0.75 combined goals and assists per 90 minutes. Of Orlando’s core group of players, one has noticeably regressed; Mauricio Pereyra.

MLS Orlando City SC | WOODWORK: Mauricio Pereyra, Orlando City SC - 94th minute.

Mauricio Pereyra has become known to Orlando City fans as “El Maestro” for his incisive and creative playmaking, establishing himself as one of MLS’ best No. 10s. On Sunday night, Pereyra got to remind everyone that he can score, too. Pereyra’s cool and collected finish was enough for Orlando City...