A closed-door match between Orlando City B and North Texas SC on Sept. 3 played out in front of a small audience — scouting director Ricardo Moreira, first-team coach Oscar Pareja and vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi.
It had been a marathon day for the trio, who arrived in Orlando at 3 a.m. after the MLS team’s match in Nashville the night before.
But with four MLS players on the pitch — Mason Stajduhar, Michael Halliday, Jordan Bender and Joey DeZart — the match offered a valuable chance to watch young players in action.
Pareja brought new expectations to the Lions this year.