It's no secret that Óscar Pareja's success at Orlando City has been founded on his trademark midfield double pivot.
But, when one half of that midfield duo was ruled out for a year before the season had even begun, the fundamental core of the team had been torn apart.
Orlando dearly missed Wilder Cartagena in 2025. For all his ball-carrying ability, Eduard Atuesta just couldn't replicate Cartagena's bull-like brawn out of possession. César Araújo, the Peruvian's long-time partner in crime, also struggled as a result, being forced into doing more of the team's dirty work than ever before.