Orlando City Starting XI: A look at the Lions starters and bench as they host Red Bull New York on opening day

ORLANDO, Fla. — It's a new year and a new look for Orlando City SC as the Lions get set to start the 2026 season against Red Bull New York.

Four new players grace the first lineup for the Lions this year, including new goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, U22 centerback Iago, Paraguayan midfielder Braian Ojeda and recently acquired fullback Griffin Dorsey.

Returning after a year absense due to injury is midfielder Wilder Cartagena, who slots right back into his starting role. The Peruvian has over 50 games played with the Lions across the last five years and will look to be a key presence for the Lions on both sides of the ball. 

The rest of the starting lineup are returning players from last year as David Brekalo, Adrian Marín, Tyrese Spicer, Duncan McGuire and Marco Pašalić fill out the group. 

Pašalić had a tremendous opening day last year, scoring a brace against the Philadelphia Union in his first MLS match. If he scores again, he will have the most goals by a Lion on opening day in Club history.

The bench for the Lions is a mix of veterans, Homegrown players and a few new faces.

After officially signing his Homegrown deal just yesterday, Justin Ellis will suit up off the bench, joining his fellow Homegrown players Colin Guske, Javier Otero, Tahir-Reid Brown and Zakaria Taifi.

New signings Tiago and Nolan Miller will be available to make their Lions debut if needed, while Iván Angulo will be the veteran to come in later in the match.

Also returning to action after missing last year is Yutaro Tsukada, who was injured in preseason last year. He will look to make a spark in his return as well. 

Missing out tonight is midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who is day-to-day with hamstring tightness.

Check out the rest of Orlando's lineup and bench for when the team takes the pitch at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS on Apple TV:

Orlando City lineup: Maxime Crépeau, Griffin Dorsey, David Brekalo, Iago, Adrían Marín, Marco Pašalić, Braian Ojeda, Wilder Cartagena, Tyrese Spicer, Martín Ojeda, Duncan McGuire

Substitutions: Javier Otero, Iván Angulo, Justin Ellis, Colin Guske, Nolan Miller, Tahir Reid-Brown, Tiago, Zakaria Taifi, Yutaro Tsukada