Orlando City's inaugural MLS squad: Where are they now?

Orlando City’s inaugural MLS squad: Where are they now?

By Matt Coles | Aug 1, 2019

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: The group photo of the Orlando City SC prior to an MLS soccer match between the New York City FC and the Orlando City SC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. This was the first game for both teams and the final score was 1-1.(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

11 of 12

ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 15: Orlando City SC forward Carlos Rivas (11) during the soccer match between Orlando City SC and The Columbus Crew on October 15, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

ST – Carlos Rivas – Hapoel Ra’anana (Ligat Tel Aviv SE, ISR)

Colombian forward Carlos Rivas led the line for Orlando City for their first three seasons in MLS, and he started their very first game in the league in March 2015.

His career started in his home country, playing for Once Caldas for the 2012 and the start of the 2013 campaign. He then signed for Deportivo Cali midway through the 2013 season, and went on to play through to the end of the 2014 term for the club, where he scored 13 goals in 36 league games.

He moved to Orlando for the club’s inaugural season in MLS, along with team-mate Cristian Higuita, with the pair joining the Florida side in early 2015. Rivas started up top for the Lions in their season opener against New York City, and went on to be the preferred starting striker for the club for the next three seasons.

The Colombian scored just eight times in 78 games for the club in league play, assisting 13 other goals for this team, before making the move to the New York Red Bulls for the 2018 campaign. He then spent time with the Red Bulls II team and with Atlético Nacional on loan, before signing for Hapoel Ra’anana in July 2019 ahead of the 2019-2020 season.

Home/Orlando City SC