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

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)
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)
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ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 04: Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita (7) possess the ball during the MLS soccer match between the Orlando City SC and New England Revolution on August 4th, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 04: Orlando City midfielder Cristian Higuita (7) possess the ball during the MLS soccer match between the Orlando City SC and New England Revolution on August 4th, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

CM – Cristian Higuita – Orlando City

The only original starter to still be at Orlando City is midfielder Cristian Higuita, who has racked up over 100 appearances for the side in his five years in Florida. The Colombian midfielder came through the Deportivo Cali youth academy in his home country, before making his professional debut with the club in 2011.

Higuita struggled to break through to the first team until 2014, where he became a part of the side that won the Superliga Colombiana, qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana in the process. The Colombian was part of the U-20 national team that won the Campeonato Sudamericano Sub-20 Juventud de América Argentina in 2013, but only played once as injury forced him out of the rest of the tournament.

Higuita signed for Orlando City for their inaugural MLS season in 2015, going on to play 26 times for the Lions, clocking up more than 2200 minutes in the process. He has been a consistent starter for the team during their five years in MLS, notching at least 20 league appearances through their first four campaigns.

The midfielder has now made more than 100 appearances for the Lions, holding the record for the most appearances for the club in the MLS era.