Three weeks in, Orlando City have just secured the most important deal of the off-season | OneFootball

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.

After a year out, though, Cartagena is back. Agreeing a new one-year deal with a club option for 2027, he is ready to revive a midfield that wavered under so much inconsistency throughout 2025, ultimately underpinning Orlando's late-season collapse.

The first piece of the puzzle

There's no sugarcoating it, Orlando's front office have a lot of work to do this off-season just to sort of the team's midfield, let alone deal with the disastrous defence or lack of goals at striker.

With Araújo widely tipped to be departing on a free, Joran Gerbet currently nursing a tear to his left ACL, and uncertainty regarding Atuesta's future, Colin Guske was the only natural central midfield confirmed to be returning for 2026. And, at 18 years of age, he's only managed to accrue 13 minutes of Major League Soccer experience at present.

There's probably going to be substantial turnover in Pareja's midfield this winter, but Cartagena will provide some much-needed familiarity heading into a new season.

Orlando's midfield destroyer

With Cartagena out, it was Araújo who took on the role as Orlando's chief anchor man in 2025. The Uruguayan excelled at recovering and recycling possession, but is probably a bit too lightweight to do the same sort of job his teammate did.

Losing the majority of his aerial duels, being dispossessed far too often, and often letting his temper get the better of him, Araújo cost Orlando on one too many an occasion.

Cartagena, on the other hand, is a true midfield destroyer. In 2024, he ranked among the very best midfielders in the league in tackles won, shots blocked, both ground and aerial duels won, and fouls won.

In his absence, Orlando were easy pushovers. But that shouldn't be the case in 2026.

Cartagena could unlock Atuesta

Of course, Atuesta still isn't confirmed to be returning for the new season. But, with a club option for 2026, Orlando would be stupid not to renew the 28-year-old - especially with Cartagena back in the fold.

Atuesta is a fantastic passer and ball-carrier, ranking among the league's best-in-class for successful passes, chances created, and successful dribbles last season. He earned himself seven league assists for his troubles, but he could achieve so much more.

Because Araújo struggled to fill the void left by Cartagena, Atuesta often found himself much deeper than he'd otherwise want helping out the defence. As we found out away to St. Louis CITY in June, when his 45th-minute miscue gifted the hosts an undeserved route back into the game, this is not where he is strongest.

However, Cartagena's defensive capabilties should shore up Orlando's back line much better than Araújo managed in 2025, meaning Atuesta will have greater license to do what he does best: attack.

But is he the same player as before?

I have just one little inkling of concern.

However good Cartagena has been throughout his Orlando career, long-term injuries change you as a player.

Rupturing his left Achilles in a pre-season scrimmage with Atlético Mineiro back in January, the 31-year-old has missed an entire year of football. We've already seen what successive long-term shoulder injuries have done to Duncan McGuire in recent times, with the striker failing to find any sort of consistency in front of goal.

The period of time likely needed to get back up to speed aside, we are yet to find out what sort of damage Cartagena's injury has done to his playstyle. As a combative midfielder, physicality is a must, and we just can't be sure yet if he'll be capable of putting his body right in the firing line once again.

But, if anyone has shown on-field the strength needed to recover from such an injury, Cartagena is that man.