Thank you Pedro Gallese, but now's the time for change | OneFootball

I'll be honest, this one hurts. After six storied years in Central Florida, Pedro Gallese is set to depart the club on the expiry of his current contract.

"Pedro leaves a legacy that will be felt for years to come, and we thank him for everything he’s given to Orlando City," said club General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira on the club's official website.

Since joining via free agency in 2020, the Peruvian 'keeper has helped transform the culture of an organisation who, for so long, were a laughing stock in Major League Soccer, and has delivered some iconic moments along the way.

The signs were there from the off. Gallese's debut season saw Orlando, now under the stewardship of Óscar Pareja, qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the very first time since joining the league in 2015, also reaching the final of the one-off MLS is Back Tournament that August.

Five more post-season appearances followed, but Gallese's crowning moment came in that victorious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign of 2022. His decisive penalty-shootout stop from Eric Miller in the quarter-final win over Nashville SC breathed life into Orlando's chase of a first MLS-era title, before shutting out a stubborn Sacramento Republic in the final.

Clutch shootout saves would soon become Gallese's trademark. Getting the better of opposite number Kristijan Kahlina in last year's winner-takes-all Game Three shootout against Charlotte FC, he most recently made two smart stops - as well as netting the winner - as Orlando downed favourites Toluca to progress to the semi-finals of this summer's Leagues Cup.

Gallese can't be thanked enough for his contributions over the last six seasons, but letting him walk at the end of an ultimately disappointing 2025 feels like the right move for all parties.

He isn't getting any younger

At thirty-five years of age, Gallese is in the twilight of his career.

For Orlando, agreeing a new, short-term deal would only have delayed the inevitable: they need to find a long-term replacement.

A number of second-string stoppers have come and gone since 2020, but none have really staked their claim as Gallese's true successor. Yes, Orlando may be left without an elite 'keeper at present, but they now have the clarity that they must hit the transfer market - and, most importantly, an entire off-season to do so.

For Gallese, parting ways at this point in time allows him the freedom to choose what may well be one last move - and pay cheque - to end his career. He certainly won't be short of suitors.

Money talks

Earning a base salary of $960,000 as well as bonuses, Gallese is one of the league's highest-paid goalkeepers. He has certainly proved his worth during his six-year spell in Orlando, but that's a huge wage both for his position and a player of his age.

Gallese's departure frees up a very handy amount of money that could be used, if Orlando are clever, both to secure his replacement and address either their leaky defence or lack of quality options at striker.

Given the likes of Kahlina, Roman Celentano, and Stefan Frei all earn considerably less than Gallese, it's clear that Orlando don't have to compromise on quality if they opt to source a cheaper replacement.

He just isn't the same player

If Gallese was still at the top of his game, then his salary might still be justifiable. Unfortunately, as Orlando fans have become all too aware, this is just not the case.

Gallese has been culpable for an ever-growing number of mistakes over the past two seasons, two of the most damning of which came within the same game as Orlando fell 2-1 to New York City FC back in March.

This is not to say that age has made him a poor 'keeper, or that he has in any way tarnished his legacy in Orlando. But $960,000 is a lot for someone who is now just as capable of costing you points as he is winning them.

A big winter ahead

The decision to let Gallese walk was a big one, even if, on paper, it's probably for the best. Choosing the man to replace him, though, is even bigger.

Neither of Orlando's remaining goalkeepers, Javier Otero and Carlos Mercado, are proven at the highest level, the sort of stage which Gallese used to make look so easy. A year ago, it looked certain that Mason Stajduhar would inherit his then-teammate's gloves, but his horror double leg-break and surprise trade to Real Salt Lake put an end to that.

Finding a 'keeper as good as Gallese will be tough. If anything, the size of the task ahead is testament to just how good he has been over the past six seasons.