Orlando City should be all over this former nemesis to replace Pedro Gallese | OneFootball

This off-season is set to be one of huge change at Orlando City. After a bitterly disappointing end to 2025, a number of long-serving players look to be heading out of the door when their contracts expire at the end of the year.

One of those already confirmed to be on his way out is Pedro Gallese, who departs after a legendary 201 appearances, 568 saves, and 57 clean sheets between the sticks for Óscar Pareja's side over six seasons in Central Florida.

Of course, thanks to his immeasurable contributions during this period of time, this particular goodbye will take some getting over. However, Gallese's departure also serves as an exciting opportunity for Orlando to establish a brand new goalkeeping dynasty, one that builds on his legacy and potentially leads the club to more championships.

This is especially the case right now, when one of Major League Soccer's most accomplished 'keepers has just been made available for transfer.

As Tom Bogert reported earlier this afternoon, Carlos Coronel is set to depart New York Red Bulls this winter after failing to agree a new deal. This means that Orlando can pick him up for nothing this off-season.

Given Coronel's skillset, though, they will have to fast.

The perfect successor to Gallese

Coronel was a shining light in an otherwise bleak campaign for the Red Bulls. Making a total 103 saves, registering 10 clean sheets, preventing 6.46 expected goals, and saving one of three penalties faced in league play, the 28-year-old was pretty much the sole reason his side never troubled the likes of Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, and D.C. United for the wooden spoon.

If anything, Coronel was even more impressive this term than in 2024, when the Red Bulls conjured an unlikely run all the way to MLS Cup. That season included a total three meetings with Orlando, two of which were 1-0 shutouts for Coronel and co. - including that gut-wrenching Eastern Conference Final, in which he pulled off a magnificent last-ditch stop to deny Facundo Torres.

Consistently ranking among the league's best goalkeepers statistics-wise during his five-season stint in New Jersey, Orlando would know exactly what they are getting with Coronel. And, for a handful of reasons, he makes a whole lot more sense than renewing Gallese.

More bang for your buck

There's no nice way to put this, but Gallese just wasn't worth his huge $1 million salary come the end of his Orlando career.

Despite clearly still possessing that famed ability to win games single-handedly, as we saw against Toluca, far too many costly mistakes had entered his game. In a competition where salaries and roster-building are still so heavily restricted, no goalkeeper is worth $1 million a year - let alone one who you can't guarantee will turn up on any given week.

Coronel, on the other hand, should command considerably less than Gallese. Earning a base salary of $550,000 in 2025, Orlando have the opportunity to bank a huge sum on wages without compromising on quality, even if Coronel asks for a raise.

Of course, it's possible that Gallese may well have been happy to negotiate a lowered salary, perhaps even akin to that of Coronel, in order to remain in Orlando. But, with a six-and-a-half year age difference between the two, it's Coronel who represents the more sound investment.

It's not as if Coronel seems vastly inexperienced by comparison, either. A brief loan stint at Philadelphia Union aside, his five seasons going toe-to-toe with the very best stoppers in this league represents a solid resume.

Moving on from such a legendary 'keeper as Gallese was a huge decision from Orlando's front office. It's crucial that they get his replacement absolutely correct, otherwise they'll look very red-faced indeed.

But, with someone as good as Coronel available to them, they have the perfect opportunity to prove they made the right call.