Wilder Cartagena loss for 2025 poses challenge to Orlando City SC | OneFootball

What has Orlando City SC lost this season because of Wilder Cartagena’s injury?

Midfielder Wilder Cartagena went down with an injury during the Orlando City SC friendly with Atletico Mineiro. It turned out to be damage to his left Achilles tendon. He underwent successful surgery at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute on Jan. 29.

He’s now on the season-ending injury list for 2025. Director of Medical and Performance Gonzalo Rodriguez predicts a long recovery process. The team will support his recovery, strengthening, and return to the pitch.

Cartagena has been producing for the Lions since his first eight matches in 2022. He started in half of those matches. From the first, he established a high passing percentage that remained steady through last season at 86% or better.

In that first season, he got off three key passes. After that, he kept his key passing totals in double digits.

He has steadily increased in value to Orlando each season. That shows in his increasing minutes. His 2,192 minutes in 2024 represent almost 50% of his total 4,432 minutes for Orlando City.

Nov 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena (16) with the ball in the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

He’s also proved amazingly adaptable to what Orlando needs to do to win. While instinctively right-footed, he has been training himself to work left-footed. Last season, he attempted three left-footed shots.

Early in the 2024 season Orlando City consistently suffered defeats. Opponent scouts learned that the back-three formation (three dedicated defenders) would unbalance the Lions, on offense and defense.

Through drills, Orlando coaches learned that the best medicine for the back three was to develop their three-defender attack. This formation requires some midfielders to serve on the backline when on defense, and these midfielders have to be among the most highly skilled on the squad.

Wilder Cartagena served as one of the Lions’ hybrid defenders in these situations. Orlando City turned the season around and threatened for the MLS Championship.

But Cartagena is out. Orlando City SC still has a solid roster with depth. They have executed a group of transfers to bolster the lineup for 2025. They will work again toward the MLS championship.