# 2017 Orlando City SC season

The 2017 Orlando City SC season was the club's seventh season of existence in Orlando, and third season in Major League Soccer, the top-flight league in the United States soccer league system. The team opened the season with a 1–0 win over New York City FC, at the newly completed Orlando City Stadium.

## Background

On December 29, 2016, club President Phil Rawlins announced his reduced role in the organization, acting as a liaison for the clubs and their brand in league matters (such as the MLS Expansion Committee), and consulting on the board of directors. The day-to-day operational duties were handed over to CEO Alex Leitão. In recognition for his nine years of service, owner Flavio Augusto da Silva announced that Phil's position would become permanent, bestowing the title of life-president. One of his first actions, on January 4, 2017, was to dedicate the 49 rainbow-colored seats in Section 12 of the new stadium to permanently honor the victims and families of those affected by the Pulse tragedy on June 12, 2016.

## Roster

    Last updated on August 10, 2017
| No. | Name | Position(s) | Date of birth (age) | Previous club | Notes |
| Goalkeepers |||||||
| 1 | Joe Bendik | GK | (1989-04-25)April 25, 1989 (aged 27) | Toronto FC | – |
| 28 | Josh Saunders | GK | (1981-03-21)March 21, 1981 (aged 35) | New York City FC | – |
| 36 | Earl Edwards Jr. | GK | (1992-01-24)January 24, 1992 (aged 25) | UCLA Bruins | – |
| Defenders |||||||
| 2 | Jonathan Spector | CB | (1986-03-01)March 1, 1986 (aged 31) | Birmingham City | – |
| 3 | Seb Hines | CB | (1988-05-29)May 29, 1988 (aged 28) | Middlesbrough | – |
| 4 | José Aja | CB | (1993-05-10)May 10, 1993 (aged 23) | Nacional | INT |
| 12 | Kevin Alston | LB | (1988-05-05)May 5, 1988 (aged 28) | New England Revolution | – |
| 21 | Scott Sutter | RB | (1986-05-13)May 13, 1986 (aged 30) | BSC Young Boys | INT |
| 22 | Conor Donovan | CB | (1996-01-08)January 8, 1996 (aged 21) | NC State Wolfpack | GA |
| 25 | Donny Toia | LB | (1992-05-28)May 28, 1992 (aged 24) | Montreal Impact | – |
| 27 | Rafael Ramos | RB | (1995-01-09)January 9, 1995 (aged 22) | S.L. Benfica Juniors U-19 | – |
| 29 | Tommy Redding | CB | (1997-01-24)January 24, 1997 (aged 20) | FC America | HGP |
| 94 | PC | LB | (1994-03-10)March 10, 1994 (aged 22) | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | INT |
| 95 | Léo Pereira | CB | (1996-01-31)January 31, 1996 (aged 21) | Athletico Paranaense | Loan in, INT |
| Midfielders |||||||
| 5 | Servando Carrasco | DM | (1988-08-13)August 13, 1988 (aged 28) | Sporting Kansas City | – |
| 6 | Richie Laryea | AM | (1995-01-07)January 7, 1995 (aged 22) | Sigma FC | – |
| 7 | Cristian Higuita | CM | (1994-01-14)January 14, 1994 (aged 23) | Deportivo Cali | – |
| 8 | Will Johnson (vice-captain) | CM | (1987-01-21)January 21, 1987 (aged 30) | Toronto FC | – |
| 10 | Kaká (captain) | AM | (1982-04-22)April 22, 1982 (aged 34) | A.C. Milan | INT, DP |
| 15 | Dillon Powers | DM | (1991-02-14)February 14, 1991 (aged 26) | Colorado Rapids | – |
| 16 | Tony Rocha | CM | (1993-08-21)August 21, 1993 (aged 23) | Orlando City B | – |
| 23 | Antonio Nocerino (vice-captain) | DM | (1985-04-09)April 9, 1985 (aged 31) | A.C. Milan | INT |
| Forwards |||||||
| 9 | Cyle Larin | CF | (1995-04-17)April 17, 1995 (aged 21) | Connecticut Huskies | GA |
| 11 | Carlos Rivas | RW | (1994-04-15)April 15, 1994 (aged 22) | Deportivo Cali | INT, DP |
| 13 | Hadji Barry | CF | (1992-12-08)December 8, 1992 (aged 24) | UCF Knights | – |
| 14 | Giles Barnes | CF | (1988-08-05)August 5, 1988 (aged 28) | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | – |
| 18 | Dom Dwyer | CF | (1990-07-30)July 30, 1990 (aged 26) | Sporting KC | – |
| 19 | Yoshimar Yotún | LW | (1990-04-07)April 7, 1990 (aged 26) | Malmö FF | INT, DP |
| 98 | Pierre da Silva | LW | (1998-07-28)July 28, 1998 (aged 18) | Orlando City B | – |

## Staff

Executive :
| Majority owner and chairman | Flávio Augusto da Silva |
| Minor owner and president | Phil Rawlins |
| Owner | John Bonner |
| Chief executive officer | Alex Leitão |
| General manager | Niki Budalić |
| Coaching staff ||
| Head coach | Jason Kreis |
| Assistant coach | C.J. Brown |
| Assistant coach | Miles Joseph |
| Assistant coach/Academy coordinator | Bobby Murphy |
| Goalkeeping coach | Tim Mulqueen |
| B team head coach | Anthony Pulis |

## Competitions
### Friendlies

The Lions finish the preseason 2–2–2. Their first official match at the new stadium is a 3–1 friendly win against USL side St. Louis FC.

### Major League Soccer

    All times in regular season on Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00) except where otherwise noted.
The MLS schedule was released on January 12. Orlando City played its first regular season match in their new stadium on March 5, against their expansion rivals NYCFC. New expansion teams for this year are Minnesota United FC, led by former coach Adrian Heath, and Atlanta United FC. The squad goes into the season riding a 2-game winning streak, besting the Union at Philadelphia, and D.C. United at Camping World Stadium last October.
The team announced two sellouts on February 21: the Home Opener vs. NYCFC on March 5, and the L.A. Galaxy on April 15.
Officials with the Atlanta Stadium group announced on April 18 that the retractable roof will not be completed in time for their planned opening match between Atlanta United FC and Orlando City SC on July 30, forcing moving the game to Bobby Dodd Stadium on July 29. The Lions visited Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, playing to a 3–3 draw, in front 70,425 fans. The game set an MLS attendance record, and registered as 4th-largest crowd in the world this season.

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Source: Match reports
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Ground | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | A | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | H | H | A |
| Result | W | L | W | L | W | W | W | W | L | L | D | D | L | L | W | D | D | D | L | W | L | L | D | L | L | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | L |

#### Standings

Eastern Conference table
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 7 | New England Revolution | 34 | 13 | 15 | 6 | 53 | 61 | −8 | 45 |
| 8 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 50 | 47 | +3 | 42 |
| 9 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 11 | 17 | 6 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 39 |
| 10 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 39 | 58 | −19 | 39 |
| 11 | D.C. United | 34 | 9 | 20 | 5 | 31 | 60 | −29 | 32 |
Overall table
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 16 | Philadelphia Union | 34 | 11 | 14 | 9 | 50 | 47 | +3 | 42 |
| 17 | Montreal Impact | 34 | 11 | 17 | 6 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 39 |
| 18 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 39 | 58 | −19 | 39 |
| 19 | Minnesota United FC | 34 | 10 | 18 | 6 | 47 | 70 | −23 | 36 |
| 20 | Colorado Rapids | 34 | 9 | 19 | 6 | 31 | 51 | −20 | 33 |

### U.S. Open Cup

Orlando City entered the tournament in the fourth round against Miami FC, who had beaten the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–0 on May 31, 2017.
| Fourth Round June 13–14 | Fourth Round June 13–14 | Fourth Round June 13–14 | Round of 16 June 27–28 | Round of 16 June 27–28 | Round of 16 June 27–28 | Quarterfinals July 7–August 2 | Quarterfinals July 7–August 2 | Quarterfinals July 7–August 2 | | Semifinals August 9–15 | Semifinals August 9–15 | Semifinals August 9–15 | | Final September 20 | Final September 20 | Final September 20 |
| NASL | North Carolina FC | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Houston Dynamo | 3* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Houston Dynamo | 3* | MLS | Houston Dynamo | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 4 | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Minnesota United FC | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Minnesota United FC | 0 | | | | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 3* | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | MLS | FC Dallas | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | FC Dallas | 2 | | | | | | | MLS | FC Dallas | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Tulsa Roughnecks FC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Tulsa Roughnecks FC | 1 | MLS | FC Dallas | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Colorado Rapids | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Colorado Rapids | 3 | MLS | Colorado Rapids | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Oklahoma City Energy FC | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Oklahoma City Energy FC | 2 | | | | | | | | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 1(5) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | MLS | San Jose Earthquakes | 1(4) | | | | |
| MLS | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | MLS | San Jose Earthquakes | 1(4) | | | | |
| NASL | San Francisco Deltas | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| NASL | San Francisco Deltas | 0 | MLS | San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Seattle Sounders FC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Seattle Sounders FC | 2 | MLS | Seattle Sounders FC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Portland Timbers | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Portland Timbers | 1 | | | | MLS | San Jose Earthquakes | 3 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | MLS | LA Galaxy | 2 | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | LA Galaxy | 3 | | | | | | | MLS | LA Galaxy | 2 | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Orange County SC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Orange County SC | 1 | MLS | LA Galaxy | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | USL | Sacramento Republic FC | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Sacramento Republic FC | 4 | USL | Sacramento Republic FC | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Real Salt Lake | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Real Salt Lake | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | MLS | Sporting Kansas City | 2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1 |
| MLS | Orlando City SC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1 |
| NASL | Miami FC | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| NASL | Miami FC | 3 | NASL | Miami FC | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Atlanta United FC | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Atlanta United FC | 3 | MLS | Atlanta United FC | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Charleston Battery | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Charleston Battery | 2 | | | | NASL | Miami FC | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | USL | FC Cincinnati | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| USL | FC Cincinnati | 1 | | | | | | | USL | FC Cincinnati | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Columbus Crew SC | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Columbus Crew SC | 0 | USL | FC Cincinnati | 0(3) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Chicago Fire | 0(1) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Saint Louis FC | 0 | MLS | Chicago Fire | 0(1) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Chicago Fire | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Chicago Fire | 1 | | | | | | | | USL | FC Cincinnati | 2 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 3* | | | | |
| MLS | New England Revolution | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 3* | | | | |
| USL | Rochester Rhinos | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Rochester Rhinos | 0 | MLS | New England Revolution | 2 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | D.C. United | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | D.C. United | 4 | MLS | D.C. United | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LQ | Christos FC | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| LQ | Christos FC | 1 | | | | MLS | New England Revolution | 0 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1 | | | | | | | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1 | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | New York City FC | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | New York City FC | 0 | MLS | New York Red Bulls | 1(5) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | MLS | Philadelphia Union | 1(3) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| MLS | Philadelphia Union | 3 | MLS | Philadelphia Union | 1(3) | | | | | | | | | | | |
| USL | Harrisburg City Islanders | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Host team listed first
* Bold = winner
* * = after extra time, ( ) = penalty shootout score
* ^ $^A$ The hosting priority for the final, in order, is Sporting KC then New York Red Bulls then FC Cincinnati

## Player statistics
### Appearances

    As of match played October 22, 2017
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | MLS | MLS | Open Cup | Open Cup |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 1 | GK | USA | Joe Bendik | 33 | 0 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | GK | PUR | Josh Saunders | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 36 | GK | USA | Earl Edwards Jr. | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 70 | GK | USA | Jake Fenlason | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | DF | USA | Jonathan Spector | 26 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Seb Hines | 6 | 1 | 5+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | URU | José Aja | 15 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | USA | Kevin Alston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | USA | Conor Donovan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | POR | Rafael Ramos | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | USA | Tommy Redding | 19 | 0 | 14+4 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | SUI | Scott Sutter | 32 | 1 | 30+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | USA | Donny Toia | 30 | 0 | 29+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | DF | BRA | PC | 9 | 0 | 5+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 95 | DF | BRA | Léo Pereira | 11 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 5 | MF | USA | Servando Carrasco | 16 | 1 | 9+6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | CAN | Richie Laryea | 12 | 0 | 1+11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | COL | Cristian Higuita | 26 | 0 | 18+8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | CAN | Will Johnson | 26 | 2 | 23+3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | BRA | Kaká | 24 | 6 | 18+5 | 6 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | USA | Dillon Powers | 6 | 0 | 4+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | BLZ | Tony Rocha | 3 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | ITA | Antonio Nocerino | 32 | 1 | 28+3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 9 | FW | CAN | Cyle Larin | 28 | 12 | 24+4 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | COL | Carlos Rivas | 31 | 5 | 21+9 | 5 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 13 | FW | GUI | Hadji Barry | 4 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | JAM | Giles Barnes | 35 | 4 | 23+11 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | FW | USA | Dom Dwyer | 12 | 4 | 11+1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | PER | Yoshimar Yotún | 10 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 98 | FW | USA | Pierre da Silva | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for the club but left during the season: ||||||||||
| 17 | MF | USA | Luis Gil | 18 | 0 | 6+11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | ARG | Matías Pérez García | 15 | 1 | 11+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

    As of match played October 22, 2017
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Name | MLS | Open Cup | Total |
| 1 | 9 | FW | Cyle Larin | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | 10 | MF | Kaká | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | 11 | FW | Carlos Rivas | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | 18 | FW | Dom Dwyer | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 14 | FW | Giles Barnes | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | 8 | MF | Will Johnson | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | 2 | DF | Jonathan Spector | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 3 | DF | Seb Hines | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 5 | MF | Servando Carrasco | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 19 | FW | Yoshimar Yotún | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 21 | DF | Scott Sutter | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 23 | MF | Antonio Nocerino | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | 32 | MF | Matías Pérez García | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 39 | 1 | 40 |

### Shutouts

    As of match played October 22, 2017
| Rank | No. | Name | MLS | Open Cup | Total |
| 1 | 1 | Joe Bendik | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Total | Total | Total | 7 | 0 | 7 |

### Disciplinary record

    As of match played October 22, 2017
| No. | Pos. | Name | MLS | MLS | MLS | Open Cup | Open Cup | Open Cup | Total | Total | Total |
| 1 | GK | Joe Bendik | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Jonathan Spector | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Seb Hines | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | DF | José Aja | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | MF | Servando Carrasco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Richie Laryea | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Cristian Higuita | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Will Johnson | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Cyle Larin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | Kaká | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | Carlos Rivas | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | Tony Rocha | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | Luis Gil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | Yoshimar Yotún | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Scott Sutter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | Antonio Nocerino | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 25 | DF | Donny Toia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | Rafael Ramos | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 29 | DF | Tommy Redding | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | Matías Pérez García | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | DF | PC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 95 | DF | Léo Pereira | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | 60 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 3 | 5 |

## Player movement

Per Major League Soccer and club policies, terms of the deals do not get disclosed.

### MLS SuperDraft picks

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2017 draft was held on January 13, 2017. Orlando had one selection.
2017 Orlando City MLS SuperDraft Picks :
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Status |
| 3 | 64 | Danny Deakin | CF | University of South Carolina | Signed |

### Transfers in

| No. | Name | Pos. | Transferred from | Fee/notes | Date |
| 25 | Donny Toia | LB | Montreal Impact | Traded for 1st Round Pick in 2017 MLS SuperDraft | December 23, 2016 |
| | Patrick McLain | GK | Chicago Fire | Acquired in MLS Re-Entry Draft | December 16, 2016 |
| 8 | Will Johnson | CM | Toronto FC | Free agent acquisition | December 28, 2016 |
| 94 | PC | LB | Fort Lauderdale Strikers | Free agent acquisition | January 4, 2017 |
| 98 | Pierre da Silva | LW | Orlando City B | Promoted to First Team from Orlando City B | January 21, 2017 |
| 2 | Jonathan Spector | CB | Birmingham City | Undisclosed | January 24, 2017 |
| 28 | Josh Saunders | GK | New York City FC | Traded for 4th-round selection in 2019 MLS SuperDraft | January 27, 2017 |
| 14 | Giles Barnes | CF | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Player Exchange | February 25, 2017 |
| 21 | Scott Sutter | RB | BSC Young Boys | International Roster Slot acquisition | March 3, 2017 |
| 30 | Danny Deakin | CF | None | Signed with Orlando City B | April 19, 2017 |
| 95 | Léo Pereira | CB | Orlando City B | Occupying International Roster Slot Vacated by Matias Perez Garcia; Recalled to First Team | June 28, 2017 |
| 18 | Dom Dwyer | CF | Sporting KC | Exchange for General, Targeted, and Future Allocation Money | July 25, 2017 |
| 19 | Yoshimar Yotún | LW | Malmö FF | International Roster Slot acquisition; Targeted Allocation Money; Removed DP tag from Giles Barnes | August 5, 2017 |
| 15 | Dillon Powers | DM | Colorado Rapids | Player Exchange for Luis Gil and Targeted Allocation Money | August 10, 2017 |

### Loans in

| No. | Name | Pos. | Loaned from | Notes |
| March 3, 2017 | Moussa Sane | ST | AS Dakar Sacre Soeur | Assignment to Orlando City B; Loan expired |
| April 6, 2017 | Luis Gil | AM | Querétaro FC | On Loan |
| April 14, 2017 | Léo Pereira | CB | Clube Atlético Paranaense | Season-long Loan |

### Transfers out

| No. | Name | Pos. | Transferred to | Fee/notes | Date |
| 14 | Luke Boden | LB | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Option declined | November 23, 2016 |
| 2 | Tyler Turner | RB | LA Galaxy II | Option declined | November 23, 2016 |
| 15 | Pedro Ribeiro | CM | Harrisburg City Islanders | Option declined | November 23, 2016 |
| 19 | Júlio Baptista | CF | CFR Cluj | Option declined | November 23, 2016 |
| 8 | Harrison Heath | CM | Atlanta United FC | Traded for 4th-round selection in 2019 MLS SuperDraft | December 16, 2016 |
| 45 | Mikey Ambrose | LB | Atlanta United FC | Selected No. 7 overall in 2016 Expansion Draft | December 13, 2016 |
| 18 | Kevin Molino | RW | Minnesota United FC | Exchange for General Allocation Money | January 26, 2017 |
| | Patrick McLain | GK | Minnesota United FC | Exchange for Targeted Allocation Money | January 26, 2017 |
| 20 | Brek Shea | LW | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Player Exchange | February 25, 2017 |
| 30 | Danny Deakin | CF | Orlando City B | Waived off of Roster; option to sign with OCB | April 14, 2017 |
| 32 | Matías Pérez García | AM | Tigre | Waived off of Roster; International Roster Slot Open | June 28, 2017 |
| 17 | Luis Gil | AM | Colorado Rapids | Player Exchange with Targeted Allocation Money | August 10, 2017 |

### Loans out

Because of the inclusion of Orlando City B to the new stadium for home games, player movement between the two squads became possible for both teams. Some members who had MLS contracts had the "Right of Recall" option, applicable at any time to the first-team roster.
| No. | Name | Pos. | Loaned to | Notes |
| March 10, 2017 | Devron García | DM | Real C.D. España | Season Long Loan, expired 11/8/17 |
| March 24, 2017 | Earl Edwards Jr. | GK | Orlando City B | |
| March 24, 2017 | Richie Laryea | AM | Orlando City B | |
| March 24, 2017 | Conor Donovan | CB | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |
| March 24, 2017 | Kevin Alston | RB | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |
| March 24, 2017 | Pierre da Silva | LW | Orlando City B | |
| March 24, 2017 | Tommy Redding | CB | Orlando City B | |
| March 24, 2017 | PC | LB | Orlando City B | |
| March 24, 2017 | Hadji Barry | CF | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |
| April 7, 2017 | Moussa Sane | ST | Orlando City B | Transfer Process Completed |
| April 26, 2017 | Rafael Ramos | RB | Orlando City B | |
| April 26, 2017 | Josh Saunders | GK | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |
| April 26, 2017 | Seb Hines | CB | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |

## Notable events

Orlando Health was the jersey sponsor for the seventh consecutive season. New primary home kits were unveiled at the Fan Forum on Friday, February 17.
On April 22, it was announced that Orlando City, alongside 3 other MLS clubs, would wear a special kit in commemoration of the Earth Day. The kit, made entirely with recycled plastic from the Maldives at the Indian Ocean, was made by Adidas in conjunction with the Parley for the Oceans foundation, in order to address marine plastic pollution in the world. Orlando used this kit in an away game against New York City FC on April 23.
On May 8, the USSF announced that Orlando City Stadium would join other MLS clubs in hosting FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2018 tournament. The venue hosted the October 8 home match between the United States against Panama. It was the first national team fixture in Orlando since a friendly against Sweden in 1998.
The fourth round draw of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, announced on May 18, had the Lions hosting the winner of Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Orlando City Stadium the second week of June (see above).
Starting Goalkeeper Joe Bendik posted back-to-back years of 100+ saves before the team's largest win of the season, a 6–1 victory over the New England Revolution on September 27 at Orlando City Stadium.
With the New York Red Bulls win on October 7, the Lions were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the 3rd straight year.
Captain and first Designated Player Kaká declined a one-year extension on his contract in October 2017. He played his final match, assisting on Dom Dwyer's goal, and was subbed off in the 65th minute of a friendly fundraiser against the Puerto Rico national team on November 4.
On November 7, Orlando City Stadium was among 5 venues announced to host matches for the 2018 Florida Cup. It hosted the tournament's opening games on January 10–11, 2018.