Orlando City SC supporters will get to know Joran Gerbet well | OneFootball

In the preseason contest with Atletico Mineiro, the next player announced in the penalty kick shootout was Joran Gerbet. Orlando City SC supporters wondered if this was a good move.

The 90 minutes of regulation play ended in a 0-0 draw. The penalty kick shootout progressed to a score of 5-5. Orlando City SC announced their next shooter was MLS SuperDraft pick Joran Gerbet.

Sure the match against Atletico Mineiro from Brazil was a friendly. But the game strategy is real. It’s the club’s most recent history with the roster dealt for the 2025 season.

A friendly isn’t practice. It’s time to decide what will work for the Lions. In this game situation, would midfielder Joran Gerbet work?

One of the few in the stadium who had no doubt what would work was Joran Gerbet – along with Head Coach Oscar Pareja He wound up, paused, switched feet, and took the kick. He sent a soft, low-line drive toward the bottom right corner of the net.

No one in the stands knew what to make of Gerbet’s artistic delivery. Fortunately for the Lions, neither did Atletico netminder Everson.

Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese finished up. He matched perfectly with the Atletico’s final shooter, defender Bruno Fuchs. A punch save sealed the Orlando City victory.

This season, supporters will get to know Gerbet much better. His training and talent has been as a defensive midfielder. His experience on the pitch is with Oregon State and lately with Clemson.

Last year, he earned honors as first-team All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Midfielder of the Year.

As a defensive midfielder for the Lions, Gerbet will be expected to stay active on defense. He will be the final shield before opposing players get to the backs. However, he’ll also seek to create chances deep.

As he showed supporters in the first preseason game, he’ll also take a chance to score for the Orlando City SC. He’ll take that chance even as a penalty kick.