Rodrigo Schlegel always knew what it would take from him to cement his role as one of Orlando City’s starting centerbacks. 

The Argentine first appeared on the Orlando City scene ahead of the 2020 season as a then 22–22-year-old hailing from his boyhood team Racing Club. 

His first two seasons were compiled with occasional appearances, filling in holes left at the centerback position – even once as a goalkeeper during the 2020 playoffs. 

But it wasn’t until the 2022 season when Schlegel stepped in during Robin Jansson’s injury layoff that he finished the season starting 23 times in the 29 games played. 

This season for Schlegel, his starting role meant filling in for Antonio Carlos in which he’s started 22 times in 26 games. 

For Schlegel, the role he’s currently in is a desire long waited but forged through opportunity. 

“All of us want to be starters, that’s what this game brings and what we desire,” Schlegel told the Orlando Soccer Journal recently. “one must work and give their maximum during training sessions to earn a starting spot. I always want to start, so I try to give my best during training and games.

“Now it’s my turn to be playing, and I do it with a lot of commitment and dedication,” he added. “I’m happy for this moment but I have to continue on this path, working with humility with respect to how my parents raised me and it’s how you manage it in this game as well as in life, so I’m just enjoying the moment because that’s how this game is.”  

Schlegel has made 11 consecutive starts heading into this year’s playoffs, which has also allowed him to create a partnership at the position with Robin Jansson. 

“He’s developed a lot. Everything comes with game time, but he’s been doing very well,” Jansson said about Schlegel. “I feel that our connection has a better understanding since we have played more time together during Antonio Carlos’ absence from injury. He’s been contributing to the team with his style of play, energy, and intensity that he’s bringing.”  

The intensity Jansson alludes to is something Schlegel says it’s always been part of his repertoire despite every now and then getting chippy with players from the opposing team. 

“It’s things that happen in the game and remain in the game,” Schlegel says. “It’s a way of life but it keeps me focused and in the game, so I try to remain focused at all times, so if I do that during the game, I do it. But it’s football and that’s how you must understand it.” 

Schlegel, now 26 years old, arrived at Orlando City on loan from Racing Club ahead of the 2020 season. Before the start of the 2021 season, though, the Lions exercised a purchase option to acquire Schlegel from the Argentinian club. 

Prior to the 2022 season, Schlegel signed a two-year contract with option years for 2024 and 2025. But things progressed again at the start of the 2023 season when the defender signed a new two-year deal keeping him at Orlando at least through the 2024 season but with a 2025 option year. 

Still, after four seasons with Orlando, head coach Oscar Pareja says he notices how far Schlegel has come to where he’s at now. 

“Rodrigo has matured a lot. He’s a player who came here very young with some experience and finding his place here,” said Pareja. “He’s an important player for this club and the way he approaches training and games. The energy he transmits makes him very likable among his teammates and fans.” 

“Individually, with the principle tactics along with the physical and in-game values he carries, it’s going to keep him in that position,” added Pareja. “He’s been growing. He knows there’s more left but he’s a player who’s shown an important development.”

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