ORLANDO, Fla. (July 12, 2023) — Orlando City has named Javier Carrillo as the Club’s Academy Director, it was announced today. Carrillo takes over the role full time after serving in an interim capacity since January of this year.
Carrillo will report directly to Luiz Muzzi, the Club’s EVP of Soccer Operations and General Manager, working to continue to fortify the Club’s development pathway from the Orlando City Academy through Orlando City B of MLS NEXT Pro all the way up to the First Team.
“Javier has been a key part of the success of our Academy these last few years and we’re excited to see him take this next step in his professional career,” Muzzi said. “The growth of our development pathway is imperative to the long-term success of our Club and we cannot wait to see the new heights our Academy will reach under Javier’s leadership.”
“I am thrilled to take on this role with the Club as its Academy Director. I feel as though my time and experience working throughout the state of Florida has prepared me greatly for this role and I’m excited for the challenge,” Carrillo said. “I believe the growth these last few years has been tremendous for the Club, but we still have a lot of room to continue that growth. The investment in our Academy from our ownership group and the Wilf Family has been incredible, and I look forward to leading this group and seeing all that we can accomplish.”
Carrillo joined Orlando City SC in 2019 in the role of Assistant Academy Director while serving at the helm for its U-17 side. Under Carrillo’s direction, the Orlando City U17s lifted its first-ever trophy in 2021, winning the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup for their age group and has followed that up with a run to the Semifinals the past two years. In 2022, Carrillo elevated his own coaching profile, receiving his Elite Formation Coaching License from the French Football Federation. Carrillo currently holds a USSF A license.
Since Carrillo’s arrival in The City Beautiful, a total of nine Orlando City Academy products have signed First Team contracts, including defenders Alex Freeman and Thomas Williams, along with midfielder Favian Loyola. That trio all played as members of Carrillo’s 2021 U-17 MLS NEXT side that won the inaugural MLS NEXT Cup in Frisco.
Prior to his time in Orlando, Carrillo spent time in the southern part of the state, working with USSDA Weston FC in helping to promote players to MLS academies and clubs abroad.
