Orlando City SC have hired former FC Dallas executive Luiz Muzzi to run the club's soccer operations, the club announced Tuesday. He had been FCD's vice president of soccer operations, a club he was at since 2012.
Muzzi, 49, held a few roles in the FCD organization over the years before being elevated to vice president, serving as director of soccer and technical director. Prior to Dallas, Muzzi was director of soccer for the marketing agency Traffic Sports from 2003 to 2012, overseeing strategy for player and team assets. He was also GM of the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers when the club played in the USL and NASL, and is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French.
"Luiz is a great addition for us and we welcome him to the Club,” OCSC CEO Alex Leitão said in a media release. “He brings a wealth of American soccer knowledge with strong connections in South America to take us to the next levels. With this move, Luiz will have full autonomy as the head of soccer operations to make decisions not only related to player scouting and management, but also to build culture and mentality fitting for his vision of our club.”
The Lions parted ways with general manager Niki Budalic at the end of November after a disappointing 2018 season in which Orlando conceded an MLS-record 74 goals.
“I want to thank FC Dallas for a great tenure with a good group of people who worked by my side for six seasons,” Muzzi said. “Looking forward, I am very excited for the opportunity Orlando City SC has given me to come to one of the most dynamic and exciting clubs in the league with a fantastic stadium and fan base. The opportunity for the growth of soccer in Orlando is only beginning, and I look forward to leading this group in 2019 and beyond."
