Orlando City continue to go young with much of their roster for their debut MLS season in 2015, announcing on Monday the addition of Colombian Under-21s Carlos Rivas, a winger, and Cristian Higuita, a midfielder.
Linked with Orlando since December, Rivas (pictured above) and Higuita were pictured in early January posing in Orlando City jerseys, and the deals have now been finalized.
Rivas, who will turn 21 in April, made his professional debut for Once Caldas in 2012, then joined Deportivo Cali in 2013. He broke out in 2014, scoring 12 goals in 29 games despite a mediocre season for Deportivo Cali. Rivas added three goals in international play to lead the team in scoring.
He finished the year by scoring three goals in four appearances during Deportivo Cali's semifinal group stage that saw them finish runner-up to Independiente Medellín, who lost in the final to Santa Fe.
Although Rivas can play up front, Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath has said he sees Rivas as a potential starter at left wing.
Born and raised in Cali, Higuita turned 21 on Jan. 12. Although he has seen less professional playing time than Rivas, he is also a highly-regarded defensive midfield prospect. He debuted with the first team in 2006 and made 10 appearances during the 2014 campaigns, scoring twice.
Higuita was part of the Colombia U-20 squad that won the 2013 South America Youth Championship, although he was limited to just one appearance due to injury. He did not compete at the 2013 U-20 World Cup.
Orlando's roster already included forwards Cyle Larin and Bryan Róchez, midfielders Estrela and Harrison Heath, and defenders Conor Donovan, Rafael Ramos, Tommy Redding and Tyler Turner, all born 1995 or later.
