+18 or +21, depending on state | Commercial Content | T&C's Apply | Play Responsibly | Publishing Principles
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.
Duncan McGuire, Orlando CityImagn
Alex Labidou

'We can go all the way' - Orlando City SC's Duncan McGuire on MLS Cup chances, his viral moment, USMNT January camp

The Orlando City SC forward believes his team is ready to lift MLS Cup and he details what makes Oscar Pareja special as manager

Anyone who has ever wondered about Duncan McGuire's toughness should watch a replay of Orlando City SC's Game 3 win over Charlotte FC to advance out of the first round of the 2024 MLS playoffs.

The 23-year-old forward rose in the air for a header and was fouled, landing awkwardly. With a visibly dislocated arm, McGuire rose up from the box and immediately barked for his team to get a penalty on the play. As Facundo Torres would take and score the game-tying penalty, McGuire was getting his arm popped back in the socket. McGuire's resilience and toughness proved crucial for Orlando as it would rally back and secure a trip to the MLS semifinals.

And it also proved to be a viral moment on social media, with fans singing McGuire's praises.

"I'd prefer to go viral for scoring a game-winning goal, but I'll take it," McGuire says, before insisting he doesn't put much weight in social media. Which is important because despite Orlando's late season surge, where it lost only once in its final nine regular season, and its early postseason success this season, it is a club that isn't gaining much national attention or buy in as a potential MLS Cup contender.

McGuire and his team don't care though, especially as they face an upcoming match against another team that has exceeded expectations - and upset favorites Inter Miami - in Atlanta United.

"It doesn't matter where they are in the standings, they've shown they can be dangerous," he said.

McGuire joined Goal US ahead of the return of the MLS Playoffs to discuss his MLS Cup hopes, Oscar Pareja and the USMNT among other topics.

  • Duncan McGuireUSA Today

    ON PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND TITLE CHANCES

    GOAL: One thing that has been a big talking point so far, is playoff scheduling, in particular, the two week break between games. How do you stay locked in? Is it annoying to go through, or is it as easy as just flipping on a script and getting fired up again?

    MCGUIRE: It is a bit odd and not ideal to have two weeks off due to an international break during the playoffs. It's not what you would want and it's more difficult with guys who are away due to international break. Last year was similar and that was tough. You try to keep things simple in training until the guys are back. But overall, it's not the best setup.

    GOAL: Does last year change anything at all in how you prepare for this series

    MCGUIRE: Not really, but last year was definitely a lesson for me as it was my first year in the league.

    GOAL: It almost feels like you guys aren't getting the respect that a team who finished the way you did this regular season should? Is it a bit frustrating when Orlando aren't mentioned among the top contenders for MLS this season?

    MCGUIRE: We don't personally care. None of the guys are talking about that in the locker room. Would it be great to be more seriously considered as title contenders? Yes. But we're not letting that affect us and as I said, it's not something we're talking about in the locker room.

    GOAL: In your mind how good can this team be?

    MCGUIRE: We can go all the way. We have a strong defense and good pieces on attack as well. We've shown that we belong in that conversation.

    • Advertisement
  • Tigres v Orlando City - Concacaf Champions Cup 2024Getty Images Sport

    ON OSCAR PAREJA, FACU AND ROLE CHANGES

    GOAL: What makes Oscar Pareja special in your mind?

    MCGUIRE: He's good at understanding everyone's strengths and weaknesses and he tailors his tactics to everyone's individual strengths. He's got great situational awareness and I've learned a lot from him since joining Orlando from college.

    GOAL: What is your thoughts on Facundo Torres?

    MCGUIRE: Facundo can score in so many different ways and he's really starting to show that now. He makes things easier for the team and he's been in really strong form lately.

    GOAL: When you think about buy in, you have had a role shift over the past two months. How do you deal with that and Is there a point to prove?

    MCGUIRE: When you mention role change I assume you mean my going from starter to sub? Yes, it was an adjustment but I'm OK with it if it helps the team win. Also, I think some of my success has come from being able to link with other great playmaking subs like Nico Loderio. I want to be a starter, but I'm OK with this for now. The focus is on the team.

    GOAL: Around ASG break, you signed a new deal with Orlando. What did that mean to you and what does the Orlando fan base mean to you?

    MCGUIRE: It means a lot. Especially with the Blackburn situation that happened last January. That was a tough situation to deal with and I wasn't certain on how things would go after that. But the team rallied behind me and just like they did when they put a lot of faith in me in drafting me from college, they did the same following everything that happened with Blackburn. This club means a lot to me and I'll keep on working to repay that faith.

  • Duncan McGuire plays for U.S. Olympic teamGetty

    ON USMNT HOPES AND OMAHA UPBRINGING

    GOAL: The USMNT announced its January camp dates. How much do you want to be a part of that?

    MCGUIRE: Anytime the U.S. plays you want to be a part of it and I had a great camp last January. So hopefully I can show why I should be involved in this next one.

    GOAL: Has Mauricio Pochettino or anyone at US Soccer reached out to you since his arrival in September?

    MCGUIRE:: No, not yet. I haven't heard anything.

    GOAL: You're from Omaha, what it's like going from a city where there's no soccer presence to one where there is?

    MCGUIRE: Yeah, it's been different and definitely an adjustment from Omaha, where soccer isn't as big to a place where the fans closely follow the team. Omaha doesn't have any professional teams and out of the teams out there, soccer isn't as closely followed.

    GOAL: What drew you to soccer?

    MCGUIRE: Because I was decent at it at around 10 years old. [Laughs]. Once I realized I was good at soccer, I dropped all other sports and focused a lot on soccer.

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting