Orlando City traded American forward Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo on Friday for a package worth up to $2.4 million in general allocation money.The deal includes $600,000 in GAM in 2026, $400,000 in 2027 and $250,000 toward the 2027/28 season.The Lions could also receive up to an additional $1.15 million in performance-based GAM incentives if McGuire meets certain benchmarks. Orlando City will also retain a sell-on percentage in the event of a future transfer.”Duncan has meant a great deal to this club since the day he arrived in Orlando,” Orlando City general manager and sporting director Ricardo Moreira said in a statement. “His resilience, determination and willingness to fight through challenges both on and off the field have earned the respect of everyone throughout our organization. He has played a major role in our success over the last several years, and when the opportunity arose, we wanted to ensure it was a move that made sense for both Duncan and the club. We’re grateful for everything he has given to Orlando City and wish him and his family nothing but success in this next chapter.”McGuire, 25, was selected by Orlando City with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft out of Creighton University.He made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances during his rookie season.In 2024, McGuire signed a contract extension that kept him under contract through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028.The new deal came after a proposed loan move to English club Blackburn Rovers fell through during the offseason.McGuire’s momentum was slowed by injuries. He suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2024 season that required offseason surgery, then sustained another shoulder injury midway through the 2025 campaign that sidelined him for much of the year.Before the start of the 2026 season, McGuire told WESH 2 he was excited about the prospect of finally enjoying a healthy campaign after back-to-back shoulder injuries.With the departure of Designated Player Luis Muriel, McGuire appeared poised to become Orlando City’s starting striker. But the emergence of Homegrown forward Justin Ellis, the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and Orlando City’s salary cap situation likely made McGuire more expendable.

Orlando City traded American forward Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo on Friday for a package worth up to $2.4 million in general allocation money.

The deal includes $600,000 in GAM in 2026, $400,000 in 2027 and $250,000 toward the 2027/28 season.

The Lions could also receive up to an additional $1.15 million in performance-based GAM incentives if McGuire meets certain benchmarks. Orlando City will also retain a sell-on percentage in the event of a future transfer.

“Duncan has meant a great deal to this club since the day he arrived in Orlando,” Orlando City general manager and sporting director Ricardo Moreira said in a statement. “His resilience, determination and willingness to fight through challenges both on and off the field have earned the respect of everyone throughout our organization. He has played a major role in our success over the last several years, and when the opportunity arose, we wanted to ensure it was a move that made sense for both Duncan and the club. We’re grateful for everything he has given to Orlando City and wish him and his family nothing but success in this next chapter.”

McGuire, 25, was selected by Orlando City with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft out of Creighton University.

He made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances during his rookie season.

In 2024, McGuire signed a contract extension that kept him under contract through the 2027 season with a club option for 2028.

The new deal came after a proposed loan move to English club Blackburn Rovers fell through during the offseason.

McGuire’s momentum was slowed by injuries. He suffered a shoulder injury late in the 2024 season that required offseason surgery, then sustained another shoulder injury midway through the 2025 campaign that sidelined him for much of the year.

Before the start of the 2026 season, McGuire told WESH 2 he was excited about the prospect of finally enjoying a healthy campaign after back-to-back shoulder injuries.

With the departure of Designated Player Luis Muriel, McGuire appeared poised to become Orlando City’s starting striker. But the emergence of Homegrown forward Justin Ellis, the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and Orlando City’s salary cap situation likely made McGuire more expendable.