KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Bernardo Rhein, an 18-year-old Orlando native who came up through the Orlando City academy, signed his MLS contract and earned his first start in the same weekend, helping the Lions to a 1-0 win over Eastern Conference-leading Nashville SC before a sold-out crowd at Inter.co Stadium.

The match also featured Antoine Griezmann’s home debut and a winner from Tyrese Spicer, but it was Rhein’s journey from academy kid to first-team starter that captured the locker room’s attention. Rhein learned his contract had come through on Friday and was named to the starting lineup the following night.

“It’s been exciting. Everything went by so fast,” Rhein said at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park. “I found out on Friday the contract came through, and then Saturday was already game night, so I got to start. But it’s a dream come true. Coming from the Academy, training over there my whole entire life, and now being over here with all these great players, the fans, the atmosphere, it was fantastic.”

Rhein’s path has been a steady climb. After years in the Orlando City Academy, he moved up to Orlando City B in 2025, signing his first professional deal alongside Justin Ellis. He trained regularly with the first team over the past two seasons before earning his MLS contract.

“Starting off in the Academy over there on field three on the turf, you get that pathway where you see everyone training over here,” Rhein said. “It’s that drive and that motivation you get from seeing the big players. All the academy kids that came up with me too, the players that came and the ones that left, it’s just inspiring. Just to kind of want that motivation to come up here and then be in the locker room with them is just great.”

Walking through the tunnel at Inter.co Stadium — a venue Rhein frequented as a fan when it opened — tested his composure. “I had goosebumps at first because of the stadium and everything in that tunnel,” he said. “We were in there for a couple minutes, so I was just letting everything sink in before we went out. I tried to hide my emotions as best I could.”

Orlando City now turns its attention to a road match against Red Bull New York, which sits eighth in the Eastern Conference with 22 points — just two points ahead of the Lions in the standings. Three points against the Michael Bradley-led side could push Orlando back into the playoff picture before Leagues Cup play begins next Wednesday, the first of three straight midweek matches.

Interim head coach Martín Perelman said the club planned for the compressed schedule from the start. “It’s gonna be a lot of training and the video room and then recovery room,” Perelman said. Of Red Bull New York, he added: “They are an intense team, and we know them. It’s always hard to go on the road, and we’re gonna prepare ourselves the best as possible to compete. We will try to win the game, because at the end of the day, it’s what we look for.”

Kickoff at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the match airing on Apple TV.