ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City B announced on Wednesday it had inked U.S. Youth National Team midfielder and Orlando City Development Academy product Jordan Bender as its first signing ahead of the club's inaugural 2019 USL League One season.
“This is a really exciting moment for us as we officially gain traction on the player side,” OCB general manager Mike Potempa said. “Jordan has tremendous skill. We couldn’t be happier to bring him on board and continue building a roster ahead of next year.”
Bender, 17, has played for the OCDA since he was 14, when he started with the U-13/14s. Bender played 26 games for the U-15/16s the following year, scoring five goals. When he was 16, Bender scored six goals in 28 games for the U-17/18s. He has one goal in one game this season with the U-18/19s.
The Lake Mary, Fla., native earned his first U.S. U-16 national team call-up in February 2017. Bender will continue his education at Montverde Academy, which has housed the Orlando City DA since January.