Orlando City’s Justin Ellis set for NYCFC showdown after being named 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Orlando City’s Justin Ellis will carry fresh recognition into MLS action this weekend, heading into a high-profile Walmart Saturday Showdown against New York City FC at Inter&Co Stadium. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Apple TV.

Ellis’ latest milestone came this week when the MLS NEXT Pro pathway programme named him its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Pathway Player of the Year. The award places further emphasis on the 19-year-old homegrown forward’s rapid rise from prospect to key contributor for Orlando.

In league play, Ellis has been credited with creating chances as much as finishing them. MLS NEXT Pro and MLSsoccer.com’s season tracking (as reflected in the league’s statistical categories cited in the source) places Ellis among the top dribblers for Orlando in 2026, while also noting his playmaking impact, including 11 assists and a role near the top of the club in key passes.

Internationally, Ellis has also carried momentum from the United States’ recent FIFA international window. The source reports that Ellis scored in each of his first two starts for the U.S. men’s national team during that window, including a goal in his debut.

Orlando’s weekend test vs. NYCFC comes as Ellis’ profile has expanded quickly, both with the club and in national-team settings. According to the same source, Ellis has said the attention that follows USMNT performances is something he manages by keeping close ties to family and maintaining a small circle while staying focused on the sport.

Beyond match preparation, the source describes Ellis as part of a dynamic Orlando dressing-room environment shaped by veteran presence and shared routines. It cites a relationship between Ellis and French forward Antoine Griezmann, with Ellis describing himself as “the quiet kid” next to Griezmann in the locker room and crediting Griezmann’s influence for encouraging a greater commitment to defensive duties.

The Griezmann connection matters to Orlando’s current identity because it ties Ellis’ development to an experienced attacking figure in the team’s system. The source also notes that Ellis assisted on Griezmann’s debut MLS goal in July and that both players celebrated together afterwards, highlighting how their on-field and off-field chemistry has developed alongside Orlando’s season.

Ellis’ pathway to Orlando is rooted in South Florida youth soccer and academy transitions. The source states that his father relocated with him to Orlando when Orlando City SC invited him to join the club’s academy at age 15, while his mother remained in South Florida. It also says Ellis credited Javier Carrillo, Orlando’s head of player development, for guiding him through an early adjustment period after joining the Lions.

The profile details that Ellis’ creativity and technical approach have been largely self-driven, describing Ellis as the first soccer player in his family and crediting early inspiration to watching highlight videos of international stars. It also traces his youth development through Weston FC before an opportunity with Inter Miami CF’s academy and a later return to Orlando.

On the international eligibility front, Ellis is described in the source as being eligible to represent Uruguay at the international level due to his Uruguayan heritage. It further reports that Diego Forlán, who leads Uruguay’s under-20 and senior national teams, visited the United States to watch Ellis and conveyed the programme’s interest to Ellis after attending Orlando’s match versus Toronto FC.

Even with that parallel track open, Ellis’ immediate focus remains on the United States set-up. The source reports that Ellis said he is representing the USA and expressed a hope for another call-up from U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino.

As Orlando prepares for NYCFC, Ellis’ storyline continues to merge club responsibilities with national-team exposure. With the MLS NEXT Pro pathway award now in hand and USMNT scoring form behind him, Ellis will look to translate his momentum into another creative performance for the Lions at Inter&Co Stadium.

For fans, the practical takeaway is straightforward: Orlando City’s next home match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV, and it features a player who has recently been recognized as the top MLS NEXT Pro pathway performer for 2026 alongside a growing role in the U.S. national team.

The source also references broader attention around Ellis following his breakthrough, including interest from European clubs. With a weekend match in progress, the next measurable step for Orlando will be how Ellis impacts the game’s tempo and chance creation against NYCFC.