THE BASICS:
- Orlando City SC
- Eastern Conference
- Home: Citrus Bowl
HONORS:
- 2015: Inaugural MLS season
ORLANDOCITYSC.COM:
Purple is the new black as the league newcomers aim to hit the ground running, if not at a full sprint. Having served a four-year USL apprenticeship, the Lions plan to yield to no one in their debut MLS season as they look to translate their fast-moving, freewheeling, fan-pleasing, smoke-swirling brand of soccer onto the big stage. The Latin-British hybrid of head coach Adrian Heath promises to be a breath of fresh air, with all games major spectator-fueled events. Miss them at your own peril.
Rivals
No surprises, but it is fellow new boys New York City FC, with a difference in culture as well as in their respective city's style. The Lions will be desperate to out-perform Jason Kreis' team on the field, and the fans will be even more anxious to out-shine their expansion counterparts off it. Orlando fans see their team as far more "real" than the New Yorkers, hence the head-to-heads will be keenly contested in every possible aspect.
2014 Recap
The Lions didn't quite finish off their final USL PRO campaign in the style they envisioned after winning their third Commissioner's Cup in four seasons. They topped the league in style, losing just four games, but then went out in the first round of the playoffs to Harrisburg — who finished 25 points behind them. However, midfield dynamo Kevin Molino bagged a league-record 20 goals to highlight his MLS potential.
TRANSACTIONS IN:
TRANSACTIONS OUT:
- D Eric Gehrig (traded to Chicago)
- F Mark Sherrod (traded to San Jose)
- D Jalil Anibaba (traded to Sporting KC)
- D Heath Pearce (out of contract)
- F Jairo Arrieta (traded to D.C.)
- F Akeil Barrett (waived)
- D Gustavo (waived)
2015 Prospectus
Only eight of City's USL PRO roster remain, and the bulk of the starting lineup will be newcomers led by high-profile Designated Player Kaka. MLS-proven goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts and Tally Hall have been recruited while central defense will be trusted to a mix of Aurelien Collin (from Sporting Kansas City), Sean St Ledger (Ipswich), Seb Hines (Middlesbrough) and Conor Donovan (second-round SuperDraft pick). Molino will still fill a key attacking midfield role alongside Kaka, and the addition of US national team stalwart Brek Shea at left back could prove a master-stroke. Honduran whiz kid Bryan Rochez will be relied on as sole striker, backed up by Northern Ireland's Martin Paterson and top draft pick Cyle Larin.
CLUB SOURCE:
"Expansion seasons can always be a challenge, but Orlando added some veteran pieces through the Expansion Draft and through trades. Acquiring two experienced goalkeepers, along with players like Collin, [Amobi] Okugo to complement the DP signings of Kaka and Rochez is a good start."
CLUB SOURCE:
"The club spent a lot to bring in Kaka, and he is the focal point of the team. How they continue to build around him will be key. If Kaka and Shea can stay healthy and Rochez adapts well, then this team will be a playoff contender in the East."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PROJECTED LINEUP: 4-2-3-1
Ricketts; Ramos, Collin, St Ledger, Shea; Okugo, Higuita; Molino, Neal, Kaka; Rochez
Complete roster [orlandocitysc.com]
FANTASY SOCCER
SLEEPER PICKS:
Take a close look at Rafael Ramos ($5.5) and Lewis Neal ($6m). Both figure to start, unless Carlos Rivas' shoulder injury is nothing to worry about. Speaking of Rivas ($9m), he's certainly high risk, high reward, but Kevin Molino ($8m) is the better bet to start the season. There's some value at FWD, and Kaka is Kaka. Take that at face value. He's big, strong, fast, skilled and motivated.
Armchair Analyst's Best Case Scenario
There are always more variables with expansion teams than with pretty much anyone else, but at least OCSC have a built-in culture and some know-how. It shows in the way they've built their team, relying as much as possible on veteran MLS players sprinkled with a few high-upside youngsters.
There is also Kaka. He will single handedly win several games this year.
The question is if he can stay healthy enough to turn "several" into "many," and how quickly everyone around him gets organized. This team probably can't top the East this season, but if everything goes right there will be playoff soccer in Florida.
