I'm curious to see what people's speculation on who from SKC could be left unprotected ahead of the expansion draft next season? Dwyer, Zusi, Sapong? Players from other clubs that have Orlando/Central Fl connections that could benefit OC's 1st MLS season? I'm sure Zusi's future will be drastically effected depending his performance this summer in Brasil. If he has a good showing, it might not matter he could be off to Europe for a couple of years first (being that he is 27, could hinder his appeal despite good showing).
I don't see the harm in extending Adu a one-year deal for 2014. I also don't see him taking it. He may feel he's too big for it, which may be part of the problem.
I don't see any player of that caliber being left unprotected. Basically, any remotely young starting caliber player you can assume will be protected. OC will be able to pick some young talent in the expansion draft, but probably no one with the ability to start immediately. I've done some analysis on past expansion drafts, and the best we can expect is a guy that would able to start consistently two or three years down the line. Very unofficially, and I can't vouch for the source, I'm hearing that OC believes the MLS may help them acquire a couple of guys with Central Florida ties. Zusi would be included in that group, and one other name was mentioned that I can't think of at the moment. On the one hand I'd be surprised to see Zusi pried away from SKC since they gave him the opportunity. On the other hand, the MLS does try to get players into the market they fit best, so crazy things could happen. I have zero hope of getting Sapong, SKC seems to be completely enthralled by him. I wouldn't be shocked if OC is able to acquire Dwyer. But at the same time I don't think SKC would give up Dwyer and Zusi in the same year. Do expect OCSC to target Central Florida talent in the future. I won't give a name because I don't want to start crazy rumors, but I do know they are interested in a kid from the area that had a great freshman year in college. So the long answer is that they are keeping close tabs on the local talent and will try to scoop up as many with local ties as possible, like Joseph Toby.
? Not doubting your analysis but I cannot see MLS pulls any strings to get natives or locals back. That would include Central FL guys like Dax McCarty, Nate Sturgis, Eddie Johnson also UCF guys like Deshorn Brown or Sean Johnson. I don't see any if these guys going to Orlando next year unless they make arrangements w/ existing club to be traded or just be available in expansion draft.
I think Dax McCarty was the other guy mentioned. And surely Orlando would have to give something up in trade. But the MLS does own all contracts, and they do make arrangements when international players become available to ensure they get to the team they want to go to. I'm also skeptical, but stranger things have happened in the MLS. But I seriously doubt OC gets more than one of these guys, if any.
All very true, but it will be done because the player or OCSC asks for the trade and something is traded. I don't think there is any need for MLS to bend its own rules again. Besides, you have to achieve favorite club status to get those kind of perks.
Absolutely. Rusin is big, tall CB (6' 4") who has command of the air and above-average technical skills for a player his size. At age 25, Rennie named him captain of a tempestuous 2011 RailHawks squad that won 10 straight games over the first half of the season. He was the glue in the locker room, and not coincidentally, the team backslid once he left for Denmark after July 4.
Well Eddie Johnson retired a couple years ago, so that's not gonna happen anyway. I wouldn't expect them to pull any strings to get locally-based players back, especially ones in or before their prime like Deshorn Brown or Graham Zusi. If anyone were to come, they'd have to be past prime, and I doubt even McCarty counts as that.
Eddie Johnson? That's a joke right? The one that used to play in USL, retired and is suing the Timbers is a white guy from England. I'm talking about the American EJ who plays for DC now and USMNT.
Fuuuuu... I mixed him up with Eddie Robinson. My bad. I didn't even know USMNT Johnson was from here.
Christian Bruey @CBrueyWFTV 1h Great quote from @daxmccarty11. "Im happy in Ny but I've definitely thought about ending up with @OrlandoCitySC at some point."
Well I guess that Jamie Watson WON'T be making the transition with Orlando. http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/246404051.html
Watson leaves Orlando City for Minnesota http://www.socceramerica.com/articl...orlando-city-for-minnesota.html?edition=11336 Sad to see him go. He played with a lot of heart and helped Orlando City win those two USL Championships. I'm sure that he was looking forward to playing in the new stadium.
Pretty big signing for the future, Tyler Turner: http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1753
Orlando City SC announces Oviedo's Tommy Redding as first homegrown signee http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/soccer/os-orlando-city-signing-0313-20140312,0,365564.story
From the OCSC page: http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1764 "Known as a quick and athletic defender, Redding is one of the elite players in the country for his age and has the ability to play multiple positions, according to Heath. The 6-foot-2 center-back is a current member of the U18 U.S. Men’s National Team, along with Orlando’s previous signing Tyler Turner, and made headlines after several impressive performances last year during FIFA U17 World Cup qualifying matches." I'm liking these signings. Upside: It's nice that Redding and Turner are familiar with each other. At such a young age they will bond with each other and make a strong back line duo. Downside: I hope this doesn't push Valentino out of the MLS picture. Also, at the West Orange Chamber event this morning he had mentioned that MLS gave Orlando a territory of 100 miles south of Orlando all the way up to the FL/GA border to the panhandle for their academies/Homegrown Players designation.
I was at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce today where Phil Rawlins was speaking. At one point he talked about the "Brazilian Beckham". Then later he let it slip (which Im sure he does at all his speaking engagements) and said Kaka. And said about signing him in the next several months.
I doubt any serious announcement about that high-profile of a signing will come until well into the offseason. And assuming there's roughly either a straight linear border, or a county border-based boundary on the southern limits of that territory, that means we can get HGPs down to Bradenton, Sebring, Okeechobee or Port St. Lucie, or up to Jacksonville, Tallahassee or Pensacola.
That first video is of his younger brother (who was saying he was also in talks with OCSC). But Darwin is a good solid player, I think you guys are enjoying him so far
"Orlando Receives Sporting Kansas City Midfielder Mikey Lopez On Loan" Link: http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/?article_id=1766
One my absolute favorite players on Fifa 14. Lopez is a great young midfielder with a ton of energy. Barely any playing time at SKC so this will be great for him.
Orlando City receives midfielder Mikey Lopez on loan from affiliate Sporting KC http://www.baynews9.com/content/new...cles/bhsn/2014/3/17/orlando_city_receive.html Sporting Kansas City sends midfielder Mikey Lopez to Orlando City on loan http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...pez-orlando-city-loan-20140317,0,3462195.post