As Benji Michel said, "2020 begins now." Of course, we'll have to do that without James O'Connor, who was sacked after the last game of the season. (Watch him make the playoffs with another team in 2022 like Inchy did.) I mean forget the roster for a second. That probably won't even begin to move until a new gaffer is hired. But who would want to manage this club? The owner and front office demonstrably don't care about building a winner, or giving a manager the necessary time and power to build a winner.
I don't think firing Inchy was the problem. It was a symptom. I really don't think we'd be much better if Inchy weren't sacked.
End-of-season roster decisions were announced yesterday: Declined options: Carlos Ascues Alex De John Adam Grinwis Cameron Lindley Shane O'Neill Dillon Powers Greg Ranjitsingh Uri Rosell Lamine Sane Mason Stajduhar Out of contract: Christian Higuita Will Johnson Sacha Kljestan Anyone else is either under contract, or had their options exercised. Ruan is currently negotiating to transfer. EDIT: Orlando has completed an agreement to convert Ruan's loan into a transfer. He is now on a two-year contract with an option for a third.
Alex De John and Mason Stajduhar have signed new contracts. Both are your standard one-year contracts with option years.
Brazilian defender Antônio Carlos has been acquired. He is on a one-year loan from Brasileirao side Palmeiras, with an option to buy at the end of the loan. Apparently we also have loans for Colombian-American midfielder Andrés Perea from Atletico Nacional Medellin, and Argentine defender Rodrigo Schlegel from Racing Avellaneda. Both of them are very young players (Perea recently turned 19), so we'll see how they develop.
The rumor mill is pumping this morning, with reports that Deportivo Cali midfielder Alex Castro has asked for a transfer specifically to Orlando City. Reports of a US$1M transfer fee request. "I want to go to Orlando City, in the MLS, Cali knows it. Professor Oscar Pareja knows me and I want to travel soon, I will talk to managers today or tomorrow, my wish is to leave. I want to make myself known outside and I hope that this is concluded... https://t.co/HSZ3QiWT5N— graham (@graham_fl) January 14, 2020 $1 million dollar fee which can be spread out over the length of his contract. Apparently a fairly large salary. My guess? Somewhere in the range of 400-600k. https://t.co/SKzXCVVqwz— graham (@graham_fl) January 14, 2020 Young Graham really been scouring the interwebz for us all offseason with these tidbits. Great job, buddy! (Now get to class 😤) https://t.co/ay8kSnK9fy— RUCKUS (@RuckusOrlando) January 14, 2020
In another recent acquisition, Orlando City got Peru national GK Pedro Gallese last Friday. Gallese last played for Mexican side Veracruz, and spent last year loaned to Allianz Lima. He was aquired with TAM on a permanent transfer. He has 62 caps with Peru. Also, Robinho got his green card on Monday, opening up an international slot.