Season Preview: ORLANDO CITY SC

Welcome to my 7th annual MLS Season Preview. This season each club is getting its own dedicated preview, and lets get stuck in with new boys Orlando City SC...



M Kevin Molino (1/10/14 - USL PRO)
M Darwin Cerén (2/6/14 - USL PRO)
D Tyler Turner (2/27/14 - USL PRO)
D Tommy Redding (3/11/14 - Homegrown)
M Kaká (7/1/14 - Designated Player)
M Estrela (8/7/14 - transfer from Benfica)
D Rafael Ramos (8/7/14 - transfer from Benfica)
D Luke Boden (10/27/14 - USL PRO)
M Harrison Heath (10/27/14 - USL PRO)
M Amobi Okugo (12/8/14 - trade from Philadelphia)
D Aurelien Collin (12/8/14 - trade from SKC)
GK Tally Hall (12/8/14 - trade from Houston)
GK Donovan Ricketts (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Portland)
M Tony Cascio (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Colorado)
D Jalil Anibaba (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Seattle)
F Pedro Ribeiro (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Philadelphia)
M Lewis Neal (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from D.C. United)
F Jairo Arrieta (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Columbus)
D Heath Pearce (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Montreal)
F Danny Mwanga (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Colorado)
F Mark Sherrod (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Houston)
D Eric Gehrig (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft from Columbus)
F Bryan Rochez (12/15/14 - Designated Player)
GK Josh Ford (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
M Brek Shea (12/19/14 - free)
D Gustavo (1/5/15 - free)
F Cyle Larin (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
D Conor Donovan (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
F Akeil Barrett (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
F Martin Paterson (1/26/15 - loan from Huddersfield Town)
M Carlos Rivas (1/26/15 - transfer from Deportivo Cali)
M Cristian Higuita (1/26/15 - transfer from Deportivo Cali)
M Eric Avila (2/2/15 - loan from Santos Laguna)
D Seb Hines (2/24/15 - loan from Middlesbrough)
GK Earl Edwards Jr. (2/25/15 - SuperDraft)
D Sean St. Ledger (3/5/15 - free)


OUT:
D Eric Gehrig (12/10/14 - traded to Chicago)
F Mark Sherrod (12/11/14 - traded to San Jose)
D Jalil Anibaba (12/12/14 - traded to Sporting KC)
D Heath Pearce (12/31/14 - out of contract)
F Jairo Arrieta (1/15/15 - traded to D.C.)
F Akeil Barrett (2/12/15 - waived)
D Gustavo (2/12/15 - waived)


MANAGER: Adrian Heath


Orlando City could be a potential disaster. They also could be a thing of beauty.

Up front, young DP Bryan Rochez should lead the attack, though Martin Paterson looks to compete for minutes. Both are new to MLS and question marks, but both hold potential to be serviceable MLS strikers. Danny Mwanga could also feature, in what could be the last chance for the young talent to finally nail down a home in MLS.

In the mid, where else can you start but with DP and former ballon d'or winner Kaka. With a pedigree like AC Milan and Real Madrid, Kaka, even at an advancing age is still the real deal, especially by MLS standards. The only questions about his 2015 will be how many matches does he single handedly win for Orlando City, and can he stay fit in a league known for its tough and physical style. He will be joined in the three of Orlando's 4-2-3-1 by the potential filled Carlos Rivas and returning OC star Kevin Molino. Behind them will be Philly CB turned midfield destroyer Amobi Okugo and Christian Higuita. The mid should be a source of strength for Orlando, not in a physical way, but in a technically gifted and fun to watch way. Lewis Neal and Estrela should also feature quite regularly should anyone fail to hit the ground running.

Defensively, the fullback positions are seen as a source of attacking promise and defensive frailty. Out left, returning to the league is Brek Shea, new to his defensive role, while out right, young Benfica man Rafael Ramos is also more of an attack minded man than a defensive rock. In the center of defense expect Seb Hines and Aurelien Collin to partner up, with Sean St. Ledger and Connor Donovan competing for time along the back line. With two attack minded newbie fullbacks and a potential red card waiting to happen in Collin, defense will be a major concern for OC fans.

Between the sticks veteran Donovan Ricketts looks to hold down the job until Talley Hall returns from injury to take on the big pair of gloves for the next several seasons.If Ricketts can return to the form he had a few seasons ago, it could help settle a questionable defense.

Overall, Orlando City should be one of the most exciting teams to watch. How could they not be with Ricardo Kaka on the pitch? How the rest of the new boys gel under the attacking philosophy of Adrian Heath alongside the members of the team continuing on from the third division USL PRO side Orlando was until last season. In a sink or swim first season, no matter what happens, Orlando City SC will be an interesting watch.


2014 Eastern Conference Finish: N/A
Predicted 2015 Eastern Conference Finish: 9th


Thank you for reading my season preview for Orlando City SC. Feel free to check out any or all of the other club previews, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.