Orlando City has begun making moves to improve the roster ahead of its second season. The full brunt of free agency and the transfer market will not hit for a little while though. The Lions roster gets its first major addition today with the MLS SuperDraft, taking place in Baltimore on Thursday.
The Lions clearly are trying to build some depth and get some experience to help the team make that push to the Playoffs next year. As an expansion team, injuries hit the team hard as the patchwork roster Orlando City built cracked in several areas. The team would probably want some experience, but it also knows how valuable the SuperDraft can be.
Orlando City selected Cyle Larin with the top overall pick last year in what really seemed like a no-brainer at the time. It proved to be worth it as Larin was the runaway winner of MLS’s Rookie of the Year award and set the MLS record for goals scored by a rookie.
The Lions could only be so lucky to get another player that produces that much so quickly.
There are plenty of options for Orlando City at No. 7. A lot of different options.
That includes one of the seven Generation adidas players, players who signed a contract with MLS as one of the top prospects and whose salary does not count against the salary cap in their first year. Orlando City should get a player who will contribute to the team fairly quickly and in a fairly big way.
What does Orlando City need then?
They could use some more depth in the midfield, particularly in the middle or defensive midfield. They have their attackers pretty well set with Kaka, Kevin Molino (assuming he is healthy), Christian Higuita in the middle and Brek Shea (who plays mostly defense), Carlos Rivas and Pedro Ribeiro or Adrian Winter on the wings. Winter and Darwin Ceren drop back in the defensive midfield well, but there is not a lot of depth. Adrian Heath has a lot of different combinations and versatility he likes to use.
Getting some more defensive-minded players in general would help. Orlando City had questions defensively all year outside of Aurelian Collin. Boosting that depth would be good for the team too.
Orlando City certainly should be thinking about its defense with the SuperDraft, but also keep an eye on the best player available.
Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel suggested North Carolina produce Omar Holness, if he is available.
Holness can play just about anywhere in the midfield, helping build depth in that position for Orlando City. He could potentially work well to flip too when Molino cuts in from the wing or if a player like Shea or Rivas moves toward the middle. That versatility is valuable.
Holness was, by one scout’s eye, the best player at the MLS Combine last week and so may not last until No. 7.
Like Holness, Notre Dame’s Patrick Hodan also has versatility in the midfield, playing almost every position and even getting bumped up to forward on a few occasions. He is a strong holder too and can make plays dribbling the ball, which should help build Orlando City’s attack. Anyone who can keep up with Kaka is worth having around.
Jamaica’s Jorginho James impressed at the Caribbean Combine and has a few caps with the Jamaica national team. James is a bit older at 22, but his skills are a little more polished. He is a solid two-way midfielder but exceeds better on the offensive end.
Right back Tim Kubel of Louisville grew up in the Borussia Dortmund academy and might be the best defensive prospect behind Georgetown’s Joshua Yaro.
Finally, Virginia’s Jake Rozhansky is among the many players Orlando City should consider too. Rozhansky is an attacking midfielder who could play out on the wings. That seems to be where there is a glut of talent and certainly would help fill a need for Orlando City.
The Lions should get a pretty good prospect in this year’s SuperDraft even at No. 7. The draft starts at 1 p.m. and is being streamed live on MLSSoccer.com.
