The Orlando Magic are expecting a fair amount of change. A new coach will do that.
Frank Vogel has talked a lot about what he plans to do with this Magic team. He wants them to play up tempo and go quickly. But mostly, Vogel wants his team to play staunch defense. That will be the foundation for everything the team does.
Vogel believes whole-heartedly with his principles and teaching method he can turn the Magic into a strong defensive team. It will be a big transformation as Scott Skiles said many of the same things entering last season. A transformation still has to take place.
There are several things Vogel is going to have to harness to make the Magic a strong defensive team, as Kyle Williams wrote for Orlando Magic Daily earlier this week.
Vogel’s Pacers team changed dramatically from Vogel’s first five years to his last year as his team picked up its pace offensively. But his team’s defense never wavered. They maintained a tough-nosed mentality on the defensive end and were tough to score on.
Whether it was forcing turnovers or just challenging shots, Vogel found a way to get the most out of all his teams defensively.
This edition of Vogel’s defense is likely to be more similar to the Pacers team from last year. That team finished third in the league in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) and did so in ways that were extremely different than his previous teams, making it all the more impressive.
The Pacers last year were among the league leaders in points off turnovers and forcing turnovers. It helped charge their offense and fast-break style last year. The defense and the offense will have to go hand in hand.
The Magic’s defense last year improved incrementally. The team finished 17th in the league in defensive rating, a big improvement from the year before. But even watching the team, it was clear there were issues defensively.
Whether it was simply poor execution of a system or a system that was just mediocre at best, the Magic did not seem to hit their defensive ceiling last year. Or that is the hope, at least.
The Magic will be learning something entirely new when training camp comes around in October. It is unclear if they will fit the new defensive style. Vogel has always been able to adjust.
One thing is certain though. Things will be different. Vogel has always delivered a strong defense even as his teams shifted.
Shorthanded Orlando Pride fall in Kansas City
The Orlando Pride, like their brethren, became victims of the international window and call ups. With the U.S. National Team preparing to play this weekend, Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris were not available and off the pitch. Lauren Alleway and Kristen Edmonds were also out with their international teams.
For the first time, Orlando was without its big stars. Tom Sermanni and the team had to scramble to fill out the lineup. The result was always going to be unsure.
And it proved that way as the Pride’s win streak ended and clean sheet ended in a 2-0 loss to Kansas City FC. As Michael Citro of The Mane Land described it, it was a “mostly listless effort.”
That certainly seems like a game where the team was down its best players.
Brazil call up a ‘big surprise’ for Kaka
Kaka will be taking the pitch at Camping World Stadium next weekend, but he will not be wearing purple. In fact, he will not be wearing purple Sunday when Orlando City takes on New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
Kaka was a late addition to the Brazil national team that will compete in the Copa America Centenario beginning next week. He has not been a staple of the national team in recent years, and this will actually be his first time in Copa America.
It was a surprising call up, Kaka told Simon Veness of MLSSoccer.com. But he welcomes the challenge, even though it will take him away from Orlando City for a while.
“Every time I go to the national team it’s good, but this one is different because it was a big surprise,” Kaka said. “I didn’t expect it, so it was fun. Now I am 34 and still playing for the national team. It is a big thing for me. I am so happy. I don’t know how long I can play for, but I am fit and ready to play as many games as I can.
“This is very good because I have never played Copa America before, and playing the first one here in the US and in Orlando, it will be the first time in my career I will be playing for the national team in my own stadium in front of my own supporters. It’s going to be awesome for me, a great, great experience.”
Kaka and Brazil will play at Camping World Stadium against Haiti on June 8.
The tournament will conclude June 26. If Brazil makes it to the final, Kaka would miss three games. Orlando City gets an abbreviated international break next weekend. That certainly helps them playing without Kaka, their best player.
