Orlando City’s ascendance to MLS has seemingly been nothing but a straight upward-moving line. Phil Rawlins brought the team from Austin, the team dominated USL PRO, won championships, built a fan base, impressed MLS enough to award a team and then made it to the big time.
In fact, Orlando City’s first year in MLS was probably the first major set back for the franchise since coming to Orlando. At least on the field. There were no championships and no playoffs. Adrian Heath and Rawlins even admitted the transition up to MLS was more difficult than it seemed.
This past offseason though did not provide much more clarity or confidence in the team. Orlando City hired a new general manager and director of soccer operations only to see him depart suddenly. The team let go of a popular assistant coach. And then a celebrated, and high-priced, signing has not delivered.
Orlando City’s expansion troubles seem to be a bit deeper than just on-the-field growing pains.
Graham Parker of ESPNFC reported there was some internal strife with the changes that occurred this summer:
Then came the decision to hire Armando Carneiro away from his position at Benfica’s academy in November to assume control of soccer operations, previously the domain of GM Paul McDonough. Carneiro, along with a handpicked team of associates, arrived and immediately began reviewing every aspect of technical operations. A few weeks later, McDonough was gone, to be gratefully snapped up by Atlanta as director of their soccer operations.
Back in Orlando, his former colleagues were left bristling and resentful at the sudden intrusion and instant culture clash with Carneiro. Many were left wondering whether they too were vulnerable in what appeared to be less a single personnel change and more of a whimsical cultural sea change led by an interfering owner.
It might be going too far to say Orlando City has an interfering owner. Rawlins has always been heavily involved in marketing the team as its public face, but Heath has been the soccer voice and direction. Things surely do not happen without his input getting seriously weighed.
But there is no doubt the offseason was tumultuous. It is not ideal having Rawlins and Heath manage all the soccer operations and decision making as the team tried to add pieces in the offseason and bring the team together.
The Nocerino signing has been frustrating to say the least as he has struggled pairing with Brek Shea on the left side. He has since been removed as a full-time starter after coming to much fan fare — and controversy — just before the season began.
The Julio Baptista signing was admittedly a risk that has panned out so far. The team has struggled to take a measurable step forward. The Lions are still a good and dangerous team, but clearly lacking something.
The team’s slow start to the season has raised some questions for Heath and his future with the team. Certainly there are more questions asked about Heath and his tactics than ever before. The Lions are under the microscope.
Orlando City sits at seventh place with 16 points. The team is just four points shy of first place in the Eastern Conference. Orlando City’s season is far from lost as the MLS table continues to be very cramped.
The team clearly has some work to do though as those four points seem much farther away. The Lions have gone just 2-5-0 at home. They are unbeaten, but not picking up wins like they needed to with this early part of the schedule. And there have been more than a few great escapes in the process.
Many of these questions will get answered once the season ends and the final result is in place. Orlando City still has its goals in front of them and can put this strange offseason behind them.
Pro Bowl, Miami Dolphins coming to Camping World Stadium
The NFL officially announced the 2017 Pro Bowl will be played in January at Camping World Stadium in Downtown Orlando. Orlando will reportedly host the next three Pro Bowls beginning in January 2017.
This news had been widely reported, but now it is official. The league’s all-star game will be the centerpiece for a week of events throughout Orlando including a 5K, a player motorcade through the Magic Kingdom, open practices at ESPN’s Wide World of sports and events throughout the city. The NFL will be moving in and setting up camp in Orlando throughout the week.
It is very exciting for a large market without a NFL team finally to get up close to the NFL and its stars.
Orlando residents will not have to wait too much longer either.
In addition to the Pro Bowl announcement, the Miami Dolphins announced their preseason home game against the Atlanta Falcons will be moved to Camping World Stadium on Aug. 25.
We will host the @AtlantaFalcons at @CWStadium on August 25th. pic.twitter.com/p2znoilZ22
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) June 1, 2016
The Dolphins’ stadium is currently undergoing renovations and will not be ready in time for the preseason matchup. The NFL said it would use this game as an opportunity to do something of a dry run for the Pro Bowl. The game will kick off at 8 p.m.
Florida Citrus Sports has said earlier this year they would like to host NFL games. This was before the Pro Bowl bids went out. It always seemed very likely Orlando could attract a preseason game to its stadium. That wish has certainly come together now with this new partnership with the NFL.
All of a sudden, Orlando and Camping World Stadium have a very packed and exciting football schedule for the fall.
Orlando Solar Bears set up offseason headquarters
Following ECHL comings and goings in the offseason can be difficult (trust me). There is not the intense coverage of minor league hockey that there is for the pros. And the ECHL being a development league there are definitely some rules to keep track of when it comes to making roster changes.
The Orlando Solar Bears though are here to help fans keep track of their team this offseason.
The Solar Bears released an offseason headquarters to help fans keep track of key dates and player movement throughout the upcoming season. Save this link.
June will be a busy month for sure.
The Solar Bears will have to submit their protected list Wednesday. This gives the Solar Bears exclusive negotiating rights with whoever is on this list. It does not include players sent to them through AHL or NHL contracts.
By the end of the month, the Solar Bears will have submitted qualifying offers to eligible players on their season-ending roster and pieced together the first part of their roster. They can begin signing players in June 15.
The full list of eligible players is available on that Solar Bears offseason central.
