In their four seasons in USL Pro, Orlando City Soccer Club always looked a class above the rest of the division. They won the regular season title three times while finishing as runners up once in addition to twice winning the USL Pro Playoff title. Due to this success and the incredible fan support they've experienced in Orlando, the Lions will be making the step up to MLS for the 2015 season. Let's take a look at some of the storylines that will be highlighted as we approach the new season.
Out of all the players that were brought in to this team over the offseason, the most exciting one is probably Kaka. The former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or Winner has won just about everything there is to win in world football, minus the World Cup. When Kaka is healthy and in the lineup he will undoubtedly be one of the best players in the league. Kaka is just the latest all-time great to go to the MLS late in his career, and will hope to emulate the success of David Beckham and Thierry Henry.
In addition to the excitement provided by the Kaka siging, Orlando signed USMNT winger Brek Shea from Stoke City. Shea began his career as a twinkle-toed winger with FC Dallas, but after attempting a move to England he struggled to even see the field let alone make an impact. However, Shea will return to MLS with a renewed vigor and will most likely be a starter on this young team.
In addition to those roster moves, the Philadelphia Union traded former 6th overall pick in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft Amobi Okugo to Orlando. Much was expected of him in Philadelphia, but Okugo struggled to make a real impact and he too will be looking for a fresh start in Florida.
However, after those roster moves the Orlando front office did not stop and they've continued adding pieces. When a team moves up to MLS, they are provided picks in an expansion draft and are awarded additional picks in the MLS SuperDraft. Through these avenues, they have selected Heath Pierce (Expansion Draft), Tally Hall (Expansion Draft), Tony Cascio (Expansion Draft) and chosen Cyle Larin first overall in the SuperDraft earlier this week. While all of those players have tremendous potential to add to the team, Larin may just be the pick of the bunch. The 19-year-old Canadian has been capped three times by his national team, and hasalready spurned offers from the Bundesliga and the Barclays Premier League to join Major League Soccer. After his stellar play over the last two seasons for the University of Connecticut is expected to contribute from day one.
Additionally, the Lions have looked to add players through more traditional routs. It is through these routs that they have secured the services of Jairo Arrieta from DC United.
The coaching staff is led by manager Adrian Heath, who signed a contract extension during the offseason which will keep him in Orlando for quite some time to come. The name will likely be familiar to some soccer fans across the world because of the Englishman's distinguished playing career. The man known as "Inchy" was a linchpin of Everton's dynasty in the 1980s, and he helped lead them to two English First Division titles (the precursor to the Barclays Premier League), one FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. Due to his past experiences and the success that Orlando has achieved in the lower leagues, he's hoping to make this team a contender quickly. Assistants Mark Watson, Ian Fuller and Marcus Machado round up the backroom staff. Watson is a recent addition, and the club seem excited by his hiring.
"As we continue to build our squad heading into our MLS debut, we are thrilled to add a coach of Mark’s caliber and experience to our staff,” said Heath in comments made to the club's official website. “Mark’s expertise complements our existing technical staff and we look forward to his contributions as we continue to build and prepare the team for our MLS debut.”
The MLS schedule was released a couple of weeks ago, and there are several dates on there which all Orlando fans will have circled. Without a doubt, the most exciting one is the season opener on March 15th, when they will face off with New York City Football Club at the Citrus Bowl. It will be not just their home opener, but it will be the maiden MLS fixture for both sides.
The two MLS debutants will make their league debuts on national television, and it will be a great opportunity for both sides to make a statement. Nearly two months later, on May 8, Orlando will take on the New England Revolution. It will provide an exciting early season test for the Lions as they will be provided an early season opportunity to test themselves against last season's Eastern Conference champions.
The biggest storyline of 2015 is that they are in their MLS infancy, and it will likely be baby steps at first for the former USL Pro champions. That being said, this is a team which already has lots of talent in place and they will undoubtedly be hoping to contend for a playoff spot.