Last season, the Lions demonstrated to the MLS how solid their attack was. Netting 55 goals, Orlando City was the third most scoring team in 2016, just behind New York City FC and New York Redbulls. Reviewing Orlando City’s final third of the field, we notice different types of players.
Kaka works as “the director of the orchestra.” With his experience, he runs Orlando City’s attack and represents those kinds of players that even though they might have a bad day, they can turn the match around with one assist or goal.
Perez Garcia is the gazelle on the side. His speed gives the surprising fact that thrashes defenses as he quickly appears behind the defensive line and provides a chance to score. Matias’ educated foot and ball control making not only a roadrunner but a talented player with the ball. He is one of those players people can rely on for corners and free-kicks.
Last but certainly not the least, Larin. The Vieri-esque forward is in charge of putting the ball inside the net. Larin’s physical attributes are making him a tank, one of those forwards we do not see much nowadays. Scoring 14 goals in 2016, the Canadian showed that although his young age, he has the mind of a killer 30-year-old striker.
In the center midfield, everyone expects more from Nocerino. The Italian defender is far away from his glory days at A.C Milan. Every fan wants to see the Nocerino that score volleys from outside the box. Those days he had Ibrahimović that received the balls and gave the back pass for him to score. However, if he gets to establish that connection with Cyle Larin, Orlando City will have a prolific center midfield.
As solid as Orlando City was attacking, they were equally disastrous defending. The Lions conceived more goals (60) than any other team in 2016. That is one of the problems that the newly arrived coach, Jason Kreis, has addressed since his arrival.
The signing of the U.S Men’s National Team defender, Jonathan Spector, will help Orlando increase its number of clean sheets. Not only his gifted ability to defend will be useful, but also how players like Ramos, Aja, or Redding will improve their game just by playing alongside an experienced defender like Spector.
Aside Spector, Danny Toia was another incorporation to the back-line of the Orlando side. The polyvalent defender is happy to reunite with his former coach, Kreis, and is looking forward for next season. He will most likely play as a left-back, but he also can easily play on both sides of the field.
Honestly, Orlando City has improved a lot since its first season in MLS. Qualifying for the playoffs is not an easy task, it is a long season, and player rotation is essential. Therefore, it is important to have not only a solid team on the field, but also on the bench, as well. If coach Kreis solves the problems in the defensive aspect of the team, Orlando City will contend for qualification to the playoffs. People must remember that this is Orlando City’s third season and has already been one of the most scoring teams in the league. I see this team as an under-construction wall, brick by brick, day by day, it will slowly become an unbreakable fortress.
On March 5th, Orlando City will look forward to starting the season with the right foot gaining three points and beating their rivals, New York City FC.