14 bargain buys Orlando City SC should be closely monitoring this off-season

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Orlando City SC endured their worst season in MLS in 2018 and will be looking at the transfer window to at the very least continue the rebuild that began under Jason Kreis last off-season, and at most, completely start over again.

Last week we discovered who had been retained by the club and who is exiting Orlando City Stadium with gaps appearing in certain positions, particularly at goalkeeper and right back. Continue reading

Just how bad was Orlando City SC’s 2018 MLS campaign?

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The 2018 season was a bad one for Orlando City SC but just how bad was it?

We compared a multitude of stats against ten other of the worst campaigns in Major League Soccer history. Continue reading

Five Orlando City SC takeaways from the 2018 MLS Players Salary Guide

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This week the MLS Players Association published an updated version of the 2018 player salaries, the first since the close secondary transfer window and final roster freeze in September.

Headlines included high-profile D.C. United acquisition Wayne Rooney becoming the league’s ninth highest paid player at $2.78m, one of a record 53 millionaires now plying their trade in North America. Continue reading

Is it time for Orlando City SC to #PlayYourKids?

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Ever since the USMNT’s infamous collapse in qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the movement has been rumbling on strongly stateside

With additional conversations surrounding youth development within Major League Soccer, the youth landscape of Orlando City SC has seen two significant milestones this week. Continue reading

Are Orlando City SC experiencing fitness issues?

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As reported by Orlando Sentinel’s Jordan Culver recently, Orlando City SC will this week take their practices to noted training destination IMG Academy in Bradenton, using the state-of-the-art facilities to focus on fitness.

The decision comes days after the hire of Venezuelan fitness director Isaac Ramos following the departure of Dave McKay who had been with the club since 2015. Continue reading

Orlando City SC’s pick ‘n’ mix defence leaves a sour taste

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On Saturday, Orlando City SC battled to rescue a 3–3 draw at home to playoff qualification rivals New England Revolution (if you still consider us to be in the hunt), only our fourth point out of the last possible 42.

Over those 14 games the Lions have been outscored 40-15 and with a league-high 2.35 goals conceded per game, Orlando City SC are on pace to end on 80 which would obliterate the previous MLS record of 70 set by a leaky Minnesota United in their 2017 debut season. Continue reading

Orlando City SC exit: The curious case of Justin Meram

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Justin Meram’s difficult spell with Orlando City SC is over. The 29-year-old was officially traded back to Columbus Crew yesterday in exchange for $750,000 in Targeted Allocation Money and a 2019 international roster spot.

The deal, in isolation, is very good business for Orlando City SC. Continue reading

2018 MLS All-Star Game: Is THIS the best 20-man salary budget squad?

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The 2018 MLS All-Star Game roster is, as always, packed full of the league’s biggest stars. They are key pieces in their teams, they put bums on seats and as a result, they get paid the big bucks.

Of the 28 total players chosen, twelve are current Designated Players and a further eight have had their most recent contracts bought down using allocation money. Continue reading

15 free agents Orlando City SC should be keeping a close eye on

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Free agents are the bread and butter of every self-respecting Football Manager bargain hunter and can really help to boost a squad at minimal expense.

With Orlando City SC’s rather slack transfer outlay and little room to manoeuvre with the salary cap, it appears real life is no different. Continue reading

Transfer needs: What does the table tell Orlando City SC?

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With Jason Kreis‘ one-year anniversary having passed on July 19th, it seems as good a time as any to assess how far Orlando City SC have come under his guidance.

As this post is written, the Lions currently find themselves two points outside the 2017 MLS Cup qualification spots having previously been above the red line all season long. Continue reading