Embed from Getty Images

Time for a new feature here at Orlando City UK and we’re calling it “Whatever Happened To?”.

Functioning as a reflection on some of the players who simply didn’t hit it off as Lions for whatever reason, we place the spotlight on what they did (or rather didn’t do) in an Orlando City SC jersey while providing an update on what they can be found doing nowadays.

So in instalment number one, we shift our focus to Adam Bedell.

Remember him?

First impressions

I recall watching Orlando City SC’s US Open Cup fixture against the side we now love to hate – Columbus Crew – at the end of June last year on a live stream at an ungodly hour here in the UK.

While Crew caught our Lions on a real bad day in Ohio in the first meeting of last season – a 3-0 loss at MAPFRE Stadium in April 2015 where the red mist descended over Rafael Ramos – fortunately first-half goals from Kaká and Carlos Rivas saw them off 2-0 as revenge in this cup fixture.

But yes, as a UK fan sussing out exactly who each and every player was across MLS at that stage, Columbus Crew’s starting forward Adam Bedell stuck out right away, mainly due to the fact that the striker stands at 6 ft 7 in, yes SIX foot, SEVEN inches tall!

Peter Crouch-like height right?

Surely the tallest player in all of Major League Soccer last term? Somebody would need to confirm that!

But after the beanpole forward was withdrawn for Romain Gall at the start of the second-half after a lack of impact, it was a case of “oh, that guy” when he eventually rocked up as an Orlando City SC player just one month later.

Deadline Day 2015

Back on August 6th, 2015, Major League Soccer teams were scrambling to add some last ditch reinforcements ahead of a busy period which would in reality, either make or break their goals for the campaign.

While fellow mid-season signings Corey Ashe, Servando Carrasco, David Mateos and Adrian Winter enjoyed sustained spells in Adrian Heath‘s team, it just wasn’t meant to be for Adam Bedell.

The Michigan native actually failed to make a SINGLE appearance in the Lions’ matchday squad, let alone out on the pitch.

So just over 60 days after taking to the field against Orlando City SC at the Citrus Bowl for Columbus Crew in the US Open Cup, it was already the beginning of the end for Bedell who signed a loan deal with Danish First Division side HB Køge until December 31st, 2015.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda?

Perhaps Adam Bedell may have stuck around in the Orlando City SC fraternity for longer had he joined this season, what with the establishment of Anthony Pulis’ Orlando City B in USL.

Actually scoring a hat-trick on his debut for HB Køge in a Danish Cup fixture, Bedell’s first impressions in Europe were good, albeit at an inferior level to Major League Soccer.

Signed as youthful back-up to Cyle Larin, Bedell’s short and not so sweet Lions career was officially over at the end of the 2015 MLS campaign as nine Orlando City SC players were released, including Tally Hall (*sobs*)!

And now?

Adam Bedell is still currently a free agent at present following his temporary spell in Denmark and judging by Twitter, he’s making the most of it by checking in at a local Ohio cheese-steak chow-down recently!

And to be honest, who can beat one of those… even if they come from Columbus!!

It’s always good seeing these studs! Thank you for stopping in @ajbedell4 @brad_stuver pic.twitter.com/2FWLGCD2dQ

— Rodrigo Castro (@CastroNotFidel) March 11, 2016