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As is customary in Major League Soccer, the league requests that clubs release protected player lists at the end of each campaign, and Orlando City SC did just that today.
With the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft taking place tomorrow, new boys FC Cincinnati start construction of their inaugural 2019 roster, but the Ohio franchise won’t be able to sign these 11 Lions stars.
The 11 players on Orlando City SC‘s 2018 protected list are new boy Tesho Akindele, Carlos Ascues, Josué Colmán, Dom Dwyer, Mohamed El-Munir, Adam Grinwis, Chris Mueller, Shane O’Neill, Uri Rosell, Amro Tarek and Yoshimar Yotún.
Automatically protected players are Cam Lindley and Mason Stajduhar as Homegrown Players.
That leaves R . J. Allen, Pierre da Silva, Will Johnson, Stéfano Pinho, Dillon Powers and Lamine Sané unprotected as well as Cristian Higuita – a veteran of 94 league appearances for the Lions – plus 2018 vice captain Sacha Kljestan.
Orlando City UK handpicked some of the best tweets following today’s club announcement.
My thoughts are this: Sacha is too expensive for what he didn’t create this season. Higuita is promising, but he’s expensive for how much he’s actually used and how. FCC is unlikely to take any of our players, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they surprise me…if that makes sense
— Samantha 💜🏴☠️ (@sammi921) December 10, 2018
Higuita should be saved and then used as a starter. The stats prove that we are a much better team when he is on the field. More wins and less goals conceded!
— Ted (@Essenceofjudas) December 10, 2018
There's no excuse in leaving Higuita unprotected.
— Evan Hunt (@evanhunt41) December 10, 2018
Leaving Sane and Higuita unprotected was a terrible idea🤦🏽♂️ especially Higuita
— Bryce Miller (@Brmill2) December 10, 2018
A Higuita-Mendunjanin midfield that’ll help get that ball up to Adi would be 🔥🔥🔥.. FCC has some big decisions to make
— Chris (@OrlandoCountySC) December 10, 2018
Higuita unprotected *sigh 😲 https://t.co/MuhErnXirh
— Moraima (@Moraima_4) December 10, 2018
Big #OCSC news – their 'Protected' and 'Unprotected' lists for the #ExpansionDraft are now out, and each of Kljestan, Sane AND Higuita are NOT protected. Be amazed if Cincinnati don't pick one of those. Full details here: https://t.co/hRBCkMTClN #VamosOrlando
— VenessTravelMedia (@VenessTravelMe1) December 10, 2018
The last 2 coaches just have never really taken to him..I don't get it. He will go elsewhere and kill it
— Patty Floyd 💜🦁⚽ (@PvalFloyd) December 10, 2018
I can’t believe they left Higuita out there. Let’s hope he doesn’t get picked
— Victor (@vicriv08) December 10, 2018
Surprised about Sacha but don't mind. Might give a hint of where the team wants to go going foward. Hoping Cincinnati takes Sané away (too $$$). Not happy leaving Higuita out. Would rather see Uri out before "The Midfield Pit Bull".
— Saint-oo7 (@RocketMan_oo7) December 10, 2018
I'll buy @fccincinnati a pair of @OrlandoCitySC season tickets if they take Will Johnson off our hands!
— Nik Williamson (@NikWilliamson) December 10, 2018