You simply cannot take your eyes off Orlando City SC right now with off-season transfer activity beginning with a vengeance!
Recruiting Tesho Akindele on Sunday, the Lions announced their second signing in only three days with City acquiring Los Angeles FC defender João Moutinho in exchange for Mohamed El-Munir today.
Arriving at Orlando City Stadium following his first ever season of professional soccer where he made 14 MLS appearances for Bob Bradley’s LAFC, Portuguese João Moutinho is a straight swap for Mohamed El-Munir at left back.
Representing Los Angeles FC’s first overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, João Moutinho performed for Akron Zips at collegiate level before earning his big break in Major League Soccer.
An up-and-coming talent, João Moutinho is a younger and cheaper than the now departed Mohamed El-Munir and as a member of the 2018 Generation Adidas class, he won’t count against Orlando City SC‘s salary cap.
Freeing up an international spot while clearing a significant amount of dollars to boot, only time will tell whether João Moutinho can emulate the attacking intent of El-Munir in a purple shirt.
While Orlando City SC‘s team struggles were well documented this year, Mohamed El-Munir did actually produce the fourth most dribbles per game across all of MLS in 2018.
João Moutinho vs Mohamed El-Munir – a 2018 defensive comparison (Credit: © Andrew Sharp)
Now having lost one of our better players from a poor 2018 roster to LAFC, here’s what #OCTwitter are making of the trade.
As this article was being compiled, news also broke that Orlando City SC are trading Amro Tarek to New York Red Bulls in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft.
Huge mistake el-munir is one of the best LB in the league. Very very underrated.HUGE HUGE MISTAKE for a team that struggles to defend
— Quincey Rex Willis (@quincey_willis) December 11, 2018
Up and coming LB talent, younger, cheaper, no cap hit since he is a GA, and does not take an International Slot… frees a Intl Slot and clears $190k off the books… Sad to see Mo go, but a smart move…
— daguru (@daguru9) December 11, 2018
Like El-Mo but I like this move, keep cleaaning house.
— Matthew chimato (@kss813) December 11, 2018
So we trade a better LB for a younger and more promising one? Sounds good in theory, but is this LAFC unloading him because he was bad, or is this LAFC making a dumb move? I don’t know how to feel. pic.twitter.com/tqNoXO9LmC
— Cal Friedman (@friedman_cal) December 11, 2018
Plus what? Nobody in their right mind makes this a straight swap🤔
— Andrew🐝 (@JustAndrewNow) December 11, 2018
LAFC won that trade easily. El-Munir can get forward really well and can play multiple positions.
— Joshua J. Gershfield (@gershfield1) December 11, 2018
I really thought Moutinho had a ton of potential. Much more than El Munir.
— Fern Varela (@TheMightyFern) December 11, 2018
In my mind we cant be but 1 spot worse in the league. I liked El-Mo but new young guy with upside im all about it. Hoping we continue to make moves and clean house
— Matthew chimato (@kss813) December 11, 2018
Gutted to see El-Munir go, better option then Moutinho
— Harry Salvidge (@H_Salvidge14) December 11, 2018