With Orlando City set to take on Columbus at home for the third time this year, there’s an abundance of topics to cover and discuss. We thought we’d bring all of those topics straight to you like the multi-functional MLS news service that we are.
The Old Revolving Door
After the inevitable trades that included Corey Ashe, Amobi Okugo, and Servando Carrasco, we always knew there would, subsequently, be more moves in store for the Lions. Sure enough, Wednesday, the signings of Adrian Winter and David Mateos were announced and on the next day Donovan Ricketts departed the club for the LA Galaxy via trade. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel reports Sean St. Ledger has been released from the club.
So, what does all of this mean for the Lions? Unless a goalkeeper signing is on the horizon, it looks as though Earl Edwards Jr. will be Orlando’s new backup keeper. More importantly, it’s increasingly becoming more unlikely that we see a designated player signing in this transfer window. With Mateos and Winter signed, it seems as though Orlando are investing in less expensive alternatives who can provide more depth and quality.
What can we expect from Mateos and Winter? David Mateos is a 6’3″, roughly 181 pound centreback with immense strength, a good understanding of the game, and a solid technique in different aspects of the game. He even took a considerable amount of set pieces for his former club, Ferencvaros, in Hungary. The 28 year old Spaniard could be pegged to start alongside Aurelien Collin in the center of defense.
As for Adrian Winter, at 29, Orlando find another option who can contribute to the attacking midfield corps. He may not add as much as David Mateos but the potential to help the side is certainly there.
Stadium News, Jono Miklos, and the Columbus Crew
In case you dwell in a Sadam Hussein-esque bunker or just didnt catch the big news, new stadium details were released causing a buzz throughout Orlando Friday.
Elsewhere, in less cheerful news, Iron Lion Firm member, Jono Miklos is experiencing health issues. However, there is some particularly beautiful news on this front as the Orlando City community has raised more than $8,000 of a $10,000 goal. You can pledge additional support to Miklos here.
Perhaps we could see some sort of tribute for Miklos at the Citrus Bowl as Orlando face Columbus tonight. This evening’s match is particularly important as Orlando City continue to fall down the Eastern Conference table. They currently sit in eighth place, level on points with New York City FC.
Rafael Ramos and Cristian Higuita are likely to be brought back into the starting eleven fold as Adrian Heath will look to rebound from Orlando’s wretched four game winless streak.
(image property of Austin Farrow)
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