Molino embraces the Number 10.

[reggae-fan]

It should be a tie!

Only problem is that it appears they had only on trophy to hand out at the presentation ceremony!

[Deeks]

It should be a tie!

Only problem is that it appears they had only on trophy to hand out at the presentation ceremony!

Cut it in half!!!!

[lucky4life]

LOL

[Spursy]

Orlando City completes trades; Stage 1 re-entry draft held Friday
The Lions officially sent defender Jalil Anibaba to Sporting Kansas City as a part of the deal for defender Aurélien Collin. Orlando City also shipped forward Mark Sherrod to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for their second round pick in the 2015 SuperDraft, and traded defender Eric Gehrig to the Chicago Fire for a second round pick in the 2016 SuperDraft.

Orlando City officials discuss MLS Expansion Draft
Orlando City holds news conference for MLS Expansion Draft with head coach Adrian Heath and Vice President of Operations Paul McDonough.
Orlando City now has 20 players on its roster for the 2015 season: goalkeepers Tally Hall and Donovan Ricketts; defenders Luke Boden, Tommy Redding, Tyler Turner, Rafael Ramos, Heath Pearce and Collin; midfielders Darwin Cerén, Kaká, Kevin Molino, Harrison Heath, Estrela, Tony Cascio, Amobi Okugo, Lewis Neal and Pedro Ribeiro; and forwards Bryan Róchez, Jairo Arrieta and Danny Mwanga. 

 
 

[Spursy]

Brek Shea poised to transfer to Orlando City, return to MLS
Brek Shea is coming back to MLS, and this time he’ll be wearing Orlando City purple.

Orlando City is finalizing a move to sign the U.S. winger from Stoke City, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the move. The transfer, expected to be completed in the coming days, will bring back the former Major League Soccer All-Star and Best XI selection and could reinvigorate the career of a top U.S. prospect.

The dynamic left-footed midfielder adds even more star power to Orlando City’s lineup.

Shea spent several weeks training with the Lions this summer and impressed Orlando City coach Adrian Heath during that stint.

“I can’t hide the fact that I’ve enjoyed working with him and seeing him close up,” Heath told MLSsoccer.com in June. “You can look at players from afar but you really only get to know what they’re like when you see them this close up. The one thing that’s very apparent is the size and the power and the pace… It gives us an idea of what some of the players are like at the next level.”

 

Shea, who will turn 25 in February, spent the past two-plus seasons in England at Stoke City, where he failed to make much of an impact. The Texan made just five appearances with the Potters since making a $4 million move from FC Dallas in January 2013, including three last season and none this year.

The move to Europe was fraught with hiccups for Shea.

Tony Pulis, who brought Shea to Stoke, left the club in May 2013. Injuries made the transition tougher, and Shea spent much of his time overseas on loan, playing in eight games with Barnsley in 2013-14 – a loan spell that ended in some controversy, when he made an offensive gesture while trying to restrain a teammate from confronting a fan. He also spent six games this season with Birmingham City, where he played 246 minutes. That loan ended Saturday.

 
 
Despite those struggles, Shea immediately gives Orlando City a domestic star who will be coming home looking to prove a point – and work his way back into Jurgen Klinsmann’s U.S. national team squad.

Shea played 98 regular season games in five seasons with FC Dallas from 2008 to 2012, making 78 starts and scoring 19 goals with 14 assists. He was an MLS MVP finalist in 2011 when he recorded 11 goals and four assists.


The left-footed midfielder also has 27 caps with the U.S. national team and looked like a big piece of Klinsmann’s plans in 2011 and 2012, when he made 14 appearances with the senior squad. Shea was a part of the U.S. team that won the Gold Cup in 2013, but after seeing limited minutes with Stoke City, he was left out of Klinsmann’s 30-man preliminary World Cup roster this summer.

The midfielder was last called up to the U.S. team in September and played 27 minutes in a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in Prague.

Shea has ties to Orlando City that likely helped facilitate his move to the club.

Stoke City and Orlando City have an informal relationship through Lions’ president Phil Rawlins, a former director of the English Premier League club. Orlando City general manager Paul McDonough also used to represent Shea as an agent, and Shea’s time training with the Lions fostered a relationship between Heath and the midfielder.

“Obviously, the fact that Brek is playing in the Premier League, financially he’s earning a lot of money,” Heath told MLSsoccer.com in June. “But I would be lying if I didn’t think it gives us a great opportunity at looking at a player that over the next few years might want to come back to MLS. The fact that we have a relation with him would stand us in good stead down the road if it did get to that stage.”

In an interview with Sports Illustrated in September, Shea considered the prospect of returning to MLS.

“When I was younger, the first European club that jumped at me, obviously I wanted to sign,” Shea told SI's Brian Straus. “We see the highlight shows and it looks like the greatest thing in the world. Now that I’ve been over here and seen it, I realize you’ve got to fight for the right opportunity, the right team, the right players – instead of just the first opportunity.

“I’d be excited to go back [to MLS] because that’s where I made my name and I had success there, but I want to prove that I can play here. If I left without doing that, I would be very frustrated with myself. I want to give it another shot.”

After adding Aurélien Collin and Amobi Okugo last Monday via trade and then seven more prospects in the expansion draft, Orlando City is now bringing in another key piece to its inaugural MLS roster.

[Spursy]

Stories of the Year: New York City FC, Orlando City make huge splashes with international stars

Orlando City president Phil Rawlins said it all while introducing Brazilian star Kaka as the expansion club’s first Designated Player.

“Today,” he said, “we put MLS on notice.”

Those bold words effectively summed up what was a wild month of June for MLS’s 2015 expansion teams. Kaka’s signing came on the heels of New York City FC adding two of their own megastars in English legend Frank Lampard and Spain’s all-time leading scorer, David Villa, and suddenly the league had three new marquee names gearing up for 2015.

Not only were the three signings evidence that there is nothing “expansion” about NYCFC and Orlando, but it also ratcheted up the MLS arms race for some of the world’s best players.

For the respective clubs, the players have already begun making their impacts.

Hundreds of supporters at the Orlando airport greeted Kaka, the 32-year-old former FIFA World Player of the Year and 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil, with a rockstar-like reception. The signing culminated a lengthy flirtation sparked by Kaka’s previous business relationship with Orlando City co-owner Flavio Augusto da Silva and energized an already rabid fan base from the outgoing USL PRO side.

It’s clear that adding a household name from Brazil and Europe – where he starred at AC Milan and Real Madrid – was not only a shot across the league’s bow, but also a step toward transforming Orlando City into an international brand.

"We not only brought a Brazilian superstar, we brought a world superstar," Rawlins said.

For New York City FC, there’s no questioning the impact and relevance  that Lampard and Villa bring to a market that has been home to French legend Thierry Henry for four years.

"We’re incredibly excited to be where we are today, and we truly believe there’s no player more fitting to be a New York City FC player and a perfect first signing for our club,” NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna said at the time. “David ticked off all the boxes – he scores goals, creates goals, he leads the line up front and he’s a leader. Where he’s at in his career, playing at the highest level, for us it was an easy fit.”

Lampard followed later that month, giving NYCFC two players they say are the complete package, providing name recognition, talent and leadership. They give head coach Jason Kreis – who left Real Salt Lake after the 2013 season to learn the ropes with Manchester City for a year – two key pieces for his high-pressure system.

“I came to this club thinking about what a terrific opportunity it could be. Now I’m seeing that starting to come to its fruition,” Kreis said. “To have the opportunity to work with a player like Frank Lampard and a player like David Villa is like a dream come true for a coach like myself.”

Though it has not all gone completely according to plan – Reyna is in England right now trying to learn when Lampard will join the club next season – it’s clear neither club is interested in bringing in empty jerseys.

Lampard is still thriving in England while on loan with Chelsea, and Villa suited up for Spain at the World Cup for the third consecutive cycle.

“We’re here to play serious soccer,” Lampard said this summer, “and to try to win something.”

[Spursy]

Forget Dwyer, Orlando City Has Its Own Star
By Sean Rollins (themaneland.com)

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dom Dwyer will not be returning to the City Beautiful, but that's OK, because Orlando City already has its own star man.
While many Orlando City fans may be disappointed that Dom Dwyer will not be returning to the City Beautiful, they should remember there is already a star in town.

In 2013, the partnership between Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City and USL Pro club Orlando City resulted in SKC loaning four players to the Lions. One of those four players was SKC’s 2012 first-round draft pick Dom Dwyer. In his half season loan in Orlando, Dwyer scored 15 goals in just 13 games. He returned later that year for the USL Pro Championship game, scoring four goals and leading the club to its second championship in three years. He remains a very popular figure around the club.

With Orlando City approaching its MLS debut, many purple-clad fans have been clamoring for a return of Dwyer to Central Florida. However, those hopes were seemingly dashed on Saturday night, when SKC CEO Robb Heineman tweeted that the club was close to an agreement that will keep the striker in Kansas City for at least the next three years. While many Orlando City fans were disappointed by the news, this development should awaken some supporters of the Lions to the fact that there’s been a somewhat underappreciated star here all along.

In 2011, Orlando City Soccer Club began play as an expansion club in USL Pro. The owners of the club came in with the lofty goal of entering MLS in three to five years. This ambitious group planned on achieving this goal by building a strong local fan base and winning. In its inaugural season, Orlando City built a team that would go on to win the USL Pro regular season title and the USL Pro Championship, and send several players to MLS.

While three players on that team -- Yordany Alvarez, Lawrence Olum, and Lewis Neal -- would move on to MLS after just one season, the Lions had two players on that team that would become key parts of the club’s future success. One of those players was a 20-year-old kid from Trinidad and Tobago named Kevin Molino.

In just four short years, Molino rose from relative obscurity to a much sought after player. After the 2012 season he was given trials at Dutch power PSV Eindhoven and Belgium club Zulte Waregem, and multiple MLS clubs inquired about the young midfielder. Following another strong season in 2013, the star was offered an MLS contract by 2014 Supporters Shield winners Seattle Sounders FC. Luckily for Orlando City, Molino decided to turn down the offer, play one more season of USL Pro, and enter MLS with the club that brought him to the United States.

When Orlando City takes the field in March for its first MLS game, there will be a 24-year-old to the right of Kaká that is deep within the DNA of Orlando City SC. He was there when many questioned whether professional soccer could work in central Florida. He experienced the achievement of two trophies in the club’s first year, the disappointment of the NYCFC announcement, and the exhilaration when Orlando City was selected for MLS expansion. Dwyer will always be remembered for that incredible half season in 2013 but he will never have the impact, and shouldn’t have the affection, that Molino deserves from Orlando City fans.

Dwyer has become a star in MLS for Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City fans can take joy in the fact that their club helped develop him, but Kevin Molino is going to become a star in the league as well. However, unlike with the former, Molino has been with the club since its first competitive game. He was intimately involved with the growth of the club and its entrance into MLS.

So, while Dwyer will continue to be popular among the Orlando City faithful for those few months, don’t let that dim the light on the star that has shone brightly for four years and will continue to burn in the years to come.

[Spursy]

"Molino - A Touch of Class"
(By SWO_FAN SWO)
 
 Humble, hard working and consistent- some of the attributes of the number 10 Trinidad and Tobago midfielder. While there is little known about the silky smooth "small man" what is known - is the quality on the pitch. Scoring four goals in the CFU this year and narrowly missing a fifth in the finals itself blasting wide - Molino gives the fans hope for the future.

Loyalty
 "Following another strong season in 2013, the star (Molino) was offered an MLS contract by 2014 Supporters Shield winners Seattle Sounders FC. Luckily for Orlando City, Molino decided to turn down the offer, play one more season of USL Pro, and enter MLS with the club that brought him to the United States." -Sean Rollins.

Fun to Watch
Neat little flicks, darting runs into space with loads of energy Molino mesmerizes the supporters in Orlando City stadium.

Guaranteed a spot
Orlando City SC announced on January 10, 2014, that midfielder Kevin Molino will mark the club’s first-ever Major League Soccer (MLS) signing for the inaugural 2015 season. Molino is guaranteed a spot on Orlando’s 2015 MLS squad, and will also play in the final USL PRO season under Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath in 2014.

Top Perfomer
Molino has been a top performer for the Lions since the club began operations three years ago. The winger was USL PRO’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2012. In total, Molino has played more than 4,200 regular-season minutes for Orlando, notching 13 assists from 2011-13. That mark is tied for a franchise-record alongside Midfielder Jamie Watson.

Vital Contributor
The midfielder has proved himself a vital contributor to Heath’s playing system over the past three years, especially in the final third. The creative-minded Molino has caused headaches for opposing defenses throughout his career in the USL PRO, and will be a key component for the Lions in 2014 and 2015.

Fans Favorite
Molino has become a fan favorite as he continues to work hard - not only on the pitch but online as well. He always have a minute to say hello, like comments or even a short chat on facebook unlike his counterpart Kenwyne Jones.

[palos]

Molino has become a fan favorite as he continues to work hard - not only on the pitch but online as well. He always have a minute to say hello, like comments or even a short chat on facebook unlike his counterpart Kenwyne Jones.

That's f**ked up and unnecessary

Kenwyne Jones doh even play for Orlando. 

[Dinner Mints]

Molino has become a fan favorite as he continues to work hard - not only on the pitch but online as well. He always have a minute to say hello, like comments or even a short chat on facebook unlike his counterpart Kenwyne Jones.

That's f**ked up and unnecessary

Kenwyne Jones doh even play for Orlando. 

He post some kinda outta de blue slam piece in de Kenwyne thread too. Like a bee get in his bonnet this morning.

[Tallman]

Molino has become a fan favorite as he continues to work hard - not only on the pitch but online as well. He always have a minute to say hello, like comments or even a short chat on facebook unlike his counterpart Kenwyne Jones.

Kenwyne has something on his Facebook page which he tries to do on Mondays called Ask Me Anything, where fans are encouraged to ask him a question on any topic even if it's not related to football.

[Spursy]

Orlando City announce multi-year television broadcast partnership with local station FOX 35

On Wednesday, Orlando City announced a multi-year broadcasting partnership with local TV station FOX 35, whose family of networks will serve as the exclusive English-language local broadcast home for the Lions.

The agreement provides FOX 35 and WRBW MY65 with telecast rights to all Orlando City regular-season and playoff matches not aired by MLS's national television partners.
"This is a landmark day for Orlando City fans," Orlando president Phil Rawlins in a club statement. "We look forward to working closely with our partners at FOX 35 to create not only a first-class broadcast for our fans, but additional in-market promotions and opportunities to bring them closer to their club and the players on the field."

Orlando City are one of two expansion sides, along with New York City FC, set to make their MLS debuts when the 2015 season opens in March. Orlando expect to announce local radio and Spanish-language television partners in the near future.