It looks like it is time for Brek Shea to come home. After a disappointing stay in Europe, the winger appears to be coming back to MLS and to a new home: Orlando City SC.
According to an article written by Orlando Sentinel reporter Paul Tenorio the 24 year striker is close to signing a deal with the club. Shea had previously spent several weeks training with the club this past June.
What seems to be expediting his move is that his loan with English League Championship side Birmingham City expired on Sunday. Shea was on loan from Stoke City, where he signed a $4 million transfer deal back in January 2013.
But like many American players in Europe, Shea struggled to find time with the Potters. He has made only 5 appearances with Stoke and has spent most of his European career on loan, first with Barnsley in 2013-2014 and then with Birmingham this season.
There are two major reasons as to why Shea never really caught on with Stoke. The first is that the manager that signed him, Tony Pulis, left the club in May 2013. Very often fringe players that are signed by one manager are often discarded by the incoming manager. Although it makes sense ( a manager would want to bring in their own players,) it certainly has not helped Shea’s career.
The other reason is that he never really produced while he was on loan, which makes it difficult for a team to want to hold on to a winger that cannot score.
The drop off in production has been a disappointment for Shea, who was once seen as US Men’s National Team lock for years to come and an example that MLS can develop quality attackers. Before heading abroad, Shea had scored 19 goals over the span of five seasons with FC Dallas (2008-2012). He was a finalist for the league’s MVP award in 2011, where he scored 11 goals and tallied 4 assists.
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At that time he was also a fixture on the US MNT squad and has made over 27 appearances with Jurgen Klinsmann’s side. It was his goal that helped seal the victory for the United States over Panama in the 2013 Gold Cup.
There are two roadblocks that still need to be resolved for this deal to get through. First, a deal needs to be made between Orlando City and Stoke City. Aside from Shea previously training with the club, Orlando City’s President, Phil Rawlins, is a former director with Stoke. It also does not hurt that Shea’s former agent is the current General Manager with Orlando, Paul McDonough.
The other major impediment to a deal is the allocation order. Since Shea is a former US Men’s National Team player he is subject to the league’s allocation rules. Orlando City currently sits in second place behind NYCFC so they would need to make a trade with the club in order to secure Shea’s services.
Beyond the roadblocks, what does Shea bring to this team? At 24, he certainly still has the potential to be a quality winger in this league and Orlando City could certainly use him. The club’s best option right now for the outside midfield/winger position would be Pedro Ribeiro. Darwin Ceren would also be a viable candidate. But both of these players lack experience in MLS, which Shea has an abundance of.
So do you like the move by Orlando City? How does Shea fit in with their squad? Please let us know your thoughts!