2015 MLS SuperDraft Class: Mid-Season Report
If you haven’t heard of Cyle Larin, you must have been under a rock somewhere with your hands over your ears.
What the young Canadian has been accomplishing this season is astounding. He has 11 goals in 19 appearances, by far leading all rookies and his club, the latter of which is impressive considering Orlando City boasts Brazilian superstar Kaka, who is the highest-paid player in the league.
When Larin finds the back of the net one more time, he will set the record for rookie goal scoring with 12 goals. Orlando has nine more regular season games and something tells me the Canadian will break the record convincingly.
These recent tweets about the rookie speak for themselves;
Cyle Larin with two shots both blocked, hard to believe he's a rookie
— Brendan Murphy (@mrbrendanmurphy) August 6, 2015
Larin looks like Jameis Winston out there. There's no way he's only 6'2". #TORvORL
— Tyler (@TylerHGray) August 6, 2015
If he continues this pace throughout his professional career, the impact he could have on the MLS record book would be devastating. That is, assuming he stays in MLS.
The league has had trouble holding on to top end talent that was developed in North America. Names such as Tim Howard, Maurice Edu and DeAndre Yedlin come to mind. Even the current holder of the rookie scoring record, Damani Ralph, was strongly perused by European clubs and eventually signed with Russian side Rubin Kazan.
But for now, let’s just admire what a truly special player is doing as a greenhorn.
Next: 2000 Canadian CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions Reflect 15 Years Later