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Orlando City: Orlando ready for major shakeups

By Jordan Jacobsen

KANSAS CITY, KS - SEPTEMBER 20: New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) before the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final between the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City on September 20, 2017 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, KS - SEPTEMBER 20: New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) before the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final between the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City on September 20, 2017 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. Sporting Kansas City won 2-1. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Orlando City has been linked with several intriguing players to replace Kaka, as well as being linked to MLS veterans along with a Cyle Larin departure.

After another disappointing Major League Soccer season, it seems Orlando City SC is ready to shake it up under head coach Jason Kreis. Despite having the third highest payroll in MLS, Orlando floundered most of the season, finishing second to last in the Eastern Conference, only ahead of DC United.

They haven’t sat around long. The decision to move on from nine other players along with the retiring Kara, including Antonio Nocerino and Giles Barnes, opening several roster spots and cap space, and even a Designated Player position. The club then signed MLS veteran RJ Allen from NYCFC along with NASL Golden Boot winner Stefano Pinho, who scored a hattrick with Miami FC as they knocked Orlando out of this year’s US Open Cup.

Orlando City is also reported finalizing a deal for 19-year-old Paraguayan midfielder, Josue Colman, which allegedly includes a transfer fee of near $3-million. Colman fits the recent mold of MLS teams signing young, promising South American talent who quickly make an impact.

More Rumors

Along with the signing of forward Stefano Pinho, the reports surrounding Cyle Larin and a move to Turkish side Besiktas are once again in full swing, although this time around it seems that Orlando City is finally willing to pull the trigger. Besiktas representatives are in Orlando to discuss a deal and with Dom Dwyer and Pinho looking like the likely starting pair in the Jason Kreis diamond formation, it seems now is the time to let Larin head overseas.

The most intriguing rumor is also the most recent. After being linked to MLS newcomers LAFC along with Minnesota United, MLS and USMNT veteran Sacha Kljestan is reportedly finalizing a deal to move to Orlando City in a trade from New York Red Bulls. Kljestan has been a midfield maestro since returning to MLS in 2015, finishing with 14, 20, and 17 assists in each of his three MLS seasons.

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Kljestan pulling the strings could finally open up the Orlando attack that only managed 39 goals last season, despite rostering significant firepower. More importantly, the 32-year-old Kljestan would not take up a Designated Player position. If Colman comes to fruition, a midfield of Colman, Kljestan, Carlos Rivas and last summer’s big signing Yoshimar Yotun could be what it takes to finally get Orlando City into the MLS postseason for the first time in their short history.

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