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MLS stock report and preview: Eastern Conference

By Joshua Bowers

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls) /
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LISBON, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 3: Nani of Sporting CP in action during the Liga NOS match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 3, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 3: Nani of Sporting CP in action during the Liga NOS match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 3, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) /

Orlando City — 28 pts

Stock Up

Key Additions: F Nani, F T.Akindele, D S.ONeill, M S.Mendez, D J.Moutinho, D D.Acosta, D Ruan

Key Losses: M Y.Yotun, D S.Sutter, D J.Spector, G J.Bendik, D M. El-Munir, D A.Tarek

Boy, Orlando City SC aren’t making this easy are they? They finished 2018 with the second-fewest points in the league (only San Jose was below them) and also had a larger negative goal differential last season (-31) than points (28).

Orlando’s biggest addition is Portuguese winger, Nani. He is past his prime at 32 years old, but still has plenty left in the tank. He scored eight goals with five assists for Sporting Lisbon this year, before signing with Orlando City in the last week. Nani could become one of the most prolific scorers in the Eastern Conference. He can play on either wing, or even up top in MLS. He is not as quick as he was in his prime, but he can still score goals and will be a dangerous weapon unlike the other options Orlando City have.

Orlando City sold their best player, Yotun, and lost three members of their starting backline, Sutter, El-Munir, and Tarek (not to mention their goalkeeper, Joe Bendik). Changes had to be made to the defense. No team gave up more goals than them, 74. However, the necessary defensive additions have not been brought in. Danilo Acosta and Joao Moutinho are a pair of promising left-backs. They both have the potential to be great attacking full-backs someday but neither is a lock to be even an average full-back in MLS this year. It’s doubtful Shane O’Neill is the savior at center-back. There is little chance the defense could be worse than last year, and a line of Ruan, Carlos Ascues, Lamine Sane, Acosta could be a league average unit.

The Purple Lions have brought in central midfielder Jhegson Mendez to replace Yotun. That’s a good signing. I think Mendez will be a good player. Orlando also has Uri Rosell, Cristian Higuita, and Will Johnson at the position.  I’ve always been a fan of Higuita and believe he is an important player for this team. Central midfield will be worse than last year, though, ecause of Yotun’s absence, but that hurt will be minimized if Mendez is a success.

Despite all of the above, Orlando City will outperform the 2018 version of the club. There is plenty of attacking quality on this team. Chris Mueller and Josue Colman will take a step forward; Colman will be looking to break out following a disappointing debut season. Sacha Kljestan can be better. There’s a chance this could be Pierre da Silva’s year to breakthrough. Nani is now in the fold. If those players perform better, Dom Dwyer will also be more productive. Orlando City are far from a playoff team, but they severely underachieved last season, and should be better.

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