Heath looking to add former MLS players to 2014 squad

By Valencia Voice

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — If you have followed Orlando City SC’s run in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, then you may have noticed how their roster stacks up against the other squads playing in the preseason tournament. 

Not physically, but in size of depth. 

“We’re going to wait and see which players maybe drop out of the MLS over the next few weeks, and they gotta be roster compliant, so we’ll see where we are,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath told reporters after Saturday’s 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC. “We are a little bit thin, we gotta bring one or two players in.”

The Lions active roster for Saturday’s preseason tournament featured 12 players, four of which were on trial; Mason Trafford, Mark Howard and Jordan Cyrus

Although defender Bryan Burke was present, he was missing on the game day roster, mostly because he’s still trying to get on form from a broken leg he suffered last season. While Adama Mbengue will report to training on Monday. 

While Heath’s pursuit for more former MLS players continues, he has told the OSJ most recently that he plans to continue on bringing players up to the pro team from the academy. 

With the 2014 USL Pro regular season bound to kick off in less than a month, Heath hinted that more signings are on its way, which also include the arrival of two players on-loan from Sporting Kansas City (per USL Pro-MLS affiliation). 

Orlando City SC 2014 roster

Goalkeepers (2) : Miguel Gallardo, Carl Woszczynski

Defender (4) : Luke Boden, Rob Valentino, Joseph Toby, Bradford Rusin, Bryan Burke 

Midfielders (7): Yordany Alvarez (MLS), Austin da Luz, Anthony Pulis, Kevin Molino (MLS), Darwin Ceren (MLS), James O’Connor, Adama Mbengue

Forward (2) : Corey Hertzog, Dennis Chin

*As of Feb. 23, 2014

* Players listed next to MLS are guaranteed a spot in Orlando’s MLS squad in 2015