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Orlando City 2014 USL Pro squad (March 2.0)

Photo: OSJ Staff

By Mike Gramajo

Orlando City's final USL Pro season kicks off on Saturday when the Lions visit Blackbaud Stadium to face off against the Charleston Battery (7:30 p.m. ET WATCH HERE).

OCSC most recently made more additions to their squad, acquiring a total of four players in one week.

After receiving a total of four players from Sporting Kansas City prior to the 2013 season, Orlando were only able to nab midfielder Mikey Lopez on-loan. While the midfield position looks to be stacked-up compared to other USL Pro clubs, the Lions added a ninth midfielder earlier in the week after they announced the signing of former University of Akron midfielder Aodhan Quinn.

Depth in the goalkeeping position also expanded with the signing of Rafael Diaz, who played recently for St. John's University, while the defense also got a boost after Orlando welcomed back defender Justin Clark.

All four players are signed on for the 2014 USL Pro season, with the exception of Mikey Lopez who can be called up from Sporting KC at anytime during the season.

Below is the latest update on the Lions 2014 roster: 

Orlando City acquires midfielder Mikey Lopez from Sporting Kansas City on loan

Courtesy of Orlando City 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando City SC announced on Friday that the club will receive midfielder Mikey Lopez on loan from Major League Soccer affiliate, Sporting Kansas City.

Selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft out of North Carolina as a Generation Adidas signing, Lopez enters his second professional season in 2014.

The 21-year-old midfielder made his professional debut for Sporting Kansas City in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and his rookie season was highlighted by his participation in the 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. He appeared in all three matches for the U.S. in the tournament after helping to lead the United States to a runner-up finish at the U-20 CONCACAF Championship.

The loan from Sporting marks the second year in which both clubs have held this agreement. Last year, the relationship proved to be fruitful for both sides as Dom Dwyer scored a USL PRO league record 19 goals in 14 games. Upon returning back to Sporting Kansas City, Dwyer went on to the score the game-winning goal to put SKC through to the MLS Cup Final.

Midfielder Christian Duke and Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who were also loaned to Orlando last year, will return back to USL PRO as the MLS side has also loaned them to newly added USL club OKC Energy FC for their inaugural season.

Orlando City and OKC are set to play each other twice this season, with the first fixture taking place in Oklahoma on April 26. Shortly afterwards, the Lions will host the Energy on May 4 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Throughout the 2014 campaign, Sporting Kansas City will have the option to recall any of the team’s three players.

--- Press Release per Jhamie Chin 

Orlando City Notes: Heath on college friendlies; Latest on injured players; more

Photo: OSJ Staff

By Mike Gramajo

SANFORD, Fla. — After finishing unbeaten at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, Orlando City will now shift their focus on the upcoming college friendlies before they kickoff the 2014 USL Pro season. 

“We gave the lads three-four days off, too many of the guys were carrying around knocks, but today’s training was very lively,” head coach Adrian Heath told the OSJ after Wednesday’s practice. “We now have two and half weeks to prepare for the season, and we’ve done a lot of good stuff to prepare.” 

The Lions kickoff their slate of college friendlies when they welcome the Florida International University Panthers to the Seminole Soccer Complex on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. 

Checkout some of the latest news occurring in Orlando City preseason: 

Orlando City’s Adrian Heath speaking to Sporting KC this week about on-coming loans

By Mike Gramajo

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — With weeks left in preseason, Orlando City SC’s roster looks to increase with a few new players, meaning the Lions will be awaiting on the arrival of the two Sporting Kansas City players that will be loaned to Orlando for the upcoming 2014 USL Pro season. 

“I’m speaking to Peter (Vermes) hopefully on Wednesday this week,” said OCSC head coach Adrian Heath after Saturday’s 4-4 draw vs. New York Red Bulls. “Obviously we got to speak about what we feel our needs are, and what he’s got as well. He has a lot of games coming up with the CONCACAF (Champions League). He’s giving two to Oklahoma (Energy FC) as well, it’ll be interesting.” 

Since affiliating with the MLS club last year, Sporting KC sent four players on-loan during the 2013 USL Pro season, and it paid big dividends for the Lions and players as well. 

Initially, Sporting sent forward Dom Dwyer, midfielder Christian Duke, defender Yann Songo’o and goalkeeper Jon Kempin to Orlando City last year, though Dwyer’s well-form was convincing to earn him a call-up to Kansas City during the middle of the USL Pro season. 

Kevin Ellis, CJ Sapong were the two other Sporting KC loanees that joined the Lions during the latter part of the USL Pro season, mainly because of Dwyer’s return to Kansas City and Songo’o’s release from the club. 

With Sporting KC also affiliating themselves with incoming USL Pro club Oklahoma City Energy, Vermes will have to divide the four players, meaning the Lions and Energy will each receive two players on loan for the upcoming season. 

Stay tuned with the OSJ for the latest players transactions in Orlando City.