Report: Orlando City to send 8-10 players to affiliate in Louisville at conclusion of season

By Mike Gramajo

Louisville City’s roster hasn’t come to fruition just yet, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking at Orlando City’s current USL squad for future players. 

According to WFPL News out of Louisville, Kentucky, Louisville City FC president Wayne Estopinal revealed that his club may acquire 8-10 players from Orlando City’s current USL side once the 2014 USL PRO postseason comes to a close. 

Louisville City, who are expected to join USL PRO in 2015, will be Orlando City’s USL affiliate after the Lions were awarded a Major League Soccer franchise back in November 2013, and are expected to kickoff in MLS in six months. 

Former Orlando City player/coach James O’Connor is the head coach of Louisville City, who are expected to play their home games at a renovated Louisville Slugger Field 

Out of Orlando City’s current 2014 USL roster, six players are expected to make the move to MLS next year; Kevin Molino, Darwin Ceren, Tyler Turner, Tommy Redding, Rafael Ramos and Estrela. 

Adama Mbengue, Luke Boden, Rob Valentino and Bradford Rusin have been projected players to make the move to MLS with Orlando City, but have yet been offered a contract. 

What are your thoughts on this report? Who do you think follows Orlando City to MLS, and who is packing their bags to Louisville? Share your comments below. 

Orlando City Notes: Heath talks international call-ups; USL PRO, Louisville City and more

(Photo OSJ File)

By Mike Gramajo

SANFORD — It may seem like it’s early in the season, but Orlando City SC is playing their best USL PRO season in franchise history after an unbeaten start (9-0-3), which has them sitting in first place with 30 points, and six points clear from second place LA Galaxy II. 

“I think we’re getting better,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s been a process, I still don’t think we’re 100 percent.” 

The Lions will embark into inter-league play at home this Saturday when they welcome the Montreal Impact Reserves at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

The biggest question heading into this weekend’s matchup is whether Heath has the right tools to approach the game after three of his starters will be missing due to international call-ups, while two remain unclear due to lingering injuries. 

“When one door closes for one, another one opens for somebody else,” Heath said. “I will never stop my players from playing. Kevin Molino is playing against (Sergio) Aguero, and (Lionel) Messi, the last game before the World Cup when they leave Buenos Aires, probably in front of 80,000 people. 

“Darwin (Ceren) will be playing against the European and World champions, so we couldn’t stop them, and I never do because I know how much it meant to me when I played for my country. We didn’t have to release anybody because they weren’t FIFA mandated dates. I know what Kevin Molino would be like if I told him he can’t go play against Argentina. We have a squad of players, 23 players, that will have the opportunity for the guys to step in and show they can hold a regular spot.” 

OCSC will be without the services of Tommy Redding (United States U18), Darwin Ceren (El Salvador) and Kevin Molino (Trinidad & Tobago) for the match against the Impact Reserves. However, they will be available for Orlando when they host the Orange County Blues on Wednesday, June 11. 

Here’s more on what Heath said during Wednesday’s team training: