Day after: Turner staying grounded after first Pro contract with Orlando City Soccer

Courtesy of US Soccer

By Mike Gramajo

Not only did a successful stint with the U.S. National Team U-18 help defender Tyler Turner to his first professional contract with Orlando City SC, but a superb performance in preseason camp paved the way as well. 

“I really do think it (Disney Pro Soccer Classic) gave me a little bit of a boost,” Turner told the OSJ via phone interview. “It also gave me preparation so I’ll know what to work on. It gave me a preview of what next year will be.” 

Orlando City’s newest member joined the Lions on Thursday, signing a multi-year deal that includes a spot in Orlando’s MLS squad in 2015. 

Turner, who has been playing in the right-back position during the Lions’ Disney Classic preseason tournament, also said he looks to lean toward veteran defenders Rob Valentino and Luke Boden for advice, given they’re already adapted to head coach Adrian Heath’s system. 

Despite just being only 17-years-old, the IMG Academy product has received plenty of praise for his performances with the United States U17 and U18 national team in the past year. 

Although once 2015 rolls by, Turner will be one of the few teenagers in Major League Soccer, but acknowledges teenage stars such as Diego Fagundez, Juan Agudelo and Jozy Altidore as important figures who herald the way for players in his age group. 

“I think they’ve paved their way to their own road, and I look up to them. But I want to pave my own way and see where I can take myself,” added Turner. “I always tell my friends and family that the biggest thing I want to do if I sign a professional contract is to stay grounded and humble.” 

You can catch Turner play on Saturday, as Orlando City takes on the New York Red Bulls for third place in the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. 

Below is a video of Turner scoring a goal for the U.S U-17 vs. Brazil: 

Report: Orlando City to sign U.S. national team U-18 defender to MLS contract

By Mike Gramajo

Orlando City SC’s fourth Major League Soccer signing maybe coming sooner than expected. 

According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, the Lions are bound to sign United States national team U-18 defender Tyler Turner to a professional contract, which will include a spot in Orlando’s MLS squad in 2015. 

Orlando City has yet to comment on the report. 

Turner, 18, is currently playing with Orlando as a trialist during the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, and played on Wednesday night’s match vs. the Columbus Crew. 

If Turner does sign with the Lions, he joins midfielders Darwin Ceren, Kevin Molino and Yordany Alvarez as Orlando’s MLS signees for 2015. 

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What do you make of the report? Glad to see Orlando adding a young defender to their squad?

Share your thoughts below. 

Lions and Crew battle in score-fest draw

Photo | Joe Petro / OCSC 

By Danny Morales

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Orlando City SC and the Columbus Crew played to a 4-4 draw on Wednesday night in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, in what was a back-and-forth game from start to finish. 

Dennis Chin scored his first goal of the preseason in the 88th minute, giving Orlando City what looked like the game-winning goal, but Columbus’ Ethan Finlay came and scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute.

“I was overdue,” said Chin about his goal. “Preseason's all about getting sharp and just trying to get as many as your chances in as possible. It’s good to get my first one in, hopefully it’s more.”

Both teams scored a combined five goals during the final 14 minutes of the game, including one from newly re-signed midfielder Adama Mbengue.

All-in-all, OCSC got three goals from three different midfielders, showing that the chemistry is starting to improve in the middle.

“We’re starting to get some chemistry within the group,” said Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath. “The combination play within the mid-third of the field is becoming very, very good.

“We’re still growing and trying to put this next group of players together, there’s six or seven news players and everybody’s still not completely on the same page with their roles and responsibilities.”

Darwin Ceren was one of the Lions’ midfielders to put the ball in the back of the net on Wednesday, giving him his first goal for the Purple Kits. 

The preseason is still young for Orlando City, as this was only their fourth game all year. The Lions will return to Disney on Saturday to face the New York Red Bulls for the third place spot in the preseason tournament on Saturday, kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. 

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do , we know that, still got a lot of stuff to nail down,” said Heath. “There’s certain things that please me and there’s stuff that doesn’t, but that’s what preseason's about.”

Orlando City '14 USL Pro squad (February)

Photo: OSJ Staff

By Mike Gramajo

With less than a month away for Orlando City SC's season opener at Charleston, head coach Adrian Heath indicated that more additions to the roster will be made in the coming weeks. 

The OSJ will continue to be on the latest track of new players that will be sporting the purple kit. 

Although midfielder Adama Mbengue isn't listed in Orlando City's website as a member of the team, a team source told the OSJ that he will rejoin the squad this week, adding more depth to Heath's midfield, and making a stronger argument in having once again a possessive style team. 

Below is the latest update on the Lions 2014 roster: 

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). 

Trialist saves Orlando City, scores late equalizer vs. Toronto FC in Disney Classic

Allison Petro / OCSC 

By Mike Gramajo 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Trialist Mark Howard’s 88h minute goal salvaged Orlando City SC, as they went on to play in a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Saturday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during day two of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic. 

“We take off with our chances, we should of won the game,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath told reporters after the game. “I think as the game wore on, the more we got into our rhythm. We’re getting there, we’re getting better.” 

Kyle Bekker gave TFC the early 1-0 lead in the 13th minute, when he scored off a penalty kick after defensive error in Orlando’s back line resulted into a foul. OCSC would find the game-tying goal after midfielder Darwin Ceren’s corner found Howard who managed to poke his head near the goal line for the equalizer. 

Despite the early deficit, the Lions went on to create and miss several chances for an equalizer, outshooting Toronto in the first half 7-4. Austin da Luz, Corey Hertzog and Kevin Molino all had several chances late in the first half, especially a rocket shot from outside the box in the 33rd minute from Molino, which just went over the cross bar. 

Orlando City finished the game outscoring the Reds 18-7, and with 11 of those shots coming in the second half which saw Toronto play midfielder Michael Bradley and forward Dwayne DeRosario. 

With a second consecutive tie, Orlando can still manage to contend for a consolation match and finish second in their pool in a must-win game vs. Columbus Crew on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m.. 

Orlando City SC and midfielder Jamie Watson part ways, transfers to Minnesota United FC

OSJ Staff Photo

By Mike Gramajo 

Like all things, good things must come to an end. 

Fan favorite Jamie Watson won’t be part of Orlando City SC’s MLS plans, which has resulted into the club transferring the midfielder to Minnesota United FC of the North American Soccer League (NASL) on Thursday. 

“It’s a great opportunity for Jamie,” OCSC head coach Adrian Heath said in a statement. “I couldn’t give him the kind of assurance that he is looking for on playing time in the coming season. It’s a sad day but it’s one of those decisions that has been made for all the right reasons. As an organization, we have to make the right decisions for both players and the club.”

Watson and Minnesota aren’t all that new, he last played for the club during their time as the Minnesota Stars FC as a loanee from Orlando City after the 2012 season, which saw guide the Stars to a Soccer Bowl appearance. 

He will also work under Minnesota manager Manny Lagos, who also coached Watson during his time in Minnesota and helped MUFC stay in the middle of the NASL spring table in 2013. 

“This is a very good opportunity for Jamie and we didn’t feel as though we could stand in his way,” added heath. 

Signs of Watson exiting the club appeared on Wednesday night, after he wasn’t named to the game day roster. Other key components to the exit, the amount of depth in the midfield, which are currently occupied by OCSC’s three MLS signings; Yordany Alvarez, Kevin Molino and Darwin Ceren. Adama Mbengue and Austin da Luz also fill up the midfield position. 

Overall, the former Real Salt Lake man finished with 61 appearances while scoring 23 goals for the Purple Kits. 

"The six years I've spent with this organization have been fantastic," Watson said in a press release. "Words can't begin to describe how special the fans, my teammates, the coaches, and the front office have been to me.”

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What do you think of this move? Sad to see Watson depart Orlando? What's your favorite moment of him as a Lion? 

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