Orlando City fans
Lions’ new road uniforms stress club’s mantra
get to see the team’s new purple, white and gold uniforms that stress a mantra of “Defy Expectations.”
Orlando City unveiled its new away uniforms on Tuesday night at an open training session for fans at the Citrus Bowl.
The new white threads include a purple faux collar and purple sleeves with a gold loop, as well as three purple Adidas stripes down the side of the shirt. The jerseys also feature an enhanced badge on the shirt and shorts and the club’s “Defy Expectations” mantra in three languages — Spanish, English and Portuguese — inside the collar.
Orlando City’s home kit will remain the same for the 2016 season. The team also debuted a new bright red goalkeeping kit during the hour-long training session.
“I think it’s nice,” Lions forward Cyle Larin said. “Nice color, nice design so it’ll be [good] this sea- son.”
While current players were showing off uniforms for the fans Tuesday night, Orlando City leaders worked behind the scenes to potentially add another big name to the roster.
The Lions are in talks to acquire the discovery rights to AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino.
D.C. United owns the 30-year-old Italian’s MLS rights, but it is willing to make a trade with Orlando City, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. An Orlando Sentinel source confirmed the two teams have been in trade discussions.
What exactly Orlando City will have to give up for Nocerino is not yet known. Orlando City previously had talks with representatives for Nocerino, prompting D.C. United to consider filing
tampering charges against its Eastern Conference foe.
The going rate for discovery rights is set by MLS at $50,000 in allocation money, but United may ask for more because of how the situation has played out so far. The Montreal Impact reportedly sent $250,000 in allocation money to the Chicago Fire for the rights to Didier Drogba.
According to the Washington Post report, Nocerino will only sign with MLS if it is with the highest bidder, which is Orlando City. A source with knowledge of the talks said Orlando City’s offer is less than $900,000 per year. The Post previously reported D.C. United’s offer was a two-year guaranteed deal between $600,000 and $800,000.
Orlando City would be able to sign Nocerino by using targeted allocation money to either buy Nocerino down below the MLS maximum budget charge of $436,250 or by using the money to buy down one of its two young designated players, Bryan Róchez and Carlos Rivas. The former move is more likely because Róchez and Rivas have smaller DP charges ($200,000) due to their age.
The Lions are seeking Nocerino, who will turn 31 in April, with an aim to bolster the depth of its midfield, which includes starters Darwin Cerén, Cristian Higuita, Carlos Rivas, Kevin Molino and Nocerino’s former AC Milan teammate, Kaká.
While Nocerino is most comfortable as a central midfielder, Orlando City could use a rotation of players to navigate a season that will almost certainly bring player absences due to suspensions, injuries and callups. Higuita, for example, will have to sit out the sea- son opener due to red card suspension from last season. Both young Colombians, Higuita and Rivas, could miss time with the Colombian Olympic team this summer, while Kaká, Molino and Cerén may be on international duty during the Copa America Centenario and World Cup qualifiers.
Should Nocerino sign with Orlando City, the Lions will have to strike a balance of playing time for its veteran acquisition while also showcasing Rivas and Higuita, both of whom are considered prospects on the international market.
After an expansion season in which its lack of depth was exposed, however, the problem of too many starting-level options is seen as a much more positive dilemma. First, though, Orlando City must strike a deal with D.C. United.
Belanger added
Canadian national team forward Josée Belanger was allocated to the Orlando Pride by the NWSL for the 2016 season.
Belanger joins Kaylyn Kyle as one of Orlando’s two Canadian players.
Schoop exits
Danish midfielder Jacob Schoop’s trial with Orlando City ended and coach Adrian Heath confirmed Schoop left without a contract.
The defensive midfielder impressed in his time with the Lions, but would have necessitated an international spot. Orlando City’s pursuit of Nocerino also likely made a move for Schoop unnecessary since they play the same position.
To view more pictures of Orlando City’s road uniforms, visit OrlandoSentinel.com/ soccer. ptenorio@orlando sentinel.com