Lions set for MLS roster freeze cutoff
The time for roster tweaks and changes officially is over, and what you see is what you’ll get until the Major League Soccer season comes to an end.
As of today, the MLS roster freeze deadline, teams submitted their final 30-man rosters, which cannot be changed until the day after the Dec. 9 MLS Cup. Orlando City coach Jason Kreis told reporters Thursday there would be no last-minute movement for the Lions.
“Our roster is our roster,” Kreis said. “I don’t anticipate any more moves for us or any additions or subtractions. We have the guys that we think we need to make a good push to the end of the season, to give everything we have to keep ourselves alive over the next several matches, to continue to try to fight for that last playoff spot. And once that goes away, if that goes away, then it’s about fighting for respect and dignity.”
After the secondary transfer window closed Aug. 9, teams still could add players who were out of contract before the window closed and waive players, if desired. For example, the Vancouver Whitecaps signed Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor and New York City FC added defender Andraž Struna on free transfers this month.
There is one exception. A player may be added after the roster freeze date under the Extreme Hardship rule, which allows MLS teams to call up players from their United Soccer League affiliates if less than 14 outfield players or two goalkeepers are available.
Orlando City helped its marginal playoff chances with a 2-1 victory against D.C. United last week and will hope to continue that trend through its final six matches of 2017, beginning with a road trip to Atlanta on Saturday.
“I’m looking to win. I’m looking to keep winning,” Kreis said. “The only objective for me this weekend is three points. I know everybody thinks we’re dead, we don’t.”
The United Soccer League’s Player of the Month for August is no longer playing in the USL.
Orlando City goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. earned 42 percent of the vote — which includes the USL Technical committee, a national panel of independent media and an online fan poll — after recording three shutouts and a save percentage of 88.5 percent on loan with Orlando City B in August.
Edwards was OCB’s starting goalkeeper all year until MLS backup Josh Saunders suffered a season-ending injury. Orlando City called up Edwards as Joe Bendik’s backup the last three games and he will fill that role through the end of the year.
Charlotte Independence and Louisville City FC forwards Enzo Martinez and Luke Spencer, respectively, tied for second in the voting with 25 percent each.
Orlando Pride player Camila bruised her right tibia in last week’s match against Seattle. She was supposed to fly out with Marta and Monica to join the Brazilian national team this week for a pair of friendlies against Australia, but she instead will remain in Orlando to recover.
Camila has trained the past two days but is “day-today,” according to a spokeswoman for the Pride.
The Pride, working to clinch a playoff berth during their final two regular-season matches, hope to have her back for their home match against the Portland Thorns at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and to close out the regular season Sept. 30 in North Carolina.