Rookie award would cap Larin’s dream MLS season
Brampton native went No. 1 overall in draft and backed it up with solid year for Orlando
Major League Soccer SuperDraft’s No. 1 pick Cyle Larin had a dream start to his professional career last January.
And his rookie season that followed this year was no different.
“It’s a dream come true for me, my first year as a professional footballer, scoring so many goals as I did and playing with top players on my team,” said the 20-year-old Brampton native during a recent conference call.
Larin, the only Canadian to be selected first overall in the league’s draft, netted 17 goals in 27 appearances in his inaugural season with expansion side Orlando City SC.
It’s arguably the most impressive performance by a rookie in MLS history.
Larin is the favourite to receive the league’s rookie of the year award. He is in the running for the honour with San Jose’s Fatai Alashe and Chicago’s Matt Polster. The winner will be announced Tuesday.
Larin admitted he used the honour as motivation throughout this past season.
“As the season went on and I kept scoring and the talk came up, obviously I made it a goal.”
The striker’s year-long tally is six greater than Damani Ralph’s, who held the record for most goals scored in a rookie season until the Canadian notched his 12th in a 5-2 victory over New York Red Bulls on Sept. 25.
“It’s a dream come true for me, my first year as a professional footballer, scoring so many goals as I did.” CYLE LARIN
Larin would be the fifth forward to win the award and only the second Canadian, after FC Dallas’ Tesho Akindele won it last year.
The former University of Connecticut player started his season slowly, only used as a substitute in two of Orlando’s first three regular-season matches. But after his first start — and first goal — on April12, Larin was in the squad at kickoff for all but one regular-season game.
“Once I got used to it and I got my opportunity to play, I started scoring goals,” Larin said.
His fitness, movements and decision making also improved, Larin believes. And after marvelling at the prospect of playing alongside him last year, Larin credits legendary Brazilian midfielder and Orlando teammate Kaka’s teachings with helping him improve.
Together, the Lions’ two stars couldn’t do enough to propel Orlando higher than seventh place and into the playoffs in the club’s inaugural season.
But Orlando will be there next fall, Larin guarantees. “There’s no doubt about it.” Rumours about a potential stint in Europe have surrounded the breakout start for months, but Larin is expected to remain in Florida for the near future.
“We will take all these things as they come,” general manager Paul McDonough told MLSsoccer.com last month. “It is not a bad situation to be in.”
Right now, Larin’s focus lies with the Canadian national team. He will represent his country in two World Cup qualifiers this month, one in Vancouver against Honduras Nov. 13 and the other away in El Salvador Nov. 17.
But buoyed by a likely rookie of the year honour, he has an eye on a more fruitful MLS season next year.
“It just motivates me to do better, work harder and score more goals.”
“It just motivates me to do better, work harder and score more goals.” ORLANDO FC’S CYLE LARIN ON BEING UP FOR ROOKIE OF YEAR