The 2016 MLS Expansion Draft is upon us. In the Expansion Draft, Atlanta United and Minnesota United will have the chance to pick unprotected players from other MLS rosters to build their team. In 2014, Orlando City and New York City FC had the same opportunity when they were preparing to enter MLS. Here is a look back at Orlando City’s Expansion Draft picks.
You can watch today's Expansion Draft LIVE at 2 PM ET here.
#1: Donovan Ricketts: The first pick for Orlando City was Portland Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Ricketts made ten appearances for Orlando City during the inaugural MLS season before being traded in the summer trade window to LA Galaxy.
#2: Tony Cascio: The second pick was Tony Cascio, an attacking midfielder who had been drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the first round of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Cascio was on the bench for a couple of MLS matches, and got some time in the preseason, but missed the next six months due to an injury before being released by the team.
#3: Jalil Anibaba: The third pick for Orlando City was defender Jalil Anibaba from the Seattle Sounders. He was used as part of a trade to Sporting Kansas City for Aurelien Collin. Collin played for Orlando City throughout the inaugural season, and into the start of Orlando City’s second MLS campaign, before being traded to the New York Red Bulls.
#4: Pedro Ribiero: The fourth pick for Orlando City was attacking midfielder Pedro Ribiero. He has made 21 appearances for the club over two years and two appearances with Orlando City B, but missed most of the 2016 season due to back injury.
#5: Lewis Neal: The fifth pick was midfielder Lewis Neal from D.C United. Neal made 21 appearances for Orlando City in 2015, but his MLS contract was not picked up for 2016. Instead, Neal now plays a diverse role with the organization, including a coaching role with the academy and playing for Orlando City B.
#6: Jairo Arrieta: The sixth pick for Orlando City was forward Jairo Arrieta. He was traded to D.C United before the start of the 2015 season in exchange for an international roster spot.
#7: Heath Pearce: Orlando City’s seventh pick was defender Heath Pearce from Montreal Impact. Pearce did not sign with Orlando City.
#8: Danny Mwanga: The eighth pick for Orlando City was forward Danny Mwanga from the Colorado Rapids. Mwanga made a couple of appearances for Orlando City in both league games and U.S Open Cup games, but was not resigned for the 2016 season.
#9: Mark Sherrod: The ninth pick for Orlando City was forward Mark Sherrod. Sherrod was traded away the day after selection to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for a second round SuperDraft pick.
#10: Eric Gehrig: The tenth and final pick was defender Eric Gehrig. Gehrig was traded to the Chicago Fire in exchange for a second round SuperDraft pick.
