Competitive balance is something MLS has successfully maintained since the League’s establishment in 1993. Salary caps and sensible financial restraints have fostered equal competition across MLS with franchises all operating under the same financial guidelines.
As a MLS expansion franchise, Orlando City SC has done an exemplary job of constructing its roster within those financial guidelines – strengthening the roster where necessary and improving squad depth each season to put the club in a competitive position. 2017 has been no different. This season, multiple players have been rotating at various positions to keep the squad fresh, healthy, and ready to compete with high levels of intensity every single match. Regardless of why, when, or how a player’s number has been called, he has been ready to step in and compete.
Take Orlando City’s Victor “PC” Giro and Leo Pereira for example. Two players who, at the beginning of the season, not many people thought would be starting a match in MLS for the Lions. The Brazilian pair each earned their first MLS starts earlier this season against San Jose. In a difficult away fixture, both PC and Pereira had excellent performances which proved their value to Jason Kreis and Orlando City SC. Not only did they prove themselves, they reinforced Kreis’ confidence in the wide array of players at his disposal.
Recently, Jason Kreis had this to say about the young Brazilian defenders after a momentous draw against Chicago: “Really strong performances from them again. Defensively I thought Léo [Pereira] positioned himself incredibly well tonight. PC showed the type of effort and commitment and resolve that he has every time I’ve seen him play. A big reason why he was brought here was because of that fortitude and that ability to work as hard as he does.”
PC and Pereira have given the Lions valuable minutes on the back line this year and will continue to do so as another busy month of fixtures is quickly approaching in June.
A busy schedule usually warrants more squad rotation; and Jason Kreis has shown confidence in his squad players all season long. Players like Giles Barnes, Luis Gil, Matias Perez-Garcia, Servando Carrasco and Cristian Higuita have all played significant roles in midfield for Orlando City this season. In an area of the field where energy and work rate are paramount, the Lions have multiple players who are capable of providing a spark. Midfield has been a strength of the team all season long. A lot of that success can be attributed to Jason Kreis’ faith in different players to step in and control the middle of the field.
Establishing a highly competitive roster this soon into the Club’s MLS existence is an accomplishment worth being proud of. Orlando City have depth at every position on the field. Combining squad depth with experience, talent, and a head coach willing to give players a chance is a formula that seems to be working quite well for the men in Purple.
