BRADENTON, Fla. — If Orlando City coach James O’Connor has his way, there will be a few more players added to his team before the start of the regular season.
The 2019 MLS season gets started in March and Orlando City has already added a dozen new players, including draft picks, since the end of last season. Still, O’Connor has his sights set on new players and said executive vice president of soccer operations Luiz Muzzi — who has been present for training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton — is working on adding to the team.
“There’s still a few pieces that I want to get in,” O’Connor said. “That’s an ongoing process. Luiz has been working hard on a number of things. There’s a few that we want to get in.”
O’Connor said he’s confident the team will add players before the start of the season.
“We certainly hope so,” he said.
With a laugh, he added, “Let’s remain positive. I hope so. Fingers crossed.”
Former L.A. Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Brian Rowe is in training camp as a trialist. The Lions also brought in three development academy products — one of which already has a contract with Orlando City B — to train with the first team.
O’Connor also explained why the club released midfielder Tommy Madden, who was selected 38th overall in the MLS SuperDraft earlier this month. Madden was released on Saturday after just one week of preseason training with the Lions.
“Smashing kid, great boy,” O’Connor said. “Just felt, when we looked at what we had, he wasn’t quite at the level of what we had. For anybody coming in, we want them to be better than what we have. I think, unfortunately for Tommy, in our opinion, he wasn’t quite what we were looking for, but I’m sure he’ll go on and have a career and we wish him nothing but the very best because he’s a great young man.”
Orlando City opens its season at home against NYCFC on March 2. The Lions wrap up their time in Bradenton with a scrimmage on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.