The two MLS expansion franchises set to debut next spring have already become willing partners in behind-the-scenes personnel moves, and their friendship determined where returning MLS star Brek Shea will play next season.
The Orlando Sentinel reported on Saturday that Orlando City SC and New York City FC made a deal before the MLS Expansion Draft earlier this month that NYCFC would not take 24-year-old United States national team hopeful Shea with the top spot in the Allocation Order.
In exchange, Orlando City promised not to take any players from Real Salt Lake during the Expansion Draft. NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis – who played and coached at RSL and led them to their only MLS Cup title in 2009 – eventually selected RSL regulars Ned Grabavoy with the second overall pick and defender Chris Wingert with the 20th.
Shea was introduced to the Orlando media on Friday. The connection to OCSC is a natural one – his former agent, Paul McDonough, is now the Orlando City General Manager and Shea trained with the club last summer.
Orlando head coach Adrian Heath said he envisions Shea playing somewhere on the left wing, whether at left back, midfield or further up the field and said his mixture of size (6-foot-4), athletic ability and talent has him very excited over what he can bring to the MLS expansion club. He said having Shea with the team over the summer was a tantalizing preview of the type of player he is, and they have worked since then to bring him over permanently.
“I don’t see any reason that in the next few years with us that he can’t force his way back into that national team and show everybody the exciting player that he did early in his career,” Heath said.
NYCFC, meanwhile, still hold the top spot in the Allocation Order after winning the spot in the MLS Expansion Priority Draft in September.
