Orlando City SC

THE BASICS:

• Orlando City SC
• Eastern Conference
• Home: Citrus Bowl

HONORS:

ORLANDOCITYSC.COM:

• Tickets
• Schedule
• Jerseys/Gear

2016 Storylines

It's tempting to look at Orlando City's Year Two in the league as a matter of going out on a wing and a prayer. The wing in question is that occupied by Kevin Molino on the right of midfield; the prayer would simply be for a less injury-plagued season.

The Lions came close to a fairytale finish in 2015, winning five of their last six, but just missing the all-important goal of a first-year playoff place. The loss of Molino to a knee ligament tear after just seven games and an injury epidemic through July and August were seen as the prime culprits for the team falling agonizingly short.

Antonio Nocerino

That might be an overly simplistic view, however, as the team was still arguably lacking at least one player in each department to provide the necessary competition and quality that the roster needed through the grind of the middle of the campaign.

To that end, the addition of ex-New Englander Kevin Alston in defense and Italian signing Antonio Nocerino in midfield helps to build some all-important depth, alongside the return of a fully-fit Molino and top first-round SuperDraft pick Richie Laryea, another attacking midfielder who had 10 years of youth soccer in Canada with leading scorer Cyle Larin.

If anything, Larin's continued growth and development is the key, though. After notching 17 goals in his rookie year, he will carry a heavy load at the apex of coach Adrian Heath's flexible 4-2-3-1 system, and his ability to continue climbing the learning curve among a core of equally young players will set the example.

Kaká will continue to be the effervescent DP (Designated Player), but the team's success or failure will depend on how much growing Larin – and Molino, Rafa Ramos, Cristian Higuita, Darwin Céren, Carlos Rivas and Bryan Róchez – can manage this time around.

Armchair Analyst's Take

The Lions got 29 games out of Kaká across all competitions last year. The last time he played 29 or more games two seasons in a row was 2008-2009 to 2009-2010 – the last gasp of his first stint with AC Milan and his first year of a disappointing spell with Real Madrid. He was in his prime then, with those years coming from age 26-through-28. By the seventh game of this season, he will be 34 years old.

Will OCSC get 29 games out of Kaká this season? His age and injury history will likely hang ominously over every expectation in the Sunshine state. Even if his on-field/off-field impact isn't as dramatic as other No. 10s, like Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas) or Pedro Morales (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kaká was still Kaká, and there is no easy replacement for what he brings to the field.

Beyond that worry and the upheaval in the front office this offseason, OCSC seem set up for an FC Dallas-esque rise. They have a young core of Larin, Higuita, Ceren, Shea, Rochez, Ramos and Rivas that both produced and improved, and they have a bunch of veterans who can help add some knowhow.

Key Offseason Transactions

Player to Watch: Cyle Larin

Based on what we saw last season, there's no reason the 2015 No. 1 overall SuperDraft pick can't surpass his record Rookie of the Year scoring totals:

Projected Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Bendik -- Ramos, Collin, Hines, Shea -- Ceren, Nocerino -- Molino, Kaká, Rivas -- Larin

Fantasy Soccer

Thanks to a strong 2015 finish, Fantasy managers should once again look to Kaka ($10.5m) and Clye Larin ($9.0m) as primary point generators as they continue to be the Lions' primary offensive targets. As for defense, the new point calculations should benefit Aurelien Collin ($8.0m) if managers are willing to splurge.

SLEEPER PICKS:

• David Mateos
• Antonio Nocerino
• Kevin Molino