ORLANDO, Fla. – Adrian Heath admits Orlando City is going to have “an issue” with Cyle Larin, and it will happen sooner than anyone expected.
In the short term, it’s a good issue to have, though, and the New York Red Bulls may find out in Friday night’s clash at Camping World Stadium (7 pm ET, UniMás).
The big Canadian striker is increasingly drawing longing glances from foreign clubs this season, with both Lazio in Italy and Norwegians Molde reportedly showing interest in the 21-year-old in recent weeks. And Orlando City head coach Heath acknowledges Larin is potentially on the fast track to a future beyond MLS, after chalking up his first assist at New England last weekend, to go with his 21 goals in 30 starts so far.
“The one question for Cyle this year was, ‘Is he going to keep learning’?” said Heath. “And the one thing we see each week is yes. He’s working really hard in training, watching a lot of video, trying to make himself better, and, if he continues as he is, we’re going to have an issue with him down the road because people notice big, young center forwards who are getting better.
“Is it quicker than we thought? Probably, because we didn’t think he’d have the first year like he had. We probably expected that this year. He’s big, strong, quick, all the things you need in a modern-day center forward. It’s a nice problem to have.”
Heath is quick to point to his development this season, which included last week’s 2-2 draw against the Revolution, when he was actively involved in both Orlando goals, earning the assist on Carlos Rivas’ late equalizer.
“Nobody mentions Cyle’s hold-up play at the moment, but it has gone through the roof from when he first arrived here,” the head coach insisted. “He gets himself in front of defenders and gives us an option to get up the field.
“The fact he held off [New England defender [Jose] Goncalves, who is one of the strongest guys in the league, and managed to put a great ball in for the second goal, it shows it’s another stage for Cyle. But it doesn’t surprise me.”
Larin admits he is picking up the nuances of the game quicker and quicker. He is also quick to highlight the benefits of playing alongside experienced players like recent arrival Julio Baptista.
“Yes, I think it is happening fast,” he conceded. “Just every day in training and each game I play, I start thinking quicker, everything starts moving slower for me and everything gets better. I learn a lot from the coaches here, as well as Kaká and the older players.
“Since the day Julio came, he has been helping me out, telling me different runs to do and where to be. When I came into the game at home to New England and we were playing up top together, he was telling me things to do, just playing quicker at the top of the box because the defenders are quick to close you down. Each game he tells me something, even if he’s on the bench.”
Like Heath, Larin has been paying attention to his support play and bringing others into the game. “I know that sometimes I have to hold up the ball, make sure I get it down first and keep my team in the game,” he added. “It’s a different type of game on the road, and I know sometimes I have to make runs that help my teammates score.
“Getting an assist is different to what I’m used to but it was good to see the goal go in. Each game I get better in things like assisting and keeping my head up more, so I definitely feel I’m improving that part of my game.”
And as for the transfer rumors, well, he’s definitely noticed. “I do see it on the internet,” Larin confirmed. “My agent deals with it but it’s nice to see that teams are looking at me, and the more I work hard, the more interest I get. Right now my job is to score goals and win something with this team. And if I keep doing that, the rest will come.”
