ORLANDO, Fla.- With Orlando City SC’s season drawing to a disappointing end this week, much of the focus around the club will soon be on striker Cyle Larin and whether he’ll be back for a fourth year in Florida.
The speculation surrounding the Canada national team forward – who has 43 goals in 87 career MLS appearances – is likely to intensify ahead of the January transfer window after several European teams have reportedly cast an eye his way in the past.
At 22, Larin would be a prized target, even though his production has dropped off in the second half of this campaign.
There is certainly no overt intention from the team to shop him, even though he could command a multi-million dollar transfer fee and they now have Dom Dwyer ready to take on the mantle of the main goalscorer.
“It’s been a talking point ever since I’ve gotten here,” said head coach Jason Kreis, after training on Wednesday. “Every transfer window that opens there is a lot of speculation about whether or not we’d be willing to sell him, about whether or not there are teams making offers, and I would say that most of that has just been exactly that – speculation. So, we will go into this offseason the same way, with our ears open but not desperate to make any changes.”
Larin has limited his discussion of the topic, and the potential influx and allocation of resources likely attached to any transaction weren't subjects Kreis was keen to acknowledge. “It is far too much speculation to touch that question,” he said. “We have a fair amount of resources now and we believe there may be some change in league rules as to what kind of resources we can use. There is just so much up in the air, it is difficult for me to even go into that question.”
Instead, the coach is hoping to see some of his players push for bigger roles in 2018 in Orlando’s finale at Philadelphia on Sunday (4 pm ET | MLS LIVE) during Decision Day presented by A&T.
“For me, every training session and every game is a dress rehearsal for next year,” he said. “As I said in the press conference after [Sunday’s] game, we play professional sport and our job is on the line if we don’t perform. So for me, it has been the same all year, and it will be the same on Sunday.
“It could be a chance for others, but I haven’t set my starting lineup in my mind yet. I am watching the training sessions very closely right now to see who deserves an opportunity to play in this last match of the year.”
