Orlando City must avoid the sophomore slump

By foxsports
Published

MLS got its first taste of purple last season as Orlando City joined the fold. Now that Orlando have had a chance to work out the kinks, they need to start delivering consistently on the field. Here are three things to watch as Orlando looks to #FillTheBowlAgain.

It's Orlando City's second season in MLS and they now know what to expect with their fans, the stadium and the travel. They did okay last year for a new team, but nothing to write home about, ending in 7th in the Eastern Conference, 14th overall and coming in one game short of a spot in the playoffs. Now that the shine has worn off, the 2016/17 season will be a test to see if they can up their game and keep their fans on board. They may only have a few years as the only MLS team in Florida (we're looking at you, David Beckham) so they need to set themselves up as the regional power now.

Canadian Cyle Larin had a blockbuster rookie season, taking home the Rookie of the Year award and scoring 17 goals. He's expected to carry the load again this year and now he's no longer an unknown quantity. His game will have to get better now that other defenses have had a season to figure him out. Kaka was the force we all expected him to be last season, with nine goals and seven assists in 28 appearances. But the Brazilian will be 34 this year and Orlando City relied on him and Larin too much. If they want to pull out of the doldrums of the Eastern Conference they will need to have other reliable players scoring goals. Just imagine if Larin and Kaka get hurt, or, heaven forbid, need a rest. Kaka hasn't been ruled out of Brazil's Copa America squad either.

Nocerino is a big get for Orlando, plus he'll be joining his former AC Milan teammate Kaka. But at 30 years old, it remains to be seen how he will adapt to the physical stresses of playing in MLS. Maybe he should call fellow Italian, Sebastian Giovinco for pointers. There was a bit of wrangling between D.C. United and Orlando to bring Nocerino to Florida, and Orlando need him to deliver.