The rumor mill is at full churn this month as MLS clubs continue to look for the pieces that could make the difference for their 2016 seasons. But be wary – not every reported move will come to fruition, even one of the most persistent ones.
US youth international Junior Flores, who is currently on the books at German giants Borussia Dortmund, has been long rumored to be an MLS team target. In November, Flores was linked with a loan move to Orlando City, D.C. United or FC Dallas, and earlier this week rumors flared up again linking Orlando to a young American player, with Flores again mentioned as a possibility.
However, OCSC president Phil Rawlins moved on Monday to clamp down on any speculation linking the 19-year-old Flores to the Lions.
“I’m afraid that’s just an Internet rumor,” Rawlins told MLSsoccer.com. “When I first heard it, I had to look up who it was. We do have targets in mind and some things we want to do but they are not on anyone’s radar at the moment.”
And though Rawlins has quieted any speculation linking his side to Flores, that doesn’t necessarily rule the youngster out of a potential move to MLS:
Orlando, for their part, currently have 24 of their 28 roster spots for 2016 filled heading into Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft, where they are likely to net a few more additions.
Simon Veness contributed to the reporting on this article.
