Orlando City SC have certainly not been shy about making a splash in their brief time in MLS.
And they very nearly landed Mexican star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez last year to go along with Brazilian great Kaká, Orlando president Phil Rawlins confirmed Friday night during UniMas’ pregame show ahead of the Lions’ home match against the Chicago Fire.
“We made a very concerted effort to bring him here,” Rawlins said on Univision's 'La Barra MLS' pregame show ahead of Friday's game against Chicago. “We were very serious in our discussions with him, we went a long way down the roads with him, and unfortunately we couldn’t get to an agreement with him.”
Instead, despite confirming this winter that he considered a move to MLS, Hernandez signed last summer with German club Bayer Leverkusen. It’s worked out well for the forward, with 23 goals in 33 appearances this season.
“He’s having a great season,” Rawlins said. “I’d love to have seen him do that in purple for us.”
Rawlins, however, didn’t close the door on Hernandez coming to central Florida.
“The doors are always open for great players like that,” he said.
