Orlando City’s offseason was rated by many as one of the best in Major League Soccer, but while its opening day lineup featured plenty of new faces, they were not all the new names the fans most anticipated.
The Lions’ depth was tested right from the jump, as Orlando City was without Sacha Kljestan and Pierre da Silva due to suspension and Josue Colman, Uri Rosell and Dom Dwyer due to injury. Center back Lamine Sane was available, but did not play after being acquired late in the preseason.
Orlando City should start to get more of its big-name players back in the next few weeks. But with an international break lurking just around the corner, it would not be a surprise if the Lions opted to wait until after that break to give those players every opportunity to fully work back from injury.
Colman, Dwyer and Rosell were all out training on the side on Tuesday, and Lions’ general manager Niki Budalic told MLSSoccer.com the team is “cautiously optimistic” Colman and Rosell will be ready for a return, “in a few weeks.” Budalic said both Colman (thigh contusion) and Rosell (undisclosed injury), who arrived late to preseason and could be working on his fitness, are expected to rejoin training soon.
Dwyer (quad) is expected to be out longer than both of his new teammates.
Kljestan and da Silva will continue to serve out suspensions this weekend, while PC, who was red carded against D.C. United, will also be unavailable on Saturday against Minnesota United (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US | MLS LIVE on DAZN)
In their absence, Orlando City got strong performances out of rookie Chris Mueller and Cam Lindley in midfield last week against D.C. United and could lean on them again this week.
