Things are going according to plan for Orlando City B.
The Orlando City affiliate and USL expansion side was put in place to give the Club’s promising young talent crucial playing time, and that’s just what it’s done.
“They’ve had a really good start this season,” said City head coach Adrian Heath, who is often at OCB’s games in Melbourne to see his future stars in person. “The guys have done really well.”
Seven Orlando City players on MLS contracts are with OCB, including Tyler Turner, Harrison Heath, Devron García, Conor Donovan and Bryan Róchez, as well as 2016 MLS SuperDraft first round picks Richie Laryea and Hadji Barry.
Turner has had a particularly strong start to the year. The right back has started and played a full 90 in all but one game this season and has three goals, tied with Michael Cox for the team lead.
“A little bit surprising, shall we say,” Heath said of the defender’ scoring output with a chuckle.
Center back Conor Donovan made his return to the pitch on May 1 after tearing his ACL 17 minutes into his MLS debut last August. Donovan played the first half in the win over FC Montreal and 60 minutes against Bethlehem Steel FC on May 7.
It’s impossible to overstate the value of the minutes being earned. In Orlando City’s inaugural MLS season, players like Heath, Donovan, Turner and Róchez often went unused – though each made big contributions when they did see the field.
Heath played well in his three MLS appearances last year, and Donovan looked promising before injuring his knee. Designated Player Róchez scored goals in three straight down the stretch and Turner made five starts.
Laryea, the 7th overall pick, has played so well for OCB that he earned a spot on Canada’s U23 roster for their upcoming friendlies against Guyana’s and Grenada’s senior national teams.
Barry, who played two years for UCF before being selected 13th overall, has featured in three MLS games for Orlando City this year and looks downright dominant at times with OCB.
“We’re going to see the benefit of [the minutes] when they actually come in the team,” Heath said. “They’re playing regularly, and that’s what it was meant to be.”
