This week, MLSSoccer.com released it’s rankings of the top 24 players under 24 years of age in MLS. Orlando City had five players eligible for the honor, and three that were ranked among the top 24. Coming in at the #1 slot: Cyle Larin.
Larin has had an impressive sophomore season, despite the fears many people had of a “slump” after his incredible rookie year. In his first season in the league, he scored 17 goals and earned the MLS Rookie of the Year award. This season, he sits at 14 goals with five games left in the regular season and is looking to help boost the Lions into their first-ever MLS playoff.
But Larin isn’t the only success story of this Orlando team. Players like Cristian Higuita and Tommy Redding, who were honored on the 24 Under 24 list at #23 and #21 respectively, are also giving Orlando City a good reputation for it’s younger talent. In fact, Orlando City had five players amongst the fifty that were eligible for the honor, including Carlos Rivas and Rafael Ramos in addition to the other three.
Cyle Larin Hype Reel
Orlando City is one of the youngest teams in the league, with an average age of 26.46 at the start of the 2016 season. The starting lineup frequently features young stars like Larin and Redding, in addition to other young talent such as Tony Rocha and Mikey Ambrose, who both came up from the Orlando City B team at the end of the July transfer window.
Youth is important for any team, but it especially important to Orlando City and the development of MLS. While veteran players like Kaká bring experience and skill, young players bring energy and passion. Both are necessary for a team to be successful.
Orlando City has created a system where young players can learn from veterans and develop in an environment where they are able to test their skills. Yes, sometimes they will make mistakes. But the experience will ultimately give them more knowledge and more skill when they take to the pitch for the next match.
