OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis had a successful first year with Orlando City B. The team made it to the playoffs and had three players signed to MLS contracts. But Pulis knows that this team can do even more.
“The way that I am, and I know the that the the organization and the club and Rob and the staff that we got around here, we want to be better,” Pulis said, speaking Tom, Dan, and Tom on this week’s Soccercast. “We want to push on and be constantly improving, so we knew that in order to do that we were gonna have to make changes to the playing roster.”
For Pulis and his team, the work started right after OCB excited the USL playoffs.
“It’s been a long process,” Pulis said. “I mean, from that day after we lost in the playoffs at Red Bulls II, we kind of had an idea of where we wanted to go with it and the changes that we wanted to try and make.”
“We kind of had an idea of some of the players that we had seen last year whilst we were playing these games and scouting other teams in preparation for games, that we wanted to try and target and see if we could bring in,” Pulis said. “We thought that, obviously they had the potential to be good with us at the USL level, but also had the potential to try and kick on and play at the MLS level. So, we’re pleased with the recruiting that we’ve done.”
Pulis noted that for all young USL players, the goal is to make MLS. So, when Pulis is recruiting for Orlando City B, he has to convince these players that he can hone in on their talents, improve their skills, and give them a shot at the first team. Pulis has plenty of evidence to support him: Pierre da Silva, Tony Rocha, and Mikey Ambrose all signed MLS contracts and got minutes with the first team.
So far, Pulis is pleased with the changes he has made. He feels that the group this year is more mature and has more leadership capabilities. Instead of Pulis being their lone guide, players are helping each other. This doesn’t just help the existing squad; it makes them a more appealing destination for young players.
Of course, playing in a brand new stadium doesn’t hurt either.
“I, for one, am really, really excited about playing there. We’ve been there a few times now… and the facility is outstanding,” Pulis said. “I honestly don’t think there are many better soccer-specific stadiums in the United States. And we’re really really fortunate and really really privileged to be able to play in that stadium for our home games. And it’s something that, like I said, I know for a fact that the guys are really excited about it too.”
OCB had a successful first year. But the second year brings new opportunities: a new stadium, new players, and new opponents. The journey starts this Saturday in Tampa.
To catch the full conversation on Soccercast, click here.
