Orlando City striker Cyle Larin has matured into one of Major League Soccer’s most prolific goal scorers. Larin’s elite ability to score in a variety of ways has made him Orlando City’s record goal scorer and talisman since 2015. Now the City no. 9 eyes goal scoring milestones that will put him in the MLS record books, too.
After scoring his 40th career MLS regular season goal against Montreal, Larin, 22, became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals. And, with another milestone right around the corner, Larin would become just the third player in MLS history to score 50 career goals before his 25th birthday -- joining Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz as the only two MLS players to have accomplished that feat.
Here is a look at Cyle Larin’s blossoming MLS career since being drafted first overall by Orlando three years ago:
2015 - Off To A Flying Start
Larin bursted onto the scene in 2015 when he set an MLS all-time record for most goals by a rookie -- scoring 17 times. He won the AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year award and, much to the delight of Orlando City fans, did not encounter a sophomore slump the following year.
2016 - Coming Into His Own
Cyle Larin’s development into a model no.9 in MLS did not take long. 2016 showed us that his ability to play back-to-goal is second to none in Major League Soccer. He can score goals with either foot; his aerial prowess is well documented; he truly is a consummate no.9.
2016 saw Larin bag 14 goals for Orlando City. He played in all but two games of the 2016 season for the Lions -- starting 29 of those matches.
2017 - Keeping It Rolling
As if he needed it, the opening of Orlando City Stadium seemed to invigorate Larin. He sprinted out the gate in 2017 with six goals in six matches for the Lions -- leading City to a 5-1-1 record to start the campaign.
Larin now has nine goals in 2017, once again leading his Club in that statistic. 11 games remain on Orlando City’s schedule and Larin will be looking to finish the season with a bang alongside new striking partner Dom Dwyer.
