Five MLS Players Orlando City Should Target This Summer

Orlando City is expected to be very active during this summer’s transfer window, which opened up on Wednesday. Head coach Adrian Heath and General Manager Paul McDonough will have plenty of work ahead of them over the next month, as the Lions try to plug up some of the holes on their roster in hopes of locking down their chances of claiming a playoff spot this fall.

Being linked with plenty of players overseas recently, it seems like the Lions could be looking outside of Major League Soccer this summer to find suitable players to fill their needs.

But that doesn't mean Orlando City is only looking outside of the country for players, with plenty of options sitting much closer to home, already here in MLS.

McDonough recently spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about the club's plans this summer.

"We're in negotiations and things are moving along, but we're just not over the finish line yet," he said. "We're close."

He also talked about any trade talks happening with fellow MLS clubs.

"We've talked to teams, but nothing that's really intriguing for us. There has been a lot of trade discussions, but nothing that makes sense for us," McDonough told the Sentinel.

"I don't think we are a team that will look to use the Targeted Allocation Money as an asset. One of the benefits of being a new team is we got a chunk of allocation money and we still have some of it, but yes, we'll always look for money. It depends on what people want for it."

But what if the Lions do look to find options around MLS? We came up with five names that Orlando City should look to target this summer.

Kelyn Rowe, midfielder, New England Revolution

Given Orlando City’s need to fill on the right wing with Kevin Molino out for the season, Rowe would be a perfect fit for the Lions on the right side of the midfield next to Kaká.

Why Rowe? He can't even make the starting lineup in New England. Well, yeah, but only because the names in front of him are playing really well.

Rowe has the ability to be a game-changer. He’s an excellent passer, and can serve in good crosses from the right side, which Orlando has lost lately with Eric Avila there in front of Rafael Ramos, who’s seen his action drop a little since Carlos Rivas recently picked up his play and Luke Boden became another threat on the left.

He's not a big goal scorer, but he makes guys around him better so that they can be the goal scorers.

Hey, we've even got a great trade idea!

Boniek Garcia, midfielder, Houston Dynamo

If you’re looking for a more well-known, just as dangerous, if not more, piece on the right wing, look no further than Houston’s World Cup veteran. The 30-year-old appeared in three games at last summer’s World Cup with Honduras, and is currently away with them at the Gold Cup.

This might be seen as an unrealistic option, but Orlando City is looking for "good soccer players," according to McDonough, and Garcia is a good soccer player. So there you go.

Dom Dwyer, forward, Sporting KC

Shame on you for thinking we'd make it through an MLS targets post without mentioning Dom Dwyer, you guys.

Adrian Heath really, really wants Dwyer back in purple, and Heath also swears that Dwyer wants to return to Orlando, too, saying it's his "spiritual home."

Orlando City might be willing to give up everything they own to get Dwyer back, and just landed another tradeable asset in the Target Allocation Money MLS handed out to teams yesterday.

Kofi Opare, defender, DC United

Orlando City needs to find some depth on the back line this summer after having to deal with injuries constantly — whether it’s Aurelien Collin or Tommy Redding, and now Conor Donovan, too. Opare would give them experienced depth without having to promise too much.

Opare stepped in for D.C. United when Steven Birnbaum went down early in the year and played quite well. He's not a regular starter for United at the moment, and Orlando City could use that as an advantage to pick him up for their bench needs this summer.

Alvaro Saborio, forward, Real Salt Lake

If the Lions are looking for more depth at the forward position, Utah might not be a bad place to look. According to some chatter on Twitter, it looks like Saborio's days at RSL could be coming to an end this season, and Orlando City could end up as a decent fit for the 33-year-old Costa Rican international.

His recent off-field issues could present a problem for the Lions should they look into acquiring him, but overall this might just end up being exactly what Orlando City is looking for — an experienced veteran striker to help lead and protect the younger forwards on the roster like Cyle Larin and Bryan Róchez from being overworked this season.

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What do you think? Which MLS players should the Lions target this summer? Comment below!