Orlando City Acquires Left Back Corey Ashe from Houston Dynamo

It turns out, Orlando City’s depth problem at left back was short-lived. The club acquired Corey Ashe from the Houston Dynamo this evening in exchange for general allocation money — not the newly announced Targeted Allocation Money funds — and a second-round selection in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

Head Coach Adrian Heath said on his coach’s show tonight that “a player that may be announced tomorrow” would start Saturday. Ashe, a two-time MLS All-Star and a former MLS Cup champion, appears to be that player, and should start when the Lions take on New York Red Bulls at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. He had not featured for the Dynamo this season.

This is a huge development for the club, which is without injured star Brek Shea (out indefinitely with a groin injury) and starting left back Luke Boden (one-game suspension). Ashe provides a veteran presence with pace, although he’ll obviously have to put in time with his new teammates to build some chemistry.

"Corey brings a high level of experience and league success to the Lions," said General Manager Paul McDonough in a club press release. "We expect to see his immediate contributions to the Club and look forward to having him in Orlando City purple."

Ashe is a 5-foot-5, 155-pound native of Virginia Beach, VA, who has made over 200 appearances with the Dynamo. He is second on Houston’s all-time appearance list. With Houston, Ashe won the 2007 MLS Cup and was selected to Major League Soccer’s All-Star Game in 2011 and 2013. He also won a CONCACAF Gold Cup championship with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2013.

The 29-year-old Virginia Beach, Virginia, native began his career in 2007 with the Dynamo after a standout four-year career with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ashe featured in 22 games and six starts in his inaugural campaign – the most by a Dynamo rookie – prior to becoming a crucial piece of the team during his nine-year tenure with the club.

The University of North Carolina product scored 22 goals in his four-year college career before being drafted in the second round (26^th overall) in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. He was co-captain of the U.S. U-17 team from 2001-03.

Ashe can also play left wing.

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