How Former Orlando City Players Fared on Contract Deadline Day

With the exception of the four team still alive in the MLS Cup playoffs as of Monday, we now know what each team’s roster looks like after the 2017 season. Orlando City, which dropped its list of cuts the day before Thanksgiving in years past, was among the first to announce which players had their contract options picked up or declined for 2018, but it wasn’t until Monday when we learned what the bulk of the league was doing.

Fans get attached to players for all kinds of reasons — whether it’s a kind word after a match, a favorite or retweet on Twitter, an interaction at a charity event or player signing, etc. I figured this was a good time to look around the league and see how former Lions made out on Contract Deadline Day just to collect them in one spot and let everyone know how some of their favorite former OCSC lads made out.

Some of the following are former MLS Lions and some played in Orlando during the USL days, but all are part of the history of this team.

Atlanta

D, Mikey Ambrose — option exercised.

MF, Harrison Heath — option declined.

Colorado

MF, Luis Gil — option to purchase declined.

LA Galaxy 

GK, Jon Kempin (played nine games on loan in 2013) — option declined.

Minnesota United

MF, Kevin Molino — still under contract.

New York City FC 

MF, Mikey Lopez (played nine games on loan in 2014) — option declined.

New York Red Bulls 

D, Aurelien Collin — still under contract.

Philadelphia Union

F, CJ Sapong (played four games on loan in 2013) — still under contract.

Portland Timbers

MF, Amobi Okugo — option declined.

D, Lawrence Olum (played 21 games in 2011) — still under contract.

San Jose Earthquakes

MF, Darwin Ceren — option exercised.

Sporting Kansas City

D, Kevin Ellis (played five games on loan in 2013) – under contract

Vancouver Whitecaps

F/MF, Brek Shea — still under contract.