Potential Options for Orlando City in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft

Last year, Orlando City traded away all of its SuperDraft picks, save for one that was used to pick up Danny Deakin. Originally, it looked like Deakin was going to be a good fit for the Lions, but he never fell into Jason Kreis’ plans and ended up signing a USL contract with Orlando City B after initially signing an MLS deal.

The Lions traded away all of their other picks. The biggest pick-up in exchange for those selections was Donny Toia, trading away the eighth overall pick to Atlanta, which used it to draft eventual 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year Julian Gressel.

This year, Orlando has picks in all rounds, except round four because of the deal with Sporting Kansas City for the MLS rights to Tony Rocha. With just under a month until the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, there is still plenty of time for the Lions to make moves.

If last year was an indication of what the plan is, the front office could look to trade away draft picks. With General Manager Niki Budalic saying that there could be as many as 12 new players brought in, the Lions will certainly be on the phones looking for some trades.

But if Orlando decides to keep its picks who will it pick up? The Lions hold the sixth overall pick and there will definitely be some options. Midfield is Orlando’s biggest need currently and there are some big prospects.

Syracuse midfielder Mo Adams will most likely be off the board, but Pablo Aguilar could be a good choice as well. However, the best option is to just go for the best player on the board, and there are certainly better options than Aguilar.

Wake Forest forward Jon Bakero could fit well in Orlando. He is a striker that can also play in the midfield. He had 16 goals and 14 assists in 2017, and would either immediately provide depth behind Dom Dwyer or slot into the wings or in a No. 10 role.

Louisville defender Tim Kubel could also be available and will be hard to pass on. Kubel would most likely fight for a starting position from day one and can play right back or in the defensive midfield. In his four years at Louisville, the 24-year-old never missed a start.

The Lions will have plenty of options if they decide to keep their picks, but if Kubel is available he is currently the front runner. Depending on who they can get for the other picks will determine how many picks they keep or trade away, but I hope they keep the sixth overall pick.