2019 Orlando City Season in Review: Dillon Powers

Dillon Powers just completed his second full season and third overall with Orlando City in 2019 after being acquired in the summer of 2017 from the Colorado Rapids. Prior to his time in Orlando, Powers was a staple with the Rapids, playing in an average of 31 games up until his final season with the club. Now on a club heavy on midfielders, Powers hasn’t had much of an opportunity to see the pitch.

The 2013 MLS Rookie of the Year played in only three league matches (no starts) during the 2018 season, receiving an incomplete grade from this site a year ago. So, how did he rate in 2019?

Statistical Breakdown

Powers appeared in only seven matches in 2019, playing a total of 620 minutes. He more than doubled his appearances and increased his minutes of league play almost tenfold. He didn’t score a goal in league play but he did register an assist. He attempted four shots and got one of them on target. Powers averaged 0.9 key passes and 47 passes per game with 85% accuracy. Defensively, the midfielder averaged 1.3 tackles, an interception, 1.4 clearances, 1.1 dribbles, and 0.3 blocks per game.

He also competed in three of Orlando’s four U.S. Open Cup matches, starting two and playing 246 minutes and attempting three shots, with two on frame.

Overall, he had a surprisingly good performance for such little time out with the team.

Best Game

You could argue that Dillon Powers’ best game was the Memphis match in the U.S. Open Cup run where The Mane Land’s Ben Miller argued Chris Mueller was the only player slightly better than him, rating Powers an 8 for his performance on the night. But, I’m going with the 2-1 loss to Seattle on the road. Yes, his turnover on a loose touch and Danilo Acosta losing Handwalla Bwana in the box led to a goal for Seattle in the 73rd minute. However, his assist on Mueller’s goal from distance in the 75th helped keep the match from being a shutout. That goal was also the first scored by a Lion other than Nani in 534 minutes.  

2019 Final Grade

With significantly more minutes over last season, The Mane Land staff rated Dillon Powers a 5.5 for 2019. He really made the most of his time in the Open Cup and in regular league play. He stayed focused, ran himself crazy like we see from Will Johnson, and was seemingly a good fit for the midfield when he played.

2020 Outlook

Seeing so few minutes over the last couple of seasons, the outlook for Powers’ spot in the 2020 roster is cloudy. He’s made a good showing in his time with the team, but with a guaranteed salary of $200,000, so many midfielders, and so few minutes, I could see the club parting ways to free up the funds. It might be best for both parties to part ways at this time.

His frustration with his lack of playing time was clear when he talked to The Mane Land’s Scott Carnevale earlier this season.

“Yeah [it’s been frustrating not playing much]. I feel like, as a player, you want to play games. Why else am I here? I think it’s been a huge year of growth for me. I’ve been really able to dial in my mindset and my physique, and I feel like I’m playing some of the best football I’ve ever played in my life. I’m seeing the game better than I have.”

Previous Season in Review Articles (Date Posted)

• Greg Ranjitsingh (10/10)
• Santiago Patiño (10/11)
• Danilo Acosta (10/11)
• Alex De John (10/13)
• Robinho (10/14)
• Benji Michel (10/15)
• Mauricio Pereyra (10/16)
• Adam Grinwis (10/17)
• João Moutinho (10/17)
• Shane O’Neill (10/18)