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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 83: Orlando City rebuilds with Austin David of Orlando Soccer Show

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 15: Orlando City SC forward Dom Dwyer (18) kicks the ball during the soccer match between Orlando City SC and The Columbus Crew on October 15, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 15: Orlando City SC forward Dom Dwyer (18) kicks the ball during the soccer match between Orlando City SC and The Columbus Crew on October 15, 2017 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Orlando City season kicks off Saturday as the team hits a major crossroads. Like the Orlando Magic two years ago, they are pushing in to make the Playoffs.

Stop me if you have heard a season play out like this before.

A team that had been retooling and felt ready to take the next step in its development gets off to an incredibly hot start. Everyone begins to believe as the team races out to the top of the standings. Playoff dreams dance in everyone’s heads.

Then injuries begin to hit. First to some periphery players and the team finds a way to survive. Then some big pieces. And the rope begins to slip.

Suddenly the team is in free fall. And even as players come back nothing can stop the carnage.

The Orlando Magic’s 2018 season has mirrored the 2017 Orlando City season almost completely.

The Lions moved into the sparkling new Orlando City Stadium and started on a tear, winning six of their first seven games. It looked like Orlando City was set to rule over the Eastern Conference and make their first MLS Playoff appearance.

The team then proceeded to finish with just four more wins the rest of the season. Orlando City finished in 10th place in a conference with just 11 teams.

The Magic know that feeling. They started 8-4 this season and have proceeded to collapse completely. They have won just 10 games since Nov. 11 and have the worst record in the league. The turnarounds are startling.

The Magic will have their time to recover and bounce back this summer. The promise of a high draft pick will continue to entice them and their fans.

Orlando City already went to work. The team lost perhaps two of its best players in Kaka and Cyle Larin. But it was a busy offseason.

The team worked to remake its entire roster, especially in the midfield. They added U.S. National Team stalwart Sacha Kljestan and promising Paraguayan national Josue Colman. Dom Dwyer is alone atop after the team acquired him midyear last year. And there are plenty of new faces.

This is Orlando City’s all-in season, it seems. The team has missed the playoffs for three straight years in MLS and they hope these changes will help them burst through.

Again, Magic fans can offer some warnings for Lions fans on what the season might have in store.

Orlando City kicks off its season Saturday against D.C. United. To get ready for the season, I chatted with Austin David of the Orlando Soccer Show to preview this critical season for the Lions.

On This Episode:

  • What happened in this offseason of change for Orlando City
  • What did Orlando City lose with Kaka? What did they gain by moving on?
  • How did Orlando City build this team with an eye on now and on the future?
  • Who steps into Orlando City’s leadership void with Kaka gone? What kind of culture is Jason Kreis building?
  • What will Sacha Kljestan bring to the team?
  • Is this a do-or-die season for Orlando City?
  • What style is Jason Kreis trying to build for the Lions?
  • What is the fan culture like for Orlando City four years into MLS?
  • How much winning matters to Orlando City fan support.
  • How Orlando City’s community efforts have embedded the franchise with the city.
  • What does the future hold for the Orlando Magic?

Be sure to follow Austin David on Twitter @austindavid22 and check out his podcast the Orlando Soccer Show on iTunes.

Next: OMD Facebook Live: Trust what process?

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