Orlando City SC and the New York Red Bulls both pulled players from their USL sides this week for spots on the Major League Soccer roster, with Pierre Da Silva making the move from Orlando City B and Dan Metzger from the 2016 USL Cup champion New York Red Bulls II.
Da Silva, a forward, became the first player to make the move from Orlando City B to the franchise’s first team.
“Pierre’s addition is a testament to the quality, competitiveness and benefits of playing with OCB and the clear path we have laid out for Academy players to reach the MLS level.” said Alex Leitão, Orlando City SC’s CEO.
Da Silva made 23 appearances and led OCB to the USL Cup Playoffs in its inaugural season with a team-leading 5 assists and 2 goals. He also has experience with the United States’ youth national teams
Metzger, a midfielder, recorded 40 career appearances, 3 goals and 3 assists with the Red Bulls II who, in addition to the 2016 playoff title, won the regular-season championship as well.
After signing with Red Bulls II, Metzger made seven total appearances for the U.S. U23 Men’s National Team, including four starts, in 2015. He also helped the U.S. U23s to a third-place finish in the 2015 Toulon Tournament.
Also this week, Orlando City B signed forward Joe Gallardo, a 19-year-old academy product with junior national team experience.
Former MVP Molino dealt in trade
Kevin Molino, twice the USL MVP during Orlando City SC’s original days in the league, was moved on Thursday night to new MLS side Minnesota United FC. Minnesota will be coached by Adrian Heath, who formerly led the Lions.
In exchange, Orlando received $450,000 in General Allocation Money and $200,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.
Molino was the Lions’ first MLS signing and sits atop the club’s all-time list in goals (42) and assists (31). The Trinidad & Tobago international helped Orlando claim two USL Cups, and three USL Regular Season Championships.
Saint Louis adds a USL champion
Saint Louis FC announced on Friday the signing of defender Konrad Plewa, formerly of the New York Red Bulls II, for the 2017 season. A native of Poland, Plewa started playing for the New York Red Bulls Academy program in 2010 before attending Seton Hall.
Plewa made 23 appearances this past season and started in every postseason contest as the Red Bulls II claimed the USL Cup.
“Konrad provides another steady defensive presence with not only good defensive habits, but he is also very comfortable on the ball and makes good decisions,” said STLFC General Manager, Jeremy Alumbaugh.
Ottawa Fury signs Tottenham product
Ottawa Fury FC, a newcomer to the USL this year, announced the addition of defensive midfielder Sergio Manesio, who played college soccer for Cleveland State and is a product of both Tottenham’s and West Brom’s academy systems.
Manesio joins Fury FC after four years with Cleveland State, where he started all 69 games and scored 16 goals. The midfielder earned back-to-back Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year awards while also selected to the All-Horizon League Team in both years.
“He’s a winner first and foremost,” said Fury FC Head Coach Paul Dalglish. “He has a great character, great determination to win and fits in the culture we’re trying to create here.”
McLaws returns to City Islanders
The Harrisburg City Islanders announced on Thursday that defender Shawn McLaws will return to the club for the 2017 USL season.
McLaws made the move to Harrisburg a season ago and appeared in all 30 of the City Islanders’ regular-season contests, the only member of the squad to do so. McLaws’ 2,699 minutes logged ranked third in the USL.
“He was very consistent at right back,” said coach Bill Becher. “He certainly helped solidify our back four.”
