With the MLS season starting in less than a month, there is one team making fewer moves than the rest of the teams in the league.
This club is in Orlando City. The institution is having a quiet market this month.
Almost every team improved their roster. LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls…
But the Lions are doing quite the opposite. This month, Orlando City signed Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza.
But the quiet part is over. Fabrizio Romano makes it almost official. Marco Pasalic will join the club in a $5 million plus add-ons deal. According to the reporter, the player will travel to the US in the next few days.
One reason why this is a good deal for Orlando City
Marco Pasalic has international experience. Playing for HNK Rijeka, the Croatian winger has a background in crucial games. Last season, Rijeka was competing for a place in the Uefa Europa League and Uefa Conference League.
Additionally, he has been an essential piece of the team’s results. Pasalic is a winger with goals and assists, but the best thing about this player is his 1v1 duel.
Marco Pasalic is a player that is not afraid to dribble against the defenders. Most of the time, he will succeed and put the team in an offensive position. According to BeSoccer, Pasalic has a stat of 3.25 won duels, which is his best attribute.
Last season, Orlando City finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. With the two signings they made, they had boosted their offense even more. With Luis Muriel as the striker, the addition of Pasalic will get him more opportunities to score.
One reason why this is a bad signing for Orlando City
The reason is short but essential. Both Pasalic and Rodriguez played in the same position. This becomes a crucial problem for the coach because neither of these two players is used to playing in the right part of the field.
But there is a solution. Nicolas Rodriguez can play as a false nine, but the coach has to take out Muriel.
To conclude, this signing has an advantage and a disadvantage.
Pasalic played 27 games between the Croatian League, the national cup, and the classifications for the Europa League, and Conference League.
During those games, he scored seven goals and delivered four assists.
Additionally, he was part of the Croatian national team in the Uefa Nations League A. He was a substitute for four games.
