Orlando City has not yet signed a major player this offseason, but it doesn't feel that way for those around the team.
Kevin Molino is back after tearing his ACL last May, and the implications are massive if the two-time USL most valuable player can regain the form that made him one of the most exciting players on the roster last season.
Lions defender Brek Shea talked about how much more dynamic Orlando City can be in the attack with Molino on the field, and the headaches Molino causes for opposing teams. Reigning MLS rookie of the year Cyle Larin pointed out he and Molino only played a limited time together, and Molino assisted on Larin's first MLS goal in Portland.
There will be very little waiting period before seeing Molino. It has been eight months since he underwent ACL surgery in May, and he'll be at the 10-month point by the start of the regular season.
"He's champing at the bit, first day back preseason we expect him to join in," Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said earlier this month at the MLS Scouting Combine. "Obviously we'll tread carefully with him because it is a long period of time. … I think he had about six or seven days off where he went home and saw the New Year in, but since then he's been in the building training. He looks good, which is incredible because we used to have to bribe him to get him in the gym and now he's got one of those beach bodies, he quite likes going into the gym.
"We're really looking forward to getting him back on the field."