The 2018 preseason is well underway with Orlando City now having completed two matches. But one thing is very different this year from the previous two; the lack of opportunities for the young trialists. With fewer spots to compete for, it will be more difficult for them to win a place and this may result in Orlando City missing out on a future first-team player.
While most people focus on first-team players gaining experience and young players developing, another key aspect of a reserve team is that it provides a place for those that don’t make the MLS squad but who the club still has interest in.