Orlando City has loaned several players to its USL affiliate, Orlando City B, ahead of Saturday night’s season opening I-4 Derby at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg. When OCB kicks off against the Rowdies, MLS Lions Tommy Redding, Kevin Alston, Richie Laryea, Pierre Da Silva, Hadji Barry, and PC will all be on the USL side’s roster, as well as SuperDraft pick Danny Deakin.
OCB starts its second USL season against its most hated – and nearest, geographically – Eastern Conference rival. Although the club would probably say the loans are merely to get senior team players some much-needed playing time during the international break from MLS play – and, in fairness, it does serve that purpose – there’s more than a small part of me that feels this move is partly due to wanting to field a stronger team against Tampa Bay.