Michael Orozco
American defender Michael Orozco has been linked to Philadelphia Union after breaking his contract with San Luis of Mexico’s Primera division.
Orozco, 23, had been starting for the team but was released from his contract so he could join Philadelphia, according to a report today by Univision. He can play either center back or fullback and played under Nowak at the 2008 Olympics.
Orozco has one cap for the senior U.S. national team, so he will likely be subject to Major League Soccer’s allocation process, just like other returning internationals. Philadelphia now holds the sixth slot in the allocation order after trading the top allocation slot this week for Brazilian midfielder Fred, a first round pick used on forward Jack McInerney, and allocation cash.
With the Union having three starting-quality defenders on their roster at left and center back, he might project at left back or transform defenders Shavar Thomas and Jordan Harvey into trade bait — provided the Union can get Orozco.
Check out the video highlight of Orozco at the 30-second mark.
What do you think of Orozco? Do you think he’d be a good addition, and do you think the Union can get him? Are you wishing the Union hadn’t traded away that top allocation spot before the draft? Weigh in below.
Jordan Harvey played left back as a starter all year for Colorado last year.
Only Thomas and Califf could be considered quality center backs.
So either someone converts or we are trading Califf or Thomas in order for them all to be starters.
Thanks for the catch. Sloppiness fixed.
Either way, an Orozco acquisition means you have four starting quality players at three positions, and on an expansion team that means potential trade bait. That’s not to say a left back can’t slide to the right side. And it’s not to say the Union will even get him, considering their allocation pick is 6th.