Orlando City SC Striker Cyle Larin Ranked League’s Top Player Under 24-Years-Old
By Orlando City Soccer Club // September 23, 2016
Ranked by MLS, presented by EA SPORTS
ABOVE VIDEO: Highlights of Cyle Larin’s very productive but short career in MLS and some highlights of his international play. (Análise de Futebol)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA –Major League Soccer (MLS) ranked Orlando City SC striker Cyle Larin the league’s top player under 24 years old as part of MLSsoccer.com 24 Under 24 presented by EA SPORTS.
“It feels great to be named No. 1 for 24 Under 24. There are a lot of great young players that have been named to it and I just feel honored to be on that list and to be No. 1 in my second year in the league,” Larin said.
“I still have a lot more to do. Getting this award motivates me to continue to keep working hard and keep trying to make the playoffs.”
Larin has built an impressive resume in his two years in MLS. The Canadian was selected No. 1 overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft after two seasons at the University of Connecticut and quickly became a fixture in the Lions’ starting XI.
He shattered the MLS rookie goal-scoring record with 17 goals last season, including two hat-tricks, and was ranked No. 10 in the 24 Under 24 selection en route to 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year honors.
Now just 21 years old, Larin has continued his upward career trajectory. The 6-foot-2 striker scored three goals in three games to begin the season and had a goal and an assist in the Lions’ incredible two-goal stoppage time rally on Opening Day.
His outstanding start of the campaign earned him a spot in the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, joining the league’s best stars as the youngest player on the squad to face English Premier League powerhouse Arsenal FC on July 28.
Larin leads the team and is tied for fifth in the Golden Boot race with 14 goals despite being one of two scorers in the top 10 not to attempt a penalty kick this season. The striker also has a 21.9 percent shooting rate, the second highest among the league’s top 10 scorers.
Larin has also become a fixture in Canada’s national team since making his senior debut in 2014. The Brampton, Ontario, native scored his first international goal in Canada’s 3-0 win over Puerto Rico on March 30, 2015, and had four goals in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
In addition to Larin, City’s Cristian Higuita and Tommy Redding came in at No. 21 and No. 23, respectively. Rafael Ramos and Carlos Rivas were also included in the 50-man short list of the 149 players eligible for 24 Under 24.
The MLSsoccer.com 24 Under 24 presented by EA SPORTS is an annual ranking of the league’s best young players all under the age of 24.
Past ranked players have gone on to play key roles on national teams, garnered multi-million dollar transfer fees and have been recognized with some of the league’s top awards, including Rookie of the Year and MLS Best XI.
Past No. 1 ranked players include U.S. Men’s National Team players Brek Shea (2011), Darlington Nagbe (2013) and DeAndre Yedlin (2014), and Colombian international Fabian Castillo (2015).
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ORLANDO CITY NEWS
