Orlando City Kick Off Countdown Day 8: Darwin Cerén
We are counting down to Orlando City’s kickoff of the 2016 MLS season against Real Salt Lake. Each of the remaining 25 days leading up to March 6th we will take a look at one player on the club’s first team roster and their potential role and impact for the coming season.
Day 8: Darwin Cerén
Darwin Cerén enters 2016 on the heels of a breakout season in 2015 where he took home the MLS Latino del Año award among other accolades. Cerén notched 2 goals and 2 assists in 26 appearances for Orlando City last season. The El Salvador National Team captain’s stellar play in central midfield was one of the main reasons Orlando City was so competetive in their inaugural campaign. For his efforts, Orlando City awarded Cerén with a new contract and a pay raise.
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So how do we see him fitting into the side in 2016?
When Orlando City signed a hefty contract with Antonio Nocerino, Cerén looked like he could be the odd man out in the usual 4–2–3–1 holding role. However, this preseason has brought a change of formation from Adrian Heath. With the new look 4–3–2–1, Nocerino should slot in as a 3rd midfielder along with Cerén and Cristian Higuita when the team is at full strength. However, with Nocerino’s late arrival and Higuita opening the year on a one game suspension, Cerén will fill his regular role in the center of the pitch for the forseeable future.
While Cerén’s play was a nice surprise last year, he could still improve offensively and should be able to tally a few more goals and assists this year. The 26-year-old has a magnificent shot from distance, and hopefully will have a little more freedom to be adventurous offensively this season.
