The first domino of Orlando's active offseason fell on Nov. 9 when the Lions swung a trade for Toronto FC's Luca Petrasso. Orlando City traded the Reds a package of General Allocation Money worth up to $400K over the next two seasons for the 22-year-old wide man.
Petrasso played primarily as a left back for Toronto this past season, but started his career as a winger. The young Canadian started his professional career for his hometown club as a Homegrown player, and flashed in his moments of playing time.
The Canadian fullback played 23 games for the Reds last season, registering two assists along the way -- with another two coming in the Canadian Championship.
Petrasso's background as an attacker is obvious, especially with his ability on the dribble and as a crosser. He's doesn't possess excellent pace or strength, but he's a functional athlete, not unlike Orlando's current left back Joao Moutinho.
The former TFC man is currently valued at $1.2 million by Transfermarkt, with his value exploding over the last season. As 22 years old, Petrasso is only improving and rounding into an intriguing player in Major League Soccer.
This is a signing Orlando's needed for several seasons, even if Petrasso's a bit of an unknown to most fans outside of Toronto. Regardless of Moutinho's future, the Lions desprately needed at least one more first-team caliber left back.
Adding another left-footed, offensivley capable left back -- and one with some potential -- is exactly the player Orlando needed to fill in, either behind Moutinho or taking over for the Portuguese defender.
Getting a player of Petrasso's quality for a maximum of $400K in GAM is a steal of a deal, especially considering his minimal salary. It's not a big, sexy splash, but these are the types of smart moves on the margins that separate decent and good teams from genuine title challengers.