Rodrigo Schlegel's Mexico move may come back to haunt Orlando City

After a slow start, Orlando City's off-season is well and truly underway.

In one of many transfer bombshells to drop last week, it was confirmed that Rodrigo Schlegel had departed for Liga MX side Atlas after six seasons in Central Florida.

"Rodrigo has been an incredible part of our history," said Ricardo Moreira on the club's official website. "We are deeply grateful for all he has done, both on and off the field, and wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of his career."  

From that legendary shoot-out stop from Gudmundur Thórarinsson to that last-minute equaliser against Nashville SC to keep our Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup dreams alive, the 28-year-old is responsible for conjuring some of the most memorable moments in Orlando's history.

Yes, Schlegel's performances across his six-year stint may best be described as 'inconsistent', but this move came as nothing but a huge shock. Starting each and every game in Major League Soccer for which he was available last season, Óscar Pareja trusted him with his life.

On the one hand, his departure serves as the perfect opportunity for Moreira and co. to recruit a replacement capable of rejuvenating what has been a pretty dismal defence of late. But, for a number of reasons, this move prompts more questions than it answers.

A mountain to climb

Following Thomas Williams' departure earlier this month, Schlegel is now the second centre-back to be shown the door this off-season. That leaves Robin Jansson and David Brekalo as the only two senior options in the heart of defence heading into the new year, and that's assuming we recruit a new left-back to enable the latter to finally revert back to his natural position.

With so few options remaining, the truth is bleak. Another two quality centre-backs must be recruited at the bare minimum, and that's no easy feat.

One opportunity has already passed Orlando by. Enjoying a stellar breakout season last time out, Justin Haak is rumoured to be on his way to LA Galaxy via free agency. Obviously, there's plenty more fish in the sea, but the 24-year-old was a near-guaranteed hit staring Orlando right in the face.

Big shoes to fill

I'll admit it. I was never Schlegel's biggest fan.

But even if he never boasted the consistency needed to ever rank among the best of the best in this league, I'm adamant that he still had plenty to offer as a third-choice centre-back - so long as he was content with playing that reduced role, of course.

Let's not forget, he amassed a huge 180 games for a side that, during most of his six-year stint, were consistently competing for championships on both the national and the continental level. No imposter could ever bluff his way into achieving what Schlegel did over such a prolonged period of time at Orlando, even if his trademark moments of madness prevented him from true greatness.

Finding a replacement of his quality is certainly not an impossible task, but it only adds to Orlando's ever-growing workload to be completed this off-season.

Questionable recruitment strategy?

With veterans like Schlegel, Kyle Smith, and Pedro Gallese seemingly being replaced by the likes of Tiago and Luis Otávio, Orlando's dressing room is set to assume a much more youthful feel next season.

For some, myself included, this is a welcome change. Some of those who've departed were very clearly on their last legs, and have been for some time.

But every winning team must strike that fine balance between youth and experience. These three leaders, boasting 597 club appearances between them, will be dearly missed, and they are yet to be replaced.

As has become all too clear amid the Carlos Coronel saga, securing players with proven pedigree in this league will not be easy. By letting so many leaders leave within a matter of days, Orlando may well have bitten off more than they can chew this off-season.