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Orlando City SC's first draft pick as an MLS expansion club was history both for the new club and for UConn.
The Lions selected former Husky and Canadian international Cyle Larin with the No. 1 pick in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft. Larin is the second UConn player to be taken No. 1 overall – Philadelphia Union selected goalkeeper Andre Blake No. 1 in 2014. UConn is the first school to have No. 1 picks in consecutive years at the MLS SuperDraft.
UConn now has three No. 1 selections in MLS SuperDraft history. Larin and Blake were preceded by 2002 top selection Chris Gbandi of the Dallas Burn.
In two years at UConn, Larin scored 23 goals and notched six assists. His play in Storrs earned him three caps with the senior national team for Canada in 2014. He came on late and nearly scored against Columbia, the No. 3 team in the world, on Oct. 14.
Larin was the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft, and Orlando City was on the phones fielding offers for the top spot from teams that wanted to jump up and grab him. The club decided to hold on to the pick to take a player head coach Adrien Heath expects to do well for his club.
"We believe that we've selected the best player in the draft. Cyle has incredible potential and we look forward to working with him." AH
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 15, 2015
Larin joins two more former Huskies on Orlando City's inaugural MLS team. The club picked up midfielder Tony Cascio and goalkeeper Josh Ford in December as it continued to build its squad.
A dangerous attacking player, Larin will also be a target for Kaka, the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year and one of the most talented playmaking midfielders in the world.
UConn defender Sergio Campbell was the second Husky selected in the first round. The Jamaican center back goes to the Columbus Crew with the 19th overall pick.