Orlando City SC Forward Cyle Larin Named MLS Rookie of the Year

The following is a press release from MLS Communications.

NEW YORK (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015) – Major League Soccer announced today that record-setting Orlando City SC and Canadian National Team forward Cyle Larin is the winner of the AT&T Rookie of the Year Award.

The first overall pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Connecticut, Larin proved to be invaluable for Orlando City SC during the expansion club’s inaugural year. Larin wasted little time letting opponents know what was in store, scoring his first goal in his first professional start in Orlando’s 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers on April 12. The 20-year-old would go on to have one of the most impactful first seasons in MLS, setting a new MLS rookie scoring record with 17 tallies in 27 regular season matches, and finishing tied for fifth on the Audi Golden Boot chart. For the year, Orlando City posted an 8-2-1 record when the 6’2″ striker scored a goal.

The Brampton, Ontario native finished his historic campaign with four multi-goal games, and became the first rookie to register two hat tricks – both coming in his two appearances in the New York area. He scored three second-half goals at Yankee Stadium in a 5-3 loss to New York City FC on July 26, and then added three more goals on September 25 in a 5-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. His first goal on that night, a 24th minute header off a Kaká corner kick, was his 12th of the season, surpassing the previous MLS record of 11 goals by a rookie which was set by Chicago Fire forward Damani Ralph in 2003 – another former University of Connecticut forward.

In addition to MLS play, Larin also scored his first international goal for the Canadian Men’s National Team on March 30 in a 3-0 friendly win over Puerto Rico. He has tallied three goals in 12 appearances since debuting in 2014, and is currently with the team for its upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. Larin is the second consecutive Canadian player to win the AT&T Rookie of the Year after FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele took home the honor in 2014.