Once a Goat: Eric Avila makes surprise move to Orlando City SC

For those of you watching to see where former Chivas USA player Eric Avila was going to end up, the good news is he's at last landed with a team.

The surprising news? He's not playing in Mexico after all.

Orlando City SC announced on Monday that they have obtained Avila through the Allocation Order. This is a surprise because he never actually joined a team in Mexico (recall that there was a verbal agreement for him to be sold to Santos Laguna, though that didn't materialize in the end, before he ended up trialling with both Chivas de Guadalajara and Queretaro last month). Also, the Allocation Order usually is used for players who are U.S. national team members, and Avila's never been capped by the senior team.

Although the team officially said they've "signed" Avila, Soccer By Ives' Ryan Tolmich reported on Monday that Avila's deal is really a loan from Santos Laguna. Huh?!

So who knows exactly how Avila got into the Allocation Order in the first place, or whether he's there permanently or not, but he's with Orlando City now, where he won't be joined by any Chivas USA players on the roster, though Michael Nwiloh was a triallist there as of last week. But he will be reunited with frequent instagram guest and former FC Dallas teammate Brek Shea.

Best of luck to Eric in his new locale.

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