Heath Pearce might not wear purple in 2015 after all.
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, the 30-year-old defender could not come to terms with Orlando City after being taken in the Expansion Draft and will explore other options, including overseas.
Meanwhile, the club has reached agreements with forwards Jairo Arrieta and Danny Mwanga, according to reporter Paul Tenorio. No official word just yet from OCSC on the news.
Pearce was expected to compete for a starting spot either in central defense alongside Aurelien Collin or at outside back, where he's spent most of his career. The three-time MLS All-Star made 20 starts for Montreal in 2014 after recovering from season-ending hip surgery in July 2013.
Along with Bryan Rochez, a Young Designated Player and Honduran international, Arrieta and Mwanga would join the forward corps currently being assembled in Central Florida. And the addition of another Designated Player may not be too far behind.
Arrieta scored 17 goals in 67 appearances over the past three seasons with the Columbus Crew, while Mwanga – selected No. 1 overall in 2010 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia – has 15 career goals in 98 appearances for the Union, Timbers and Rapids.
Orlando hold the No. 1 pick in Thursday's MLS SuperDraft (live stream on MLSsoccer.com), as well as a pair of picks at the beginning of the second round.
