Football
ESPN staff 6y

Orlando signs NASL MVP Stefano Pinho, trades for R.J. Allen

Orlando City signed Miami FC striker Stefano Pinho, the reigning NASL most valuable player, on a busy Monday for the Lions.

Pinho, 26, scored 17 goals in 27 league games this year, winning both the Golden Boot as top scorer and Golden Ball as MVP for the second time in three years.

The Brazilian made his greatest impression on Orlando when he scored a hat trick to beat the Lions 3-1 in the U.S. Open Cup in June.

He will help fill the attacking void left by his countryman Kaka, who was out of contract and confirmed his retirement on Sunday.

Also on Monday, Orlando acquired right-back R.J. Allen in a trade with New York City FC and re-signed midfielder Dillon Powers.

Allen, 27, started 42 league games since joining NYCFC midway through the 2015 season. After being a regular in the lineup in 2016, he made just 10 starts this past season, providing three assists.

In exchange, NYCFC will receive a third-round pick in next year's draft.

Powers, 26, joined Orlando in July in a trade from the Colorado Rapids and agreed new terms after the club initially declined his option for the 2018 season.

The former U.S. youth international has 14 league goals in five seasons.

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