In an announcement made by Orlando City SC, the 55-year-old Englishman, Adrian Heath, was fired from his manageral position at Major League Soccer side Orlando City, and I am torn as to whether the decision was the right one. 

Struggling to impress and improve 

One of the biggest reasons Adrian Heath exited Orlando was his lack of improvement within the team over the past two seasons in MLS. 

The decision to fire Heath came just two days after the Lions suffered a dismal 4-0 loss at FC Dallas. The team's most recent loss and poor display against Dallas appeared uninspired. Orlando City is currently sitting in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, which is one spot out of playoff contention. With just four wins, four losses and eight ties (4-4-8, 20 points), OCSC have had an inconsistent start to the season, and that would make it difficult for any board not to relieve its manager of his duties. 

In its inaugural season in MLS, Orlando's struggles were to be expected. After jumping up two divisions from the United Soccer League, the spike in competition took its toll and Orlando finished in seventh place in the Eastern conference. 

However, in the team's second season in MLS, no strides have been made by way of improved results or an improved place in the table. Much like last season, OCSC sit in seventh place, and much like last season, Orlando are not in a playoff spot. 

The decision to part with Heath because of the lack of results in recent memory made sense. If there is any instance where a club stalls, seemingly peaks and cannot get better, then something must change. 

 Recent losses to FC Dallas and Fort Lauderdale have sent Orlando spiraling down (Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY)

Five days before the Dallas loss, Orlando City was knocked out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after losing at home for the first time in almost a year against North American Soccer League side Fort Lauderdale Strikers, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

In sports, being fired or keeping a job can come down to what someone as manager is doing in the now. Unfortunately, Heath's current performance as manager of OCSC has been anything but flattering, and in my eyes, his firing can be justified for that very reason.

However, I have reason to believe the decision might not have been the best idea.

An injured Kaka injured Heath

The decision to fire Heath is harsh in that he was without his best player for a good majority of the first half of the season. Kaka has not been 100 percent this season and it has cost Orlando and Heath. According to TransferMarkt.com, the Brazilian international has missed seven of the team's 16 matches. 

The attacking duo of Kaka and Cyle Larin have found it difficult to be in the starting lineup together this season, and this team will only win games consistently if both are healthy and in the starting lineup. Larin has only missed one game this season, but it was a match that a healthy Kaka was present. Both players must be on the pitch for Orlando to win. 

With Larin (Left) and Kaka (Right) struggling to be on the pitch at the same time, Adrian Heath found it much harder to win games (Adam Hunger/USA TODAY)

It is extremely difficult to judge a manager that does not have his best weapons at his constant disposal. Kaka has scored three goals and assisted five this season in just nine games for Orlando, according to ESPNFC. If he was fit for all 16 games, the offensive production would have been far better and Heath might still have a job. 

Undermining previous success?

Heath possessed a great deal of passion and loyalty to the club for many consecutive years. The Englishman also brought success to Orlando City in its early years in the USL and continued to try to achieve the same level of success in MLS. 

Heath has been with the club since its inception. He was appointed as manager of USL-1 expansion team Austin Aztex in 2008. Although the team was relocated to Orlando, Heath stuck along for the ride and enjoyed a great amount of success in the sunshine state. 

Heath won two USL Championships and three USL regular season titles with Orlando. He was also named USL coach of the year twice. During his managerial career with Orlando, including his time as manager of the Austin Aztex, Heath won just under half of the games he managed, which is quite respectable. 

His ability to win and achieve success could not be questioned. In turn, I feel as if Heath should feel a bit hard done.

The MLS and USL are two different worlds with regards to competition and skill, and I find that parting ways with a loyal servant to the club is harsh. Heath had the ability to push his team to win, I think he should have been allowed to finish out the remainder of the season. 

What's Next for OCSC?

According to the report by the Lions mentioned above, while the club searches for a new head coach, the team will be led by Assistant Coach Bobby Murphy and Orlando City B Assistant Coach Anthony Pulis. 

Orlando City will be back in the action on July 8 as the team will host the Houston Dynamo at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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About the author
Zachary Smith
• Broadcast Journalism Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla. • QPR and Jacksonville Armada FC Fan • Experienced in sports videography, broadcasting and writing as well as editing via Adobe Premiere • Co-Host of The Youth Academy Podcast