ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 Sports Director David Pingalore has learned through Orlando City team sources that team founder and president Phil Rawlins is growing tired of owner Flávio Augusto da Silva.
This is coming to the surface now because of the recent firing of head coach Adrian Heath.
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Heath and Rawlins have been together for the last eight seasons. The last six have been with the Orlando City, with the last two in Major League Soccer.
No one from the front office has yet to address the media in a customary Q&A session about such a monumental moment within a franchise.
On Thursday, the day after the firing, Rawlins was a no-show to discuss the matter. Instead, team captain Kaka did most of the talking with assistant coach and now interim head coach Bobby Murphy.
"This is a normal situation in soccer. We depend on the results and sometime we need some change," Kaka said. "I wish Adrian very good luck."
Pingalore also learning from insiders Friday night that Rawlins is in a power struggle with the billionaire Brazilian owner, learning that Rawlins has showed some regrets in finding da Silva to become the principal owner.
Orlando City left the USL pro league to join MLS in 2015, with da Silva putting up the majority of the $70 million franchise fee.
Team sources went on to say it wouldn't surprise them if Rawlins decided to part ways and move on at some point.
There was no time table on this matter, but it seems like it will be sooner then later.
To make matters worse about the situation, the Orlando City PR staff told the media that Rawlins would address the firing of Heath after Friday night's game. Rawlins did not show up, only adding more speculation of the turmoil within the soccer club.
Murphy did say after the 0-0 draw, "I think if we are honest there was a little bit of cloud over the place."