ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club announced today the loan of Forward Max Griffin to the Los Angeles Blues in exchange for the loan of Forward George Davis IV to the club.  Both loans will last through the end of the 2012 USL PRO season.

Griffin was Orlando City’s leading scorer during the 2011 USL PRO Championship-winning campaign, but has struggled this season due to injuries.  His playing time has been limited as a result, with Griffin playing just 365 minutes over eight games this season.  He has scored just one goal and registered one assist for the Lions.  Griffin will see more playing time in his hometown of Los Angeles.  The Blues are expecting Griffin to replace the recently departed Bright Dike.  Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers recalled Dike this week, ending his time with the Blues.  Dike had been the team’s leading scorer with six goals this season.

In exchange, the Blues have sent George Davis IV to Orlando.  Davis was a stand-out rookie in USL PRO last season, scoring seven goals for the Dayton Dutch Lions.  The Lima, Ohio, native was a lone bright spot for the struggling Dayton side, resulting in the forward attracting attention from around the league.  Davis was on Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath’s watch list during the offseason as a potential transfer target before Matt Luzunaris became available.

Like Griffin, Davis has seen his playing time limited this season.  Originally signed to be a featured player with the LA Blues, he saw his role diminished when Dike was brought in on loan from the Timbers.  Davis has been used largely as late-game sub, playing just 696 minutes over 12 games.  He has just one assist on his register this season. 

Davis hopes the change in scenery will result in a return to his 2011 form.  With the Lions facing a stretch of several matches packed in the next two weeks, Heath will use the depth Davis added to the line-up to avoid tiring out league scoring leader Dennis Chin and fellow forward Matt Luzunaris.

Davis will be available for selection on Saturday when the Lions face the USL PRO’s second place side Rochester Rhinos at 7:30 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl.  His first training session with the Lions will be on Friday at 9 a.m. at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla.

For tickets to Saturday’s match against Rochester, call 855-ORL-CITY or visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com for more information.

Transaction:
Orlando City (USL PRO) loans Forward Max Griffin to Los Angeles Blues

Max Griffin #11
Position:  Forward
Height:    6’0”
Born:      9/17/1987
Hometown:  Riverside, Ca.
College:   UCLA
Last Club: Austin Aztex
 
Transaction:
Orlando City (USL PRO) loans Forward George Davis IV from Los Angles Blues

George Davis IV
Position:  Forward
Height:    5’8”
Born:      8/5/1987
Hometown:  Lima, Ohio
College:   Kentucky/Bowling Green
Last Club: Los Angeles Blues