Photo: Jon Lorentz

Orlando City SC Assistant Coach/Midfielder James O’Connor has been staying busy throughout the 2013 offseason.

For O’Connor, the extended time between seasons is still a foreign concept, with the Irishman saying it is still an adjustment playing in the USL PRO from his previous experience at such storied clubs like Stoke City and Burnley.

“It is a long offseason,” O’Connor said in a phone interview with OrlandoCitySC.com. “It is something you absolutely have to get used to.”

With the extra months to rest, O’Connor has stayed sharp on both the mental and physical aspects of the game, including learning more about his new assistant coaching role from clubs in England.

“From my point of view, I’ve been watching a few games overseas. It’s a good chance to learn about different styles and approaches to the game. You obviously have to keep yourself fit as well, especially for our preseason tournament with the Disney Pro Soccer Classic.”

The USL PRO season starts in late March and ends in September, while leagues in England have a year-round schedule.

“Generally you would have the season ending the early part of May and get back into it in June. It’s a lot shorter there (in England) -more intense and more engaged. You have to take care of yourself. There’s no time to truly take time off.”

O’Connor also discussed what he sees as the future of the schedule system in the U.S., saying it will eventually emulate the European cycle that has been that way for decades.

“I think in time the system here will replicate what has happened in Europe. It only makes sense for the USL and MLS to be the same as the rest of the world.”