For the first time since entering MLS in 2015, someone other than Ricardo Kaka will wear the captain's armband for Orlando City SC. On Wednesday (Feb. 28), it was announced that 32-year-old and former United States national team defender Jonathan Spector will lead a revamped Lions' squad into their fourth season of play as team captain.

With all intentions of Orlando City making its first-ever MLS playoffs appearance, Spector will be an extension of manager Jason Kreis, as the pair look to make the most out of the 13 new players set to take the pitch for the Lions.

Spector, the former Manchester United product, was the logical choice for the captaincy that became available following Kaka's retirement following the 2017 season. All-in-all, "Specs," as teammates lovingly refer to him, has 101 English Premier League appearances, 153 in the Championship -- and has played in both the Europa League and UEFA Champions League.

It's hard to find many players inside MLS with Spector's sort of resume

The level-headed Spector knows that with the captain's band comes a world of responsibility -- a job he won't have to take on alone, per Orlando City's Twitter page.

"The great part of about this team is that there are a lot of natural leaders within the group," said Spector.

"We all kind of lead in different ways and I certainly expect that throughout the season."

From playing in England's top tiers of football for well over a decade to achieving 36 caps for the USMNT, Spector has been a rock at the back for Orlando City since being acquired from Birmingham City before the 2017 campaign. In 25 MLS contests, Spector played a total of 2176 minutes, scoring one goal in six attempts.

With the departures of center backs Tommy Redding to New York Red Bulls and Jose Aja to Vancouver, Spector will have a new partner in the form of 30-year-old Senegal international, Lamine Sane.

Spector and Sane

Sane comes over from Germany's Bundesliga side, Werder Bremen. The 6-foot-3 defender has his own UEFA Champions League experience, having made a name for himself over the course of seven seasons at Ligue 1 Bordeaux, in France.

The pair of Spector and Sane should form a solid partnership in front of veteran goalkeeper Joe Bednik, as Bendik led all of MLS in saves in 2017 with 118.

Though Bendik tallied seven clean sheets in total last season, it was clear to see a defense that allowed 173 shots against was in need of serious reinforcements. Specialists Amro Tarek, on loan from Egypt's Wadi Degla, and Libyan international Mohamed El-Munir, were also brought in to fortify Orlando City's back line.
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