Orlando City SC
Orlando City Soccer Club is a professional soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference.
History
Orlando City's Founding and USL Domination
Orlando City was founded in 2010 by Stoke City FC board member, Phil Rawlins. At the end of the 2010 USL season, Rawlins bought the USL franchise rights of Orlando Pro Soccer, and subsequently moved the Austin Aztex FC roster and manager to the city of Orlando, which was announced in a 2010 October press conference. Rawlins stated at the press conference that he intends to bring a MLS franchise to Orlando "within 3-5 years." A few months later, on February 28, 2011, Orlando City publicly announced that they met with MLS commissioner, Don Garber, about expansion. Topics in this discussion with Garber included Orlando population demographics and fan and local business support. In this meeting, they developed a roadmap for a future MLS franchise in Orlando.
While these discussions were taking place with MLS, Orlando City dominated the USL. In their first season, the Lions won the USL Commissioner's Cup (supporter shield equivalent) and the USL Pro Championship 3-2 in penalties against the Harrisburg City Islanders. In the following 2012 season, Orlando City repeated as a regular season champions, but lost to the Wilmington Hammerheads in the playoffs. Then in 2013, the Orlando City Lions finished 2nd in the regular season before winning the USL Pro Championship 7-4 against the Charlotte Eagles. This was Orlando City's 2nd championship in 3 years, and their 4th trophy in 3 seasons in the USL.
On November 19, 2013, Orlando City was announced as Major League Soccer's 21st franchise. Their logo was revealed in May 2014, and a month later, the Lions announced their first signing, a Brazilian superstar and World Cup winner named Ricardo Kaká. The Brazilian signed on a free transfer after his release from AC Milan, and Kaká was immediately loaned to São Paulo until the start of the 2015 MLS season.
The 2014 USL season was Orlando City's last appearance in U.S. Soccer's 2nd division. The Lions finished the 2014 USL season with a 19-5-4 record and won their 3rd USL Commissioner's Cup. Orlando City SC won 5 trophies in only 4 seasons in the USL before leaving for MLS in 2015.
Key Moments
- 2015: Inaugural MLS Season
- 2017: Opening of Orlando City Stadium
- 2022: Won the U.S. Open Cup
- 2024: Reached the Eastern Conference Final
- 2025–2026: Continued competitive presence in the Eastern Conference
Stadium
Inter&Co Stadium (formerly Exploria Stadium and Orlando City Stadium) is a 24,453 seat capacity soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando. It opened in 2017 and is known for its intimate atmosphere and strong home support. Orlando City Stadium was the first stadium in MLS to have a safe-standing supporter section nicknamed "The Wall."
Typical attendance ranges from 18,000–25,000 depending on opponent and season.
Orlando City Stadium was 100% privately funded, and modeled after Stoke City's stadium in England.
Notable Players
- Kaká (2017–2020)
- Antoine Griezmann
- Luis Nani
- Alex Freeman
- Facundo Torres
- Martín Ojeda
- Pedro Gallese