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.

Rivalries

Inter Miami CF

Orlando City's meetings with fellow Florida club Inter Miami CF are known as the Florida Derby. The clubs first met at the MLS is Back Tournament in 2020, when a stoppage-time goal from Nani gave Orlando a 2–1 victory. The in-state matchup has since become one of the most prominent fixtures on both clubs' schedules.

Atlanta United FC

The Lions also have a regional rivalry with Atlanta United FC. The series began when Atlanta entered MLS in 2017 and quickly developed an intense atmosphere between two of the league's best-supported southeastern clubs. Atlanta controlled the early meetings, while Orlando became more competitive in the series during the 2020s.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Before joining MLS, Orlando City contested the I-4 Derby with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Named for Interstate 4, which connects Orlando and Tampa Bay, the derby began as a two-leg preseason series in 2013. Orlando won the inaugural I-4 Derby 6–4 on aggregate, with more than 400 traveling Lions supporters attending the second leg.

Supporters

Orlando City's supporters occupy The Wall, the safe-standing section at the north end of Inter&Co Stadium. Its steep design, capo stands, drum platform, flags, smoke, and coordinated displays create the focal point of the stadium's matchday atmosphere.

The Wall is also the name of the supporters trust that coordinates the club's recognized supporter groups. Its members organize chants, marches, tifos, and other displays for Orlando City and the Orlando Pride.

• The Ruckus — One of the club's two founding supporter groups.
• Iron Lion Firm — A founding group known for its active matchday support.
• Black Swans Drinking Club — A recognized supporter group represented in The Wall.

Learn more from the club's official Wall Supporters Trust page.

Roster

For notable players from every era of the club, see the Orlando City SC All-Time Roster.

2026 Active Roster

Roster information is current as of July 2026. See the official Orlando City roster for the latest transactions and player profiles.

Honors

Major League Soccer Era

The 2022 U.S. Open Cup was Orlando City's first major trophy of the MLS era. The Lions won all six matches in their cup run and defeated Sacramento Republic FC in the final at home.

USL Pro Era

Orlando City won five trophies across four USL seasons before joining MLS in 2015.

Notable Players

• Kaká (2017–2020)
• Antoine Griezmann
• Luis Nani
• Alex Freeman
• Facundo Torres
• Martín Ojeda
• Pedro Gallese

External Links

• Official Website
• Wikipedia

Related Pages

• Orlando City SC All-Time Roster — Players who shaped the club across its USL and MLS eras.
• Florida Derby — Orlando City's in-state rivalry with Inter Miami CF.
• Orlando City vs. Atlanta United Rivalry — The Lions' regional series with the Five Stripes.
• I-4 Derby — The historic Central Florida rivalry with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.