A sigh of relief.
That was what many Orlando City SC supporters described as their immediate reaction upon hearing the news that the club is now one-step closer to bringing a Major League Soccer team to the City Beautiful.
Last Friday afternoon, around 100 City fans flooded the county administration building, creating a sea of purple to witness the Tourist Development Council (TDC) agree to a deal that inches the club closer toward acquiring funding for a downtown multi-purpose stadium.
The TDC’s approval saw jubilation and smiles across each of the fans’ faces, and the idea that MLS in Orlando is now closer to being a reality than a dream brought hope and excitement to the numerous supporters in attendance.
“I was ecstatic when I heard the news,” said Iron Lion Firm (ILF) leader Jared Ambrose. “To be one-step closer, after three plus years of waiting for MLS, feels like a weight off your shoulders and gives us even more of a reason to push forward and get behind this club.”
That excitement stemming from the successful meeting at the county building carried over into the club’s match on Sunday evening, when the Lions’ hosted the visiting Seattle Sounders FC Reserve side.
A regular season record of 10,697 fans ventured to the Florida Citrus Bowl to get behind the squad. Within that record setting number were new and old faces who all expressed their belief that MLS belongs in Orlando during the routine tailgate festivities.
April Carns, who is a resident in the Clermont area, has been a supporter of the team since day one and believes that MLS would do very well in an area with such a diverse demographic.
“I think we’d be one of the top three teams, along with the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls,” stated Carns. “We have a very diverse population that I think would want to come and see the big stars that we could get here on a weekly basis.”
Many other fans also shared Carns’ view that MLS would thrive in Orlando due to the diversity, but also believed that adding another venue would certainly enhance the downtown area into becoming a very lively community.
“Having an MLS team with a stadium not too far from the Amway Arena and the Citrus Bowl will make downtown extremely lively and we couldn’t be more excited about that possibility,” exclaimed members from the 407 supporter group.
The enthusiasm displayed by the 407 was evident in all of the other supporter groups throughout the tailgate party, which led to one of the most incredible City match experiences ever.
Each firm came together and conducted their routine march into the stadium, singing songs in coordination with their waving flags and banging drums. Their loud entrance could be heard easily from a distance and the record-setting crowd was vibrant from the beginning of the match until the final whistle, propelling the team to a resounding 2-0 victory over the MLS side.
“The fans on Sunday were on a different level, “said Defender Rob Valentino. “When I think that they can’t possibly get any louder, they prove me wrong. We definitely fed off their energy, and as players we are very fortunate to be able to play in front of such great supporters.”
However despite the excitement surrounding the organization, a few more steps are needed before the club can officially announce that MLS is coming to Orlando. Moving forward, both the County and City Board of Commissioners need to approve the motion passed by the TDC on Friday.
The Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings on the stadium proposal to allow fans and supporters to speak about their support of the project. It’s certainly an encouraging time in the club’s short history, LionNation, and now is the moment to show your support more than ever.
When asked about what MLS would bring to the City of Orlando, Ambrose and the ILF added “It’s going to be a party!”
