MLS

One Big Play

Kevin Molino

The game of soccer isnā€™t made up of one play, rather a series of events that leads to the final result. Orlandoā€™s bid toward making City an MLS franchise is no different. Tomorrowā€™s meeting with the Commissioner of Major League Soccer is one ā€œplayā€ in a much bigger game. 

It is, however, a big play. 

ā€œTomorrow is one big step,ā€ said Phil Rawlins, Owner/President of Orlando City Soccer. ā€œItā€™s certainly an event Iā€™ve been looking forward to for a long time.ā€ 

MLS Commissioner Don Garber is visiting Central Florida tomorrow, evaluating the market to see if Orlando could become a future franchise in Major League Soccer. An open forum will be held with fans at Mojo Bar and Grill starting at 12:30 p.m. 

Less than 24 hours before the MLS commissioner visits Orlando, Rawlins focused on tomorrow being an important step for the Central Florida area. 

ā€œItā€™s certainly a big step in the public domain,ā€ he said. ā€œThe meetings with Mayors (Buddy, Teresa) Dyer and Jacobs are important to bringing an MLS franchise here to Orlando.ā€ 

Rawlins wants the MLS group to fly out of Orlando thinking seriously about Cityā€™s prospects toward the major leagues. ā€œI want them to know just how ready we are as a franchise,ā€ he said. ā€œHow ready and passionate our fans are. How supportive our local businesses are. Thatā€™s what I want them to realize from this trip.ā€ 

Be sure to come out and support your local club at Mojo, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. Itā€™s an event that you as a fan donā€™t want to miss. 

ā€œOur fans are the driving force of this meeting,ā€ said Rawlins. ā€œItā€™s the only chance theyā€™ll get for a long time. Itā€™s as big for them as it is for us.ā€