When Orlando City Soccer Club, the Central Florida Sports Commission and the City of Orlando began to put together their pitch to become a host city for the Copa America Centenario USA 2016 tournament - they didn't think small.
Instead of shipping a flash drive and a folder of corresponding documents, they combined to create these beautifully etched aluminum casings to hold an the equally amazing aluminum bound bid inside.
That wasn't the end of it, though. Rather than drop these peices of art off at the post office, two of Orlando City's standout academy players were asked to hand deliver the bid to the US Soccer Federation's offices in Chicago. Gorka Aperribay (U-18 Academy) has commited to play at UCF and Natalie Fouque (U-18 ENCL) who commited to play at Villanova represented the city and the club with pride as they carried the bids throughout Chicago before submitting them at the end of the day.
Check out our social timeline of our trip to Chicago below.
The Orlando Copa América 2016 bid has arrived at MCO. Escorted straight onto a flight to Chicago. #ORLCopa2016 #FlyMCO
Posted by Orlando City Soccer Club on Monday, March 30, 2015
Our motto is #DefyExpectations, so why not take Orlando's #ORLCopa2016 bid to the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere before dropping it off at the US Soccer HQ in Chicago?
Posted by Orlando City Soccer Club on Monday, March 30, 2015
Started at Lake Eola in Orlando and ended at the US Soccer Federation offices in Chicago! Orlando's bid to be a host...
Posted by Orlando City Soccer Club on Monday, March 30, 2015
Shortly after dropping off the bids, we jumped on a plane and headed back to Orlando. It was great to see so many people throughout the city comment on the bids or ask about Orlando City, and most of all it was amazing to see Gorka and Natalie reperesent our city and club with such excitement and class.
If you'd like to see Copa America in Orlando, tweet using #ORLCopa2016 and tell us why.
