MLS

The MLS Timeline

Flavio Augusto 4

Photo: Orlando City Investor/Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva juggles in front of fans in the tailgate before the international friendly vs. Fluminense FC


Yesterday, Orlando City SC announced that the club has been formally invited to make two crucial presentations in August, seeking collaborative funding from Orange County using Tourist Development Tax (TDT).


Both meetings are open to the public, with a vote on the approval of stadium funding expected to occur later in August ā€“ finalizing the financing structure for the development of a multi-purpose soccer stadium in downtown Orlando.


Here is a look at a timeline of what club officials will be working on over the next couple of weeks:


July 30/31- Orlando City SC officials, including President Phil Rawlins and Owner/Investor Flavio Augusto da Silva, attended Major League Soccerā€™s All Star Game in Kansas City- meeting with MLS officials to discuss expansion plans.


August 6- Orlando City President Phil Rawlins will meet with the Orange County Board of Commissioners on August 6th, discussing a financing structure for the development of a multi-purpose soccer stadium in downtown Orlando. The public meeting will occur at the County Administration Building on Rosalind Avenue at 9 a.m.


August 9- The second of two meetings, this time in front of the Tourist Development Council (TDC), will occur on August 9th at the same County Administration Building. Conversation will again be around the $20 million from the Tourist Development Tax (TDT)


Post August 9 Meeting- The club expects County officials to have a vote on the $20 million figure to complete a stadium financing plan. Once a vote goes through, club officials can then begin negotiations to bring Major League Soccer to Orlando by the end of the year. The team would then begin play in MLS by Spring 2015.