Orlando City Announces New Stadium Funding
On Friday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City majority owner Flavio Augusto da Silva announced the Club’s plan to fully finance its new downtown stadium. The Club also announced it would expand the stadium’s capacity to between 25-28,000, due to the fantastic local appetite for Lions’ soccer. Orlando City has drawn an average of 37,400 fans every home game, good for second in MLS. The new stadium will be completed in the summer of 2016.
Read: Orlando City Privately Funds Stadium Construction, Increases Capacity and Adds Enhanced Amenities
Orlando City Learns U.S. Open Cup Matchup
On June 17, Orlando City will face the Charleston Battery in Blackbaud Stadium in the fourth round of the 2015 Lamar U.S. Open Cup. Charleston advanced past the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers after two late goals stole the 3-2 victory. Adrian Heath intends to take the match seriously, unlike some past MLS clubs. “We've got to get into that (the Champions League) and that's why the Open Cup this year will be incredibly important to us,” said Heath.
Read: Orlando City Will Play to Win in the U.S. Open Cup
Conor Donovan Named to U.S. U-20 World Cup Roster
After initially being named as an alternate, Orlando City defender Conor Donovan was promoted to the 21-man roster following an injury to midfielder Russell Canouse. “Conor has been working hard with us, he’s adapted and he has been with the team for a while. So we were ready with a replacement and we’re excited to have Conor on board, who also brings a lot on the field and off the field,” said coach Tab Ramos. Orlando City selected Donovan in the second round of this year’s MLS SuperDraft.
Read: Orlando City’s Conor Donovan added to U.S. U-20 World Cup roster
Pedro Ribeiro’s 89th Minute Heroics Salvage a Point
Orlando City found themselves down a goal despite a man-advantage on Saturday night against Columbus. In the 72nd minute, Adrian Heath brought on Pedro Ribeiro for Cyle Larin and with just a minute remaining in regulation, Ribeiro put his left foot through the ball and sent it into the back of the net to tie the game at two. The tie improves Orlando City to 3-5-5 for 14 points, tied with the Chicago Fire for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Orlando City will pay a visit to Chicago next week.
Read: Orlando City SC Draws Columbus Crew SC 2-2 in Thrilling Contest
