New Orlando City coach Jason Kreis had a plethora of reasons for joining the club, and the club had a great number of reasons for bringing Kreis in, as well. But what stood out for Kreis above the organization, above the on-field talent, and above the potential for winning, was the community that surrounded the club.
Kreis’ first experience with Orlando City came in the opening match of 2015, which was City’s first match as a Major League Soccer club. But Kreis was on the opposing benches for that match, as the coach of New York City FC, which was also playing its first match in MLS.
“It obviously started off with the very first game of 2015,” Kreis recalled. “It was a special day for Orlando City and it was a special day for New York City as well.” As focused on the game as Kreis was that day, he made it clear he was very aware of his surroundings. “I thought it was really remarkable to notice… how important the club was in the community already. It seemed like the city was just taking huge, huge grasp of it. 62,000 fans in the stadium speaks to that as well.”
The two clubs struggled a little out of the game and fought for playoff spots down the stretch. While Orlando City finished a few points ahead, both teams missed the playoffs in their inaugural seasons in the league. For Kreis, however, the end of the season was also the end of his tenure at NYCFC, as the club relieved him of his duties. For the next few months and the beginning of the 2016 season, Kreis surveyed the league from the sidelines.
“Looking at the league from the outside in, I really kind of looked at Orlando City as a place I might be interested in, in particular because of how relevant the team is in the community.”
Behind-the-Scenes of Jason Kreis' First day - Only on Lion Nation
The club and the community often act as one. We celebrate together in victory, sulk together in defeat. In recent weeks, we’ve grieved together. And we’ve been on the road to healing together ever since. Kreis is now a member of the community, not just a spectator. Speaking of his welcome to the community, Kreis knew he’d landed in a very unique city.
“I thought at that moment, ‘this is going to be a special club and a special place.’”
Special is an understatement, Jason. Welcome.
