The new year is quickly approaching and there is plenty going on in the world of soccer, including important dates for Orlando City SC and the rest of MLS.
Important Dates/Events
The Expansion Draft for incoming club LAFC is set to take place on Dec. 12, the Waiver Draft takes place the very next day. For a full list of each draft that takes place during the offseason and a description of each, click here.
Orlando City has yet to release its preseason schedule, but keep an eye out because you’ll probably want to catch a preseason game leading up to the 2018 MLS season. A few MLS clubs have released scheduled preseason friendlies, click here to view them. Notably, LAFC has confirmed it will play a friendly against Sacramento Republic in February. This was the incoming expansion club’s first ever match announcement.
The four expansion finalists made their final presentations in front of MLS Commissioner Dan Garber and the Expansion Committee on Dec. 6 in New York City. The two expansion clubs are expected to be announced before the new year. Cincinnati, Nashville, Sacramento and Detroit are in the running to become MLS’ 24th and 25th franchises.
A MLS Champion will be crowned Saturday, Dec. 9 at BMO Field as the East champion Toronto FC takes on the defending Cup holders Seattle Sounders FC.
Orlando City Training Camp
Training camp begins late January for Orlando City SC and Head Coach Jason Kreis, who will be a busy man during the packed offseason.
Kreis: “The interesting part about being a head coach in Major League Soccer is that you’re a head coach for eight months, and then for the other four months you’re a scout. Looking for new players and new additions and ways to improve the team. It’s just part of the business here, and it can be very difficult, for sure. But we’ve got a job in front of us, and we didn’t sign up for easy. So we’re ready to continue to work and we’ll get a little break at Christmas time.”
Holiday Gift Guide
Check out some cool gift ideas for the soccer fans in your life. Also be sure to visit orlandocitysc.com/shop to get some more purple in your wardrobe.
