Exploria Stadium always has of the loudest and rowdiest atmospheres in Major League Soccer, but there’s something particularly special about Opening Day in Central Florida. Orlando City have opened their league campaigns at home every season they’ve been in the league, and are set to do so again in 2020 on February 29 against Real Salt Lake at 6 pm. The Wall has already sold out for the game more than a week in advance.
The Lions have gone five seasons of home openers without ever incurring a loss, often avoiding the jaws of defeat in spectacularly dramatic fashion. We have ranked each of Orlando City’s five Opening Day games from least to most heart-stopping, though “least” here is very relative.
No. 5: 2017 vs. New York City FC
It might seem bizarre to rank the one victory among Orlando City’s home openers in the No. 5 position, but hear us out. Orlando’s 1-0 win over rival NYCFC had no goals in the second half and, despite some close calls from the New York side down the stretch, saw out the three points without a ton of late drama.
The Lions instead came early with the dramatics, as captain Kaká had to leave the game in the 11th minute with a hamstring injury, only to see replacement Giles Barnes assist Cyle Larin’s winner just four minutes into his Orlando debut. The game also had the distinction of being Orlando City’s first-ever game in Exploria Stadium, kicking off a run of five straight victories to open the new fortress.
No. 4: 2018 vs. DC United
This is sort of the forgotten game among the bunch, but it holds a soft spot for us. City came into the game with many of their major offseason additions unavailable due to injury or fitness problems. The game itself started with a double gut punch, as DC winger Yamil Asad scored in the 32nd minute and Orlando City left back PC was sent off soon after, lowering the Lions to 10 men for the entire second half.
Orlando went on to deliver one of their gutsiest performances in club history, dominating the game despite DC’s man advantage. All of their hard work paid off in the night’s waning moments, as debutant Stéfano Pinho slotted home the equalizer in the 93rd minute, sending a packed Exploria Stadium into an ecstatic frenzy.
