This Wednesday, February 19th, at 6pm marks the beginning of the Orlando City Soccer season here in Orlando. This begins their final season in the USL Pro, the minor leagues in the soccer world, before they embark onto Major League Soccer next year in their brand new stadium being built in downtown Orlando.
If you’ve never been to an Orlando City Soccer match, I can say first hand it really is a fun experience. The game day experience is big leagues, the crowds are intense, and the team is actually……good. Orlando City are the defending champions and also were winners in 2011, so they aren’t just a flash in the pan. You’ll hear banging drums and chanting hooligan fans throughout the match in what really feels like a European-esque style atmosphere.
If you have been to an Orlando City Soccer match, there are a few changes to this year’s team. They moved their home games to the Wide Word of Sports complex at Walt Disney World because their previous home, the Citrus Bowl, is under some major renovations. This is all temporary for this season because they will have a brand new stadium next year. Disney is offering FREE parking which is a major plus AND you’ll still be allowed to tailgate. However, tickets will be very limited this year because the temporary stadium will only seat roughly five thousand fans. So get your tickets, and get them early and be prepared to do some screaming because once you’re there you won’t be able to control yourself.