Orlando City SC Discussion Thread

[J-Mezzy]

Our strength has to be our midfield. I would venture to say that defense is our weakness

[LittleOzzy]

Will we get our first Kaka sighting today? OCSC face FC Dallas

As preseason action rolls on, there are four games for you today, including what looks set to be Kaká’s first game in an Orlando City jersey.

Orlando City vs. FC Dallas (12 pm, Orlando, Florida)

[J-Mezzy]

Hmmm. I hope they have it on tv here I jax

[in-limbo]

A lot of these guys are under the radar for me. It seems like were pretty balanced with the middle being the strength. A weakness at striker seems to have been taken care of with the recent signings.

Of course no one can wait to see Kaka' but for me I'm looking forward to seeing Molino and Boden and the young guys we brought over from USL Pro. I know many of our other signings are quality players but I'm not personally familiar with them yet.

I don't think we have an obvious weakness but strenghths will be up the middle and in general we have some forwards who are proven scorers.

[PANDEMONEUM]

3-0 by halftime
KAKA converts a pk for goal

[LittleOzzy]

Orlando City SC launch plan to draw 65,000 fans for inaugural MLS match at Citrus Bowl

Orlando City are aiming to arrive in MLS in headline-grabbing style with an opening-day attendance of 65,000 when they kick off their inaugural season at home to fellow newcomers New York City FC on March 8 (5 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).

Under the hashtag banner #FillTheBowl, the Lions on Thursday launched an ambitious plan to sell out the newly-remodeled Citrus Bowl, which will be their temporary home in 2015 while their purpose-built soccer stadium is under construction.

And team president Phil Rawlins revealed they are already more than a third of the way to their target – even before single-game tickets go on sale this Saturday.

The league’s highest opening-day crowd was 69,255 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for the debut season opener between Los Angeles Galaxy and NY/NJ MetroStars in April 1996, but Orlando firmly believes it can come a close second to that number.

“With season ticket sales, private sales to season-ticket holders and group events, we have already gone past 23,000 in sales for the opening game," Rawlins explained, "and there’s no doubt in my mind we will fill the bowl for this big day.”

The bullish campaign was unveiled Thursday at the Citrus Bowl in front of a distinguished panel of league and city dignitaries, including city Mayor Buddy Dyer, county Mayor Teresa Jacobs, star player Kaka and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who admitted he would not be surprised if the Lions achieve their lofty aim.

“Orlando has exceeded our expectations all the way down the line already, and this is a club that is punching way above its weight," Garber said. "I think this will show fans throughout the world what the city of Orlando is capable of and support the continued rise of Soccer Nation in our country.”

OCSC has sold just more than 11,000 season tickets to date and will cap season sales at 14,000 to enable them to transfer all ticket-holders to the new 20,000-seat stadium in 2016. Regular games at the Citrus Bowl will also be capped at around 20,000, but the historic opener will be subject to a massive promotional effort.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... itrus-bowl

[J-Mezzy]

They are doing great, but I think single game tickets should he on sale now. I know of at least 6 people trying to get some but nothing. People might lose interest later on

[Dancing Raddish]

What happened to my original Orlando City soccer thread I made like 3 years ago. It has like 28 pages. Bah! #fillthebowl

[J-Mezzy]

What happened to my original Orlando City soccer thread I made like 3 years ago. It has like 28 pages. Bah! #fillthebowl

Your thread was phenomenal mate, and it covered all the developments in how the team was created. This thread is more for the actual season. Also, this thread is active on both the Magic and soccer forum so that is pretty cool.

Meant no disrespect my friend. #fillthebowl

[craig01]

Orlando City has already sold 23,000 tickets for the opener ..... Before going on sale to the general public.

[craig01]

Open practice at the citrus bowl today.

Lots open early, stadium opens at 5, practice at 6.

You'll need to print free tickets from the OCS website.

[LittleOzzy]

Open practice at the citrus bowl today.

Lots open early, stadium opens at 5, practice at 6.

You'll need to print free tickets from the OCS website.

Did you go?

[craig01]

Open practice at the citrus bowl today.

Lots open early, stadium opens at 5, practice at 6.

You'll need to print free tickets from the OCS website.

Did you go?

Yes I went.

There was probably upwards of 5k there.

I was more curious about the new Citrus Bowl, which was beautifully rebuilt. It's going to be a great venue for the Lions and fans this season.

Too bad that the artificial turf is there instead of grass, and the colors and unfinished look of outside of the citrus bowl is kind of hideous.

As for the practice itself, it was mostly a handful of drills and Coach Heath was mic'ed during part of the practice.

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OrlandoCitySC/status/564839313993912321[/tweet]

30k sold with about a month to go.

I think they will reach their target.

[in-limbo]

60 thousand seems like a tall order to me but they will get a huge crowd. I'm still expecting a batch of very cheap tickets in the next couple weeks and perhaps some large giveaways too, youth groups and such.

[rcklsscognition]

Just moved back and am excited for this as much as the Magic. Can't wait for the new stadium.

[LittleOzzy]

Orlando City SC finalizing deal for Middlesbrough American defender Seb Hines

A report in the Orlando Sentinel has Orlando City SC finalizing a deal for English-American Seb Hines. The report, citing "a source with direct knowledge of the deal," indicates that the 6-foot-2 center back, who has spent the last nine seasons with Middlesbrough in the English Premier League and Championship, could join the Lions on a six-month loan with an option to buy when his contract runs out with his current club in July.

There has been no official word from OCSC on the report.

The signing would add depth to OCSC’s central defense which already includes former Sporting Kansas City standout Aurelien Collin and Conor Donovan. Irish international Sean St Ledger has yet to sign, but is currently trialing in preseason camp. On Thursday the club waived Brazilian defender Gustavo.

Hines, who was born in England to an English mother and American father, captained the English Under-16 national team and played at the Under-17 and Under-19 ranks as well, although he has never featured for the senior national team nor has he received a call-up from the US outfit.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2 ... -seb-hines

[Optimus_Steel]

I got my tickets for the opener! I think for sure there would be at least 50K in attendance. Prob close to 60K.

[Optimus_Steel]

Also can we please update our logo for the OC team on RealGm? Its the old logo and we are way passed that now.

[LittleOzzy]

Also can we please update our logo for the OC team on RealGm? Its the old logo and we are way passed that now.

I'll request it.

I know they are busy with upgrades right now, but I'll get it on the "to do" list.