Major League Soccer continues to expand, and not too long ago they awarded an expansion franchise to the city of Orlando. Nicknamed the Lions, Orlando City SC played its inaugural season in 2015. MLS franchises in Miami and Tampa Bay have failed in the past, but Orlando appears to be different, and pro soccer in the state of Florida finally seems to have found its stride.

Start with a Bang

If there was any doubt about whether soccer would work out in Orlando, it was answered when Orlando City SC played its first-ever game. The team nearly filled the Citrus Bowl to capacity with over 62,000 fans when they made their official debut against fellow expansion team NYCFC in March of 2015. The Lions also had a sell-out crowd of over 60,000 fans at the Citrus Bowl for their season-opener in 2016. In the two seasons that the club played at the Citrus Bowl, Orlando City averaged over 30,000 fans, a total that is beyond the capacity of their current home, Exploria Stadium.

I Know That Guy

During their brief history, Orlando City SC has always been able to lure big-name players to the club. Orlando’s first true star was Brazilian legend Kaka, who signed with Orlando long before the franchise had played its first game and has remained the face of the franchise ever since. The Lions have also been the club of U.S. National Team players like Brek Shea, Sacha Kljestan, and Dom Dwyer, as well as Portuguese international legend Nani, who's made over 100 international appearances and scored over 20 goals for Portugal.