Orlando City
Orlando City Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in Orlando, Florida, competing in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 2010, the club plays its home games at Inter&Co Stadium in downtown Orlando. Owned by Zygi, Leonard, and Mark Wilf since 2021, Orlando City has achieved significant success including winning the U.S. Open Cup in 2022 and qualifying twice for the Concacaf Champions Cup. The team began as a charter member of the USL Pro, winning three Commissioner's Cups and two league championships before joining MLS in 2015.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Orlando City Soccer Club was originally founded in 2010 as a United Soccer League (USL) club by Phil Rawlins, a board member of Stoke City F.C. Following the conclusion of the 2010 season, Rawlins purchased the USL franchise rights of Orlando Pro Soccer and moved Austin Aztex FC to Orlando, rebranding it as Orlando City SC. The club is owned and operated by the Wilf family and serves as the sister club of the National Women's Soccer League's Orlando Pride and MLS Next Pro's Orlando City B.
Most recent season and achievements
In the 2024 season, Orlando City finished in 4th place in the Eastern Conference with 59 goals scored in the regular season, setting a club record. The team advanced the furthest they ever had in the playoffs but were eliminated in the Eastern Conference final by the New York Red Bulls. On December 20, Orlando transferred Facundo Torres to Brazilian club Palmeiras for a new club record fee of reportedly up to $14 million.
History
Early years
Orlando City's journey began when Phil Rawlins bought the USL franchise rights of Orlando Pro Soccer in October 2010, moving the Austin Aztex FC organization to Orlando. The club's first preseason featured a victory against Philadelphia Union, with Lewis Neal scoring the first goal in club history. Orlando City opened their inaugural 2011 season on April 2 against Richmond Kickers, losing 0–2, but won their first home game 3–0 against F.C. New York with Maxwell Griffin scoring the first competitive goal. They finished top of the American Division and won the 2011 USL Pro championship, defeating Harrisburg City Islanders 3–2 in penalty kicks after a 2–2 draw.
Successful period
Orlando City dominated their early USL Pro years, winning three Commissioner's Cups and two league championships in their first four seasons. In 2012, they repeated as regular season champions, and in 2013, they claimed their second championship in three years with a 7–4 victory over the Charlotte Eagles in the finals. On November 19, 2013, led by Flavio Augusto da Silva, Orlando City was announced as MLS's twenty-first franchise. The team's new logo was unveiled in May 2014, and they signed their first MLS player, former Brazil international Kaká, who became their first Designated Player after his release from AC Milan.
Crisis and recovery
Orlando City's early MLS years were marked by struggles. After joining MLS in 2015, the team failed to make the playoffs for five consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2019. Head coach Adrian Heath was fired midway through the 2016 season and replaced by Jason Kreis. Despite acquiring striker Dom Dwyer for a record $1.6 million in 2017, the team continued to struggle. Jason Kreis was released after 15 games in 2018, replaced by James O'Connor, who managed only two wins in 18 games. The 2018 season saw Orlando set a new MLS record with 74 goals conceded.
Current period
The turning point came in 2020 when Orlando hired Óscar Pareja as head coach. The team reached the final of the MLS is Back Tournament and finally broke their playoff drought, reaching the conference semi-finals. In 2021, the Wilf family purchased the club for an estimated $400–450 million. Orlando won their first MLS trophy in 2022, defeating Sacramento Republic 3–0 in the U.S. Open Cup final. The team has since qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup twice and continues to compete at the highest level of American soccer.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Orlando City has achieved significant success in domestic competitions. In their USL Pro era, they won three Commissioner's Cups (2011, 2012, 2014) and two league championships (2011, 2013). Since joining MLS, their most notable achievement came in 2022 when they won the U.S. Open Cup, defeating Sacramento Republic 3–0 in the final for their first trophy as an MLS team.
Continental and global competitions
Orlando City has participated in continental competitions twice, qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League/Cup due to their U.S. Open Cup victory and high league standings. In 2023, they debuted in the CONCACAF Champions League, where they were eliminated by Tigres UANL on the away goals rule after a 1–1 aggregate draw. In 2024, they advanced past the first round for the first time, defeating Cavalry FC 6–1 on aggregate before being eliminated by Tigres UANL again, 4–2 on aggregate.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
Orlando City's first logo was unveiled on December 16, 2010, featuring three lions in "Regal Red", "Pride Purple", and "Championship Gold". The design connected to the defunct Orlando Lions team (1985-1996) and symbolized defense, midfield, and attack. For their MLS ascension, the Lions unveiled a new logo consisting of a gold lion face with 21 sun flares making up its mane within a purple shield. The 21 flares represent the club's position as MLS's twenty-first team, while the sun-shaped mane references Florida's nickname as The Sunshine State.
Traditional home and away kits colors
Orlando City's traditional colors are "Regal Red", "Pride Purple", and "Championship Gold". Their original home uniform featured a white shirt with red shoulders and solid white shorts, while the away outfit consisted of a red shirt with white armpits and solid red shorts. The purple represents the pride of the city, fans, and club, red symbolizes passion and willingness to compete, and gold represents the trophies the club strives for.
Traditional club anthem
The source material does not contain information about a traditional club anthem.
Traditional Rivals
Inter Miami
Orlando City has an intrastate rivalry with Inter Miami, currently their closest neighbors and only other Florida-based team in MLS. Orlando had to wait until their sixth season to play their first interstate match against an MLS opponent following Inter Miami's introduction as an expansion franchise in 2020. Unlike many MLS rivalries, there is no official name for this series.
Atlanta United
Prior to Inter Miami's creation, Orlando City established a geographical rivalry with Atlanta United as the only two MLS clubs in the southeastern United States when Atlanta joined MLS in 2017. The series has featured several fan incidents as well as player and front office animosity, with both teams banning each other's supporters groups.
New York City FC
New York City FC was considered an immediate rivalry by virtue of being fellow 2015 expansion franchises. The two teams made their MLS debut against each other, with Orlando rescuing a dramatic 1–1 draw in stoppage time. Tensions peaked during their 2020 MLS Cup playoffs meeting, which re-established Orlando's status as a rival in New York City fans' eyes.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Orlando Health has been the official shirt sponsor since the team's inception as a USL franchise in 2010, becoming the first jersey partner in MLS history to commit to an expansion club prior to its admittance to the league. Adidas serves as the club's kit provider as per the league-wide MLS deal. In 2019, Exploria Resorts secured naming rights to the stadium, and in 2024, Inter&Co took over the naming rights.
Nicknames
The club adopted the nickname "Lions" from previous uses in Orlando, particularly connecting to the Orlando Lions team that existed from 1985 to 1996. The team is also referred to as "The Lions" by supporters and media.
Ownership and finances
The club was originally founded by Phil Rawlins in 2010, with Flavio Augusto da Silva becoming majority owner in 2013. On July 21, 2021, Zygi and Mark Wilf, owners of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, completed the purchase of Orlando City for an estimated $400–450 million, including Orlando Pride, the stadium, and other soccer assets.
Traditions and culture
Orlando City's mascot is Kingston, an anthropomorphized lion with brown and purple dreadlocks, purple war paint, and a headband with team initials. The club has two major supporters groups: The Ruckus (occupying section 120) and The Iron Lion Firm (section 121), which combine forces to create "The Wall" in the safe standing section. The club sold over 13,000 season tickets before playing their first MLS match and maintains a season ticket cap of 18,000.
Stadium
Orlando City plays at Inter&Co Stadium (formerly Exploria Stadium), a 25,550-capacity soccer-specific venue in downtown Orlando. The stadium opened in 2017 with Cyle Larin scoring the first goal in a 1–0 victory over New York City FC. The $84 million facility is owned and operated by the club and became the first venue to host MLS, NWSL, and USL teams at the same location. Before moving to their current home, Orlando City played at the 70,000-seat Camping World Stadium (formerly Florida Citrus Bowl) and briefly at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex during stadium renovations.