Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium
As the MLS grew in 2010, Orlando was granted one of the league's expansion teams. The city set about building a brand-new soccer-specific stadium for the incoming team, Orlando City SC, which began play in 2015. Settle in for a night of rowdy soccer action, and cheer along with the Ruckus Orlando, the club's supporter section.
Orlando City SC History
Upon coming into the league in time for the 2015 season, Orlando City knew it needed to make a big splash, and it went out and did just that. Coming over for the inaugural season from AC Milan, Kaka was the first big signing of the Orlando era. The former Ballon d'Or winner was in the waning years of his career, but his talent and name recognition helped Orlando make its first season one to remember for its new fans.
As it turned out, Kaka wasn't really the star of the team's first year. That honor went to Canadian rookie Cyle Larin, who scored 17 goals in his debut campaign, a new record for MLS rookies. Larin won Rookie of the Year honors for the campaign, which saw Orlando barely miss the playoffs by just one point in the stacked Eastern Conference.
Making the playoffs for the first time in 2020, Orlando City SC has built a strong fan base in the Florida city, one that shows up each and every game for its Lions. Taking over in 2019 as head coach, Oscar Pareja continues to look to make team history and reserve a spot for itself in the MLS Cup Playoffs and possibly make a deep run for the title.
