Orlando City Faces New York City In Home Opener

By  //  January 2, 2015

match set for march 8 at 5 p.m.

ABOVE VIDEO: A recap of an one of a kind groundbreaking ceremony that only Lion Nation can throw. Thousands of fans march from Church Street to the groundbreaking site, to watch the ceremonial dig in 24 tons of purple sand.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Orlando City Soccer Club will open its inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign against fellow expansion club and Eastern Conference rivals New York City FC (NYCFC) at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015 the League announced today.

Scheduled to kick-off at 5 p.m., the marquee match-up will feature international superstars Kaká, David Villa and Frank Lampard, who will compete in their first-ever MLS match alongside League veterans Aurélien Collin, Amobi Okugo, Donovan Ricketts, and others.

Additionally, the opening fixture between MLS’ newest teams will be in the national spotlight, airing on ESPN2.

“Our fans have been waiting for this day for years and so have we,” said Orlando City Founder and President Phil Rawlins.

“This is the first opportunity of many to show a national television audience why the City Beautiful is the ‘Soccer Capital of the South.’ Let’s fill the bowl!”

Adrian Heath
Adrian Heath

“The fact that we’re going to play our first MLS game at home in front of our fans is a great present,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.

“Obviously playing against New York City FC is going to be special as well – two expansion teams and all the hype around having Kaká, David Villa and Frank Lampard here. It’s a great first fixture and it should be a very special night for everybody.”

Orlando City will also play in Montreal Impact’s home opener on Saturday, March 28 at Olympic Stadium.

Season tickets are available at www.OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 1-855-ORL-CITY.