ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2022) — Exploria Stadium will host Brazilian side CR Vasco da Gama against Argentine side Club Atlético River Plate on Jan. 17, 2023, it was announced Wednesday, with the two South American powerhouses set to play each other in an international friendly in downtown Orlando.
Tickets to the friendly between Vasco da Gama and River Plate are on sale now at the link here, with Season Ticket Members set to receive an exclusive code for discounted tickets to this match.
“We’re excited to host these two internationally recognized clubs at Exploria Stadium as they prepare for their respective upcoming seasons,” said Orlando City President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon. “This is a wonderful opportunity to give our fans some early soccer at the start of the new year as we lead into our Orlando City, Orlando Pride and OCB seasons. We look forward to a great night and a great game.”
Established in 1898, Vasco da Gama is currently enjoying a renaissance, with the team being promoted to the Brazilian top flight after a two-year absence. The “Vascão” sit among the top on the list of teams with most Brazilian Série A titles in history with four, while having racked up other numerous triumphs in its history, including having clinched a CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores title and a CONMEBOL Copa Mercosur title. Additionally, the Rio de Janeiro side has seen some of the finest Brazilian players represent the club’s colors, including 1994 FIFA World Cup winners Bebeto and Romario, and free kick maestro Juninho Pernambucano.
River Plate, based in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, was founded in 1901. Nicknamed “Los Millonarios”, River Plate has won Argentina's Primera División championship a record 37 times, its latest title in 2021. Domestic achievements also include 14 national cups, with the 2021 Trofeo de Campeones as the most recent, making River Plate the country's most successful team in domestic competitions with a total of 51 top-division titles. Los Millonarios have played in friendlies at Exploria Stadium twice before, first in 2017 facing Orlando City SC and most recently in 2018 against Independiente Medellín.
