Orlando City is set to hit a major milestone with their match this coming Saturday against FC Dallas. The game will mark the Lions’ 100th in MLS play, a major milestone for the organization. Through the first century of games, there have been numerous memorable moments for Orlando and the team both on and off the pitch. Let us take a look back, as the Lions look forward to their upcoming milestone match.
Orlando’s first ever MLS match brought the dramatics with a stoppage-time equalizer from the club captain, Kaká, in front of a sold out Citrus Bowl of 62,510 fans. Signature wins for the club, such as the 4-0 dominance over the defending champions LA Galaxy, the 5-2 win at home over the Columbus Crew and the 5-2 win in New York over the Red Bulls all highlighted an entertaining season for the first-year team in the league.
2016 began the phrase “Orlando loves stoppage time.” The home opener, once again in front of a sold-out crowd, saw the Lions come back from a 2-0 deficit to score two goals in a matter of seconds to draw the game in stoppage time. The team scored a number of those exciting stoppage time goals throughout their second season, often marking come from behind results. Some of the marquee wins that season included the 4-1 victory over the then champion Portland Timbers, the 3-2 win at home over Toronto FC with Kaká scoring a 100th minute penalty, the 4-1 win in Montreal over the Impact and the final game ever at Camping World Stadium, a 4-2 win for Orlando over D.C. United.
All throughout the 2016 season, the new Orlando City Stadium was being built just blocks from the Lions’ old home, and in March of 2017, it officially opened for Orlando’s 2017 home opener against New York City FC, which Orlando won 1-0 in front of 25,527 supporters. Through this current season, the Lions had some massive early season wins over the New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy and New York City FC. In the team’s 99th game in MLS, they broke the club record for most goals in a game after beating the New England Revolution 6-1.
All throughout the three years of MLS play, what has happened off the field has been just as important as on it. The record attendance numbers for the first two seasons at Camping World Stadium, the first safe standing section in an MLS stadium, the recognition for the club across the world. It has all played an integral part into what forms the Orlando City we know today.
So, with the club set to hit the century mark in MLS play, here’s hoping for many more games and years for the club in the future.
