ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 15, 2015 – Orlando City SC today announced the Club’s highly anticipated USL team will be called Orlando City B, or OCB for short. In addition, OCB today announced it signed its first players, defenders Mikey Ambrose and Kyle Callan-McFadden, as well as midfielder Tony Rocha – all pending U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) approval.
The organization also announced today that OCB will play its home games at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) in Melbourne, Fla. EFSC boasts the premier Titan Soccer Complex on campus that is home to the school’s men’s and women’s soccer programs. The agreement between Orlando City and EFSC will allow OCB to host games in Brevard County, extending Orlando City’s brand to the east coast of Central Florida.
In addition, season tickets for 2016 go on sale today for Orlando City’s MLS Season Ticket Members. 2016 OCB Season Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Oct. 20. Fans can visit www.OrlandoCityB.com for more information. Tickets start at $10 per game during the initial season ticket sales period. The OCB Season Ticket package includes 15 home games plus the OCSC home opener in Orlando.
The EFSC stadium will seat 3,500 fans for OCB’s matches. Orlando City and EFSC will install additional seating to complement the permanent grandstand on the west side of the field. There will be seating on the west and south sides of the pitch, including a dedicated supporter section. The Club expects the environment to be as electric and exciting as has been seen for MLS matches, with a contingent of local supporters right on top of the action to cheer their club each and every game.
“The addition of Orlando City B represents another important and exciting step in the continued growth of our club,” said Orlando City Vice President of Development Tim Holt. “OCB will have an immediate impact in the advancement of our young and emerging players by offering week-in, week-out action in the highly-competitive USL, serving to accelerate their development. With our past USL accomplishments serving as one of the club’s foundations, we are particularly thrilled to be rejoining a vibrant league in the form of OCB, rekindling old rivalries and establishing new ones. Further, our partnership with EFSC for the staging of games at the Titan Soccer Complex will allow us to offer a festive event experience and intense game atmosphere for our fans in Brevard County and throughout Central Florida to enjoy.”
“Orlando City has captured the soccer world in Central Florida, drawing a half million fans to Orlando for MLS matches, and many of those fans live right here in Brevard County,” said EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey. “We are thrilled to become the home for OCB, bringing professional soccer to Brevard County while showcasing our first class facility to deliver an amazing fan experience. We have worked diligently the past few years to bring partnerships such as these to the college that help drive the local economy and foster greater awareness of our institution.”
“We are pleased to welcome back such an important club in USL history for the 2016 season,” USL President Jake Edwards said. “Having Orlando City SC back in the USL and playing in the greater Orlando area is an important step as we continue to build the league’s presence in the Southeastern United States. We are excited to see Phil Rawlins, Tim Holt and the entire Orlando City organization continue the incredible success the club has enjoyed in the USL in the past.”
“We continue to build a top organization as we march toward our return to USL in 2016,” said OCB Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “To finally have our crest and name, along with our new home for next season, checks off a number of major milestones for the team. In addition, signing our first group of players in Mikey, Kyle and Tony – three talented footballers with a very bright future – allows us start to build the framework of our roster for next year. We look forward to future updates on the team in the coming weeks and months.”
OCB Signs Defenders Ambrose, Callan-McFadden and Midfielder Tony Rocha
OCB also introduced today their first signings, defenders Mikey Ambrose and Kyle Callan-McFadden, along with midfielder Tony Rocha – all pending USSF approval.
Ambrose joins OCB from the Austin Aztex, where he played earlier this year. Prior to that, he played for the University of Maryland and is a product of the FC Dallas Development Academy. Ambrose has also represented the US Men’s National Team at the U17, U18 and U20 levels.
Callan-McFadden most recently played with Norwich City, having come up through their development system. He also brings a significant amount of international experience to the team, representing his native Ireland in the U16, U17, U19 and U21 teams.
Rocha also joins OCB from the Austin Aztex, where he played for two seasons scoring a total of seven goals. Prior to the Aztex, Rocha was a standout at the Tulsa University.
Transaction: Orlando City B Acquires Mikey Ambrose, Kyle Callan-McFadden and Tony Rocha, pending USSF approval
Name: Mikey Ambrose (MI-key AM-brose)
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birth Date: 10-05-1993
Birthplace: El Paso, Texas
Citizenship: United States of America
Twitter: @mikeyambrose3
Name: Kyle Callan-McFadden (Kile KAL-lan Mic-FAD-den)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 189 lbs.
Birth Date: 04-20-1995
Birthplace: County Donegal, Ireland
Citizenship: Republic of Ireland
Twitter: @kylemc4
Name: Tony Rocha (TO-nee ROH-cha)
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birth Date: 08-21-1993
Birthplace: Spring, Texas
Citizenship: United States of America
Twitter: @TonyRocha16
