The Orlando Magic will be clearing out of town for much of March. So the city’s sports attention turns to Orlando City as they start their second MLS season.
March is a big month for the Orlando Magic.
The Magic are still in the Playoff conversation, but somewhat on the periphery sitting four games out entering Monday’s games and this critical final full month of games. They will play the majority of their games in the next 30 days on the road, heading out West next week after this week’s batch of games.
It will be a busy month for the Magic with a lot on the line as these players play meaningful games this late in the season for largely the first time in their collective careers. There has been a lot of talk about finishing and playing defense and the Magic will have to do all of that to get to the next level.
Whether they do or not will happen throughout the month of March and into April or whenever the Magic get eliminated from Playoff contention. Orlando will be looking to delay that as long as possible.
With the Magic heading out of town for much of March, the focus of the sports world in Orlando will turn down the street for the much-anticipated second season for Orlando City Soccer Club.
The Lions did not deliver on the Playoff expectations for their expansion season, but still created a new buzz and excitement throughout the city.
Orlando City set the record for largest average attendance for a MLS expansion franchise. And they are getting set for an encore.
Already the team has sold more than 48,000 tickets for Sunday’s opener against Real Salt Lake at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The Magic and the Lions will have to share some of the stage for the rest of the season (although there are not many overlaps between the two teams).
Expectations for this team are very real. They believe they can make the MLS Playoffs and they have the depth to do so.
The question is, like with the Magic, will they?
On this episode of the Orlando Magic Daily Podcast, we chatted with Gavin Ewbank of The Mane Land to preview the upcoming season and discuss the team’s place in the Orlando sports marketplace.
On This Episode
- Why did Orlando City part with fan-favorite Tally Hall and make some of the changes they made this summer?
- How important will depth be for this team with international call ups and the grueling MLS schedule?
- Does Orlando City have the talent to make the Playoffs? What is it about parity in the MLS?
- What happened with the Antonio Nocerino signing and what impact can he bring?
- Can fan interest and energy around the team continue?
- Where does Orlando City fit into the Orlando sports market? How do they compete or complement the Orlando Magic?
- What has made Orlando attractive to sporting events?
- An update on the Orlando Magic as they get ready to head out West
- How do the Orlando Magic learn to close games?
Many thanks to Gavin for hopping on the podcast and giving us a look at the upcoming season for Orlando City. Be sure to follow Gavin on Twitter @gavinewbank and The Mane Land on Twitter @themaneland.
Next: Mario Hezonja excels in first career start
We look forward to the upcoming Orlando City and MLS season and the rest of the Magic season to come.