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Orlando Magic Daily Podcast Episode 65: Orlando City comes home

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Oct 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Kaka (10) and D.C. United defender Sean Franklin (5) chase down the ball in the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando City SC midfielder Kaka (10) and D.C. United defender Sean Franklin (5) chase down the ball in the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Orlando City kicks off its third season in MLS and opens up its new stadium this weekend. But the Lions face some big questions as they seek a Playoff berth.

The Orlando sports scene has grown dramatically in the last five years.

The Orlando Magic moved into the Amway Center for the 2011 season and are now playing their fifth season in their new building.

While the Magic have not had the most success since moving, it was a big victory for the team. The Amway Center is still rated as one of the best NBA arenas and the Magic have a true home (if not a home-court advantage).

The events package — that included the Amway Center, renovations to Camping World Stadium (nee Citrus Bowl) and the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center — has helped transform downtown Orlando into an entertainment hub.

When that was put together, the city could not foresee the growth that was about to come for the team’s sports options. When Orlando City began playing in the summer of 2011, it was a flickering of an idea that quickly turned into a movement.

This year, the Lions, graduated to MLS for their third season, will begin play in a new downtown stadium just a few blocks west of the Amway Center. It will perfectly integrate into downtown’s entertainment district and arena core.

https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/837094343961894912

As Magic fans can surely note, getting a brand-new stadium is an exciting and proud moment for a franchise (funding issues aside, which is a political issue that merits plenty of debate).

But it also demands delivery. And here is where Orlando City’s 2017 season will face the most intrigue.

The Lions entered MLS with lofty expectations. Orlando City had won big every year in USL and fans expected to compete for championships — perhaps not right but quickly. The team signed former Ballon D’or winner Kaka to increase its international footprint and visibility.

The team had its star. Quickly, Orlando City asked fans and the team to “Defy Expectations” and push for the Playoffs in that expansion year.

Two years into Orlando City’s MLS existence and there are still no playoff appearances. The team parted ways with longtime coach Adrian Heath in the middle of last season. And now it appears some of Orlando City’s star players face uncertain futures — Kaka may be playing his last year in MLS and it is only a matter of time before Europe calls for promising young striker Cyle Larin.

Orlando City has kept its energy and buzz up entering the new stadium. And it is sure to be one of the highlights this season. But the Lions have to start delivering on the field soon too.

Like the Magic, absent from the Playoffs now for four years (the longest stretch in franchise history) and with an uncertain future themselves, Orlando City is in a position where the team needs to deliver some results on the pitch soon.

This is a big season for Orlando City — which starts Sunday against rival New York City FC at the sold-out Orlando City Soccer Stadium at 5 p.m..

To shine some light on the Magic’s neighbors in the sports scene, we reached out once again to Gavin Ewbank of The Mane Land to discuss Orlando City’s upcoming season and where the team goes from here.

On This Episode

  • How important it is for Orlando City to win in its first year in the new stadium
  • What are the expectations for Orlando City this season
  • How the Orlando City replaces longtime starters Kevin Molino and Brek Shea
  • How Orlando City can make the Playoffs this year
  • What to watch for in the first game this season

Be sure to follow Gavin Ewbank on Twitter @GavinEwbank. And be sure to follow The Mane Land on Twitter at @TheManeLand. And check out their podcast The Mane Land PawedCast on iTunes.

Next: Alex Martins: Season has been 'disappointing'

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