Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 69-85: Happy Homecomings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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80. Alay Lago, Florida Fire Frogs

The Florida Fire Frogs have had a solid first season. Attendance is solid, but could be better. But the game experience overall has been good.

The team, entering Monday’s game, is 21-35 in the second half of the season and were a division-worst 25-41 in the first half of the season. The Atlanta Braves farm system needs a bit more fleshing out in the Florida State League. The Fire Frogs will surely improve some in their second year.

That improvement likely will come from Alay Lago. The 26-year-old second baseman is hitting .299 with 41 RBIs, leading the team in at bats this year.

79. Earl Edwards Jr., Orlando City B

Earl Edwards Jr. has been a long-time coming for Orlando City. But the Lions have had veteran goalies always ahead of the young keeper. It always feels like Edwards is the next big thing that will never arrive.

Maybe big thing is a bit of an overstatement. He has played some games for the main club, but has struggled to establish himself there. Where he has established himself is at USL for Orlando City’s minor league team, Orlando City B.

Edwards has nine clean sheets this year. The team has given up just 0.9 goals per game. Edwards has established himself as one of the best keepers in the league. And he is hovering between the USL and MLS play.

With Josh Saunders out for the rest of the year for Orlando City, Orlando City B may need to call up Edwards to play Joe Bendik’s backup the rest of their season.

Either way, Orlando City B has kept itself in the Playoff hunt in USL.

78. OpTic Gaming (CoD World Championship)

Back at the beginning of the month, the Amway Center transformed into the center of the gaming world for the Call of Duty World Championship from Major League Gaming.

And it was quite a thriller. OpTic Gaming lost in the winner’s bracket earlier in the day Sunday and stormed back for some revenge to win the tournament in an event that seemed to put competitive Call of Duty on the gaming map.

The Amway Center transformed into a gaming arena as fans packed the house to watch this event. It could open the door for more gaming championships to come to Amway Center.