Orlando City
Orlando City SC is a Major League SoccerMLSMajor League Soccer (MLS) is a top-flight professional soccer league comprising clubs in the United States and Canada. Play began in 1996, and the league has 30 clubs divided between Eastern and Western Conferences in 2026.Open the full entry club based in Orlando, Florida. Awarded an expansion franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015. Its home stadium is Inter.co Stadium.
Contents21 sections
Key facts
2007Austin Aztex origins
Orlando City’s organizational origins trace to the Austin Aztex, founded by Phil Rawlins in 2007.[1]
2010Move from Austin to Orlando
In 2010, Rawlins ended the team’s operations in Texas and moved to Orlando, joining the Orlando Pro Soccer group. At the team’s launch, he set a goal of reaching MLS within three to four years.[2]
2011Titles in the first Orlando season
In its first Orlando season in 2011, the team won the USL regular-season and playoff titles. Its championship match at the Citrus Bowl drew 11,220 spectators.[2]
September 2013Second USL championship
On September 7, 2013, Orlando City beat the Charlotte Eagles before 20,886 spectators to claim its second USL championship in three years.[2]
November 2013MLS expansion franchise awarded
On November 19, 2013, MLS awarded Orlando its 21st franchise, to begin play in 2015. Flávio Augusto da Silva led the ownership group, with Rawlins serving as founder and president.[1]
July 2014Kaká signed
On July 1, 2014, Orlando City signed Kaká to a multiyear contract as its first MLS Designated Player.[3]
March 2015Draw in the MLS debut
On March 8, 2015, Orlando City drew 1–1 with New York City FCNew York City Football ClubNew York City FC (NYCFC) is a Major League Soccer club representing New York City. Awarded its franchise in 2013, it began MLS play in 2015 and won the 2021 MLS Cup.Open the full entry in its MLS debut at the Citrus Bowl before 62,510 spectators. Kaká equalized with a stoppage-time free kick.[4]
2017Downtown stadium opens
The downtown Orlando soccer stadium opened in 2017 and became home to Orlando City and Orlando PrideOrlando PrideOrlando Pride is an NWSL women's professional soccer club in Orlando, Florida. It began play in 2016, hosts matches at Inter.co Stadium, and won its first NWSL Shield and Championship in 2024.Open the full entry.[5]
December 2019Oscar Pareja appointed
On December 4, 2019, the club appointed Oscar Pareja as head coach ahead of the 2020 season.[6]
August 2020MLS is Back Tournament runner-up
On August 11, 2020, Orlando City lost 2–1 to Portland in the MLS is Back Tournament final. It had eliminated Montréal, LAFCLos Angeles Football ClubLos Angeles Football Club (LAFC) are a Major League Soccer club whose regular home is BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The club won its first MLS Cup in 2022.Open the full entry and Minnesota UnitedMinnesota United FCMinnesota United FC is a Major League Soccer club based at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.Open the full entry to reach its first final of the MLS era.[7]
July 2021Wilf family completes acquisition
On July 21, 2021, the Wilf family completed its acquisition and became Orlando City’s majority owner, with Mark Wilf as chairman. The purchase also included Orlando Pride, the stadium and related soccer assets. The DeVos family joined as a limited partner.[8]
September 2022U.S. Open Cup triumph
On September 7, 2022, Orlando City beat Sacramento Republic 3–0 at home to win the U.S. Open Cup, its first trophy since joining MLS. Facundo Torres scored twice and Benji Michel added a stoppage-time goal. The victory secured the club’s first Concacaf Champions League berth.[9]
November 2023Playoff exit after a record regular season
Orlando City set then-club regular-season records of 18 wins and 63 points in 2023. On November 25, it lost 2–0 to Columbus after extra time in the Eastern Conference semifinals.[10]
November 2024First Eastern Conference final
On November 30, 2024, Orlando City played in its first Eastern Conference final, losing 1–0 at home to the New York Red BullsRed Bull New YorkRed Bull New York (RBNY) are a Major League Soccer club based at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The club has competed in MLS since 1996, previously as the MetroStars, and is owned by Red Bull.Open the full entry. Its 59 regular-season goals that year were a club record at the time.[11]
March 11, 2026Pareja departs
On March 11, 2026, Orlando City and Pareja mutually parted ways, and assistant Martín Perelman became interim head coach. Pareja had led the club to six consecutive MLS playoff appearances and an all-competition record of 103 wins, 72 losses and 66 draws.[6]
March 24, 2026Antoine Griezmann signing announced
On March 24, 2026, Orlando City announced Antoine Griezmann’s signing from Atlético Madrid. His contract runs from July 2026 through 2027–28, with a further season option. He was signed as a Designated Player, subject at announcement to medical and registration clearances.[12]
July 2026Griezmann makes his MLS debut
In July 2026, Griezmann made his MLS debut in Orlando City’s 4–0 away win over the San Jose EarthquakesSan Jose EarthquakesSan Jose Earthquakes is an MLS professional soccer club in San Jose, California, with PayPal Park as its home.Open the full entry, scoring in the 48th minute.[13]
July 23, 2026Stadium renamed
On July 23, 2026, Inter and the club announced that Inter&Co Stadium would become Inter.co Stadium. The downtown venue hosts both Orlando City and Orlando Pride home matches.[5]
August 2026Griezmann wins Player of the Matchday
On August 24, 2026, Griezmann was named MLS Player of the Matchday for Matchday 22 after scoring both goals in a 2–1 win over Real Salt LakeReal Salt LakeReal Salt Lake (RSL) is a professional soccer club in Utah. It began MLS play in 2005 and plays at America First Field in Sandy.Open the full entry, his first MLS brace.[14]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Orlando City: Official website: https://www.orlandocitysc.com/ (opens in a new window).[15]
Sources
- Major League Soccer Awards Expansion Team to Orlando | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- A Dream Come True - Orlando's Journey to MLS | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- The One Year Anniversary Of Orlando City's MLS Approval | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Orlando City & NYCFC Battle To 1-1 Draw In Front Of 62K | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Inter.co Stadium marks next chapter in partnership with Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Orlando City SC and Head Coach Oscar Pareja mutually agree to part ways | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Orlando City Falls in MLS is Back Tournament Final | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Wilf Family Completes Purchase of Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- 2022 Open Cup Champions | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Match report: Orlando City SC bows out of Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs following 2-0 defeat to Columbus Crew | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Match report: Orlando City SC bows out of Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs following 1-0 defeat to New York Red Bulls | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Global soccer icon and World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann to join Orlando City SC | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Antoine Griezmann! Orlando City superstar scores on MLS debut | MLSSoccer.com (opens in a new window)
- Orlando City SC forward Antoine Griezmann voted MLS Player of the Matchday Presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchday 22 | Orlando City (opens in a new window)
- Orlando City (opens in a new window)