MELBOURNE, Fla. (July 26, 2016) – Orlando City SC will host English Premier League side Stoke City on Wednesday, July 27. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Titan Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed live at www.OrlandoCitySC.com/LIVE.
“We’ll approach the match and use it the right way. I think it could actually be beneficial,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said. “We’re going to be asking the players to make some tactical adjustments that we talked about in the meeting. We’ll use it as an evaluation piece to make decisions going forward.”
This is Kreis’ first game as Orlando City’s head coach. Kreis was hired on July 19 and is taking over for interim head coach Bobby Murphy, who led the Lions for four games. Kreis led Real Salt Lake to the playoffs every year from 2008 to 2013, won MLS Cup in 2009 and came within a penalty kick shootout of a second title in 2013.
Titan Soccer Complex, on the campus of Eastern Florida State College and Orlando City B’s home stadium, offers fans an exciting game day experience with numerous food trucks, an amusing fan zone and an intimate, family-friendly atmosphere.
The match comes after the two clubs announced a formal affiliation on May 6, marking the official start to a partnership that includes player exchange opportunities, access to scouting networks and player recruitment systems, as well as cross-promotional opportunities.
Stoke City prepares for its ninth consecutive season in the Premier League. The Potters finished ninth in the EPL in 2015-16 with 51 points. Marko Arnautović led the team with 11 league goals. Manager Mark Hughes led Stoke to the fourth round of the FA Cup and the semifinal of the League Cup.
Orlando City is 20 games into its second Major League Soccer season. The Lions boast the second highest home attendance in MLS and two MLS All-Star selections, including All-Star captain Kaká and 2015 Rookie of the Year Cyle Larin.
This is the fifth encounter between Orlando and an English Premier League side - previously facing Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion. In their most recent face off against an English team, City overpowered West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on July 15, aided by an outstanding goal by Kaká and a Carlos Rivas free kick.
The Lions hosted the Potters in Orlando on July 28, 2012. Peter Crouch assisted on Jonathan Walters’ first-half stoppage time goal to secure a 1-0 win.
City returns to Camping World Stadium to close out a busy month of July on Sunday, July 31, when it hosts the New England Revolution. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
