Orlando, Fla.-- Orlando City SC announced a friendly against Italian club A.S. Roma on January 2 at Rollins College and showed fans early renderings of a proposed multi-purpose stadium that would serve as City’s Major League Soccer facility Tuesday night, along with announcing a new uniform provider for the 2013 season, Lotto. Over 250 supporters packed Harry Buffalo in downtown Orlando for updates on the franchise as it continues its journey to bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Central Florida.
The highlight of the night came when Orlando City President Phil Rawlins announced the exhibition match between Orlando and famed Italian football club A.S. Roma. To be played at Rollins College in early January, soccer fans all around Central Florida will be able to experience top-flight Italian style-soccer in Orlando. Roma announced a deal with ESPN Wide World of Sport Complex earlier in the year, making Central Florida their official winter training home.
Team leaders also confirmed that the three-time Serie A champions will be bringing their “A” squad to Florida, making for an exciting matchup in Winter Park. More details will be announced regarding the friendly in the upcoming weeks.
City also showed fans and press in attendance an early rendering of a soccer stadium that would be built for Orlando City SC and Major League Soccer. Even though the renderings do not reflect the final product, it reaffirmed everyone around the country that Orlando has been working tirelessly to bringing a Major League franchise to Central Florida.
“There’s going to be a limited amount of slots for MLS expansion,” said Rawlins. “We want to make sure Orlando is at the front of that list and we get one of those slots.”
The Lions, who were previously with Umbro for their first two years in Orlando, also announced a deal with Ormond Beach-based Lotto to become the official kit provider for the Lions. The team unveiled the new uniform designs, including a new white alternate. Orlando had red and purple in rotation last season, with white kits previously being used in the team’s inaugural 2011 campaign.
