Orlando City SC kicked off its 2015 preseason Friday with its annual media day. The inaugural event consisted of an hour-long training session, the team’s first this year, followed by player and staff availability to the media.
The Lions were able to take the field together Friday for the first time as an MLS squad. The light morning session included ball skill and endurance exercises. Head coach Adrian Heath said it felt “like the first day of school” as the team gathered on the field for the first time.
Heath said he’d spent the last five months watching film and searching the world for players and was excited to get to do what he likes doing best - working with players. His 37th preseason as a professional player or coach, Heath said this is the most excited he’s ever been.
The most popular person of the day was Brazilian superstar Kaká. While media members couldn’t wait to talk to the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, his new teammates were just as excited to be in his presence. Following the morning training session, several players said they couldn’t believe they were sharing the field with the legend.
Photo Gallery: Day One Of Training For Orlando City
Kaka himself expressed his happiness about joining Orlando City. After having visited the theme parks several times with his family, Kaka said he’s now “knowing Orlando in another way” calling it a “very nice city that’s much more than just Disney.” On the field, the Brazilian international reiterated his comments last week that his goal was to win the MLS Cup this coming season.
One very noticeable thing about this year’s team is it’s undeniable youth. 15 players on the roster are 25-years-old or younger while only three have reached the age of 30. Despite the youth in the senior team, Heath isn’t concerned. When confronted with the famous Alan Hansen quote “you can’t win anything with kids,” Heath cited Manchester United’s “class of ‘92” voicing his belief that the team’s veteran leadership and young talent will see them through.
On the front office side, club President Phil Rawlins announced some exciting events coming up as the club gears up for it’s inaugural MLS campaign. On February 7, the club will host an open training session at the Citrus Bowl where Coach Heath will be mic’d up. Rawlins also said that several events will be lined up for fans in the week leading to the first home game on March 8. These events are all a part of the club’s #FilltheBowl initiative in an attempt to sell out the Citrus Bowl with over 60,000 fans.
Orlando City’s inaugural MLS media day opened the club’s 2015 preseason. For media members, it was their first chance to see the squad in action and see Kaka participating in the club shirt. With a superstar garnering over 60 million followers across all his forms of social media and media in four languages in attendance Friday, all eyes will clearly be on Orlando City for the 2015 MLS season.
