Orlando City had a lot of great moments in 2016. From crucial saves to spectacular goals, Orlando City provided more than one exhilarating memory. Here are our top five moments from the 2016 season.
#5: Joe Bendik Saves PK Against Portland
On Sunday, April 3rd, Orlando City earned an exciting 4-1 victory over the defending MLS Cup champions, the Portland Timbers. When Orlando City was up 2-0 towards the end of the first half, the Portland Timbers drew earned a penalty kick after a handball by the Orlando City defense. If scored, the penalty kick could have completely shifted the moment of the game-- but goalkeeper Joe Bendik came through and earned a save that kept Orlando City’s momentum alive and helped them to a 4-1 victory.
#4: The Tifo During the Final Match In Camping World Stadium
In the final match for Orlando City in Camping World Stadium, the fans revealed a tifo that said “So Long Citrus Bowl… We’re Goin’ Home.” The tifo referenced the new Orlando City stadium, which will open at the start of the 2017 season. The match was a great send-off for Camping World Stadium, where Orlando City played throughout their USL years and their first two seasons in MLS.
#3: Special Olympics Team Travels To Chicago
In August, Orlando City participated in an MLS Unified Match in Chicago. The local Special Olympics soccer team travelled with the team to Chicago, staying in the same hotel as the players. After the Orlando City- Chicago Fire MLS match, the Special Olympics’ team played an MLS Unified Match. The Orlando team won. After their victory, the team travelled around Chicago and took in the sights of the city.
#2: Orlando United Match-- Moment of Silence
Following the shooting at the Pulse Nightclub on June 12th, Orlando City did everything they could to honor those that were affected by this tragedy and to send the message to the rest of the world that Orlando was standing strong and standing together. Amongst other things, the match against the San Jose Earthquakes stopped in the 49th minute. To honor the 49 people who were killed, the players stopped and observed a moment of silence. 49 seats in the stadium were left empty, with balloons tied to them to honor those lives lost.
#1: The Comeback
As their first match of the season, Orlando City hosted Real Salt Lake at Camping World Stadium. Orlando City went down early in the match, giving up a goal to Joao Plata in the 22nd minute. Plata tacked on a second goal at the start of the second half. When all hope seemed lost, Orlando City came charging back. In stoppage time, the Orlando City offense found not one but two goals scored by Cyle Larin and Adrian Winter. The goals came within a minute of each other, and just in time to give Orlando City a draw in their opening match of the season.
