This weekend’s game is the first MLS game of the season at Olympic Stadium. In addition, the Impact will be hosting one of the most exciting clubs in Major League Soccer in Orlando City SC, a 2015 expansion side that bolsters an exciting brand of football and pretty interesting Designated Player.
The team was originally founded in 2008 as the Austin Aztex FC before relocating to Orlando. They played in USL Pro, the third tier of the American soccer pyramid from 2010 to 2014, until becoming a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise in 2015.
In four seasons in USL Pro, the Lions were one of the most successful franchises, winning three regular season titles and two playoff championships in just four seasons.
On June 30, 2014 the team signed international star Kaká as its first ever Designated Player after his release from AC Milan, loaning him out to São Paulo FC until the start of the 2015 season. The former Brazilian international is one of the most decorated players in soccer history from the last two decades, being named FIFA Player of the Year on two occasions and winning the World Cup with Brazil as well as the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan.
The team’s inaugural season home opener was held at the Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015, against expansion cousins New York City FC, in front of 62,510 spectators. Orlando conceded the first goal from Mix Diskerud and defender Aurélien Collin was given a straight red card for a reckless challenge on NYCFC’s Designated Player David Villa, but Kaká equalized in added time with a free kick for the 1–1 draw.
Want to come to the game and see your Impact play the Orlando City SC? You can buy tickets through Ticketmaster.ca.
