Orlando City in their new stadium

On Saturday, April 29, I was asked to attend the Orlando City SC game in Orlando with my cousins. Jim and Janis Provoncha, were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary and wanted me to come along. Their son Jason was going and they needed a fourth. They have season tickets and have had them since the inaugural season. This year they have moved to their new Stadium in downtown Orlando, near the Amway Center on Church Street. The first game was played on March 5.

The Orlando City stadium as seen from Church Street

The stadium juts right against the street, an unusual design but kind of convenient for the fans.  The part of Orlando is called Parramore, and historically has been home to people of African descent. There is much history and this area and one hope was that the new stadium was help the area. That remains to be seen but as you walk to the game, many people have set up parking areas and others are cooking fresh barbecue and other food. The aromas were amazing.

Jim and Janis next to the convenience store across from stadium

We parked near the Amway Parking garage on the south side of the arena, and had about a fifteen meeting walk to the game. There is a large group of fans that march down Church street from the Citrus bowl. As you can see, purple is the color of the team and I felt kind of naked in a white tee shirt. In the photo, you can see the Citrus owl in the back left. Most people do not realize that the Citrus Bowl  is also on Church Street.

Orlando City fans march before game

Of course, the stadium is brand new and very clean. There are all kind of food and drink vendors along the concourse that encircles the stadium. I took this picture of the pretty Heineken stand. I was not looking at the girl in the short shorts getting a beer....

Heineken Booth

Jason and I walked down to the south side of the field. I took this photo of Jason holding up his scarf...

Jason Provoncha

I was taking a photo of the West end seats as Jason was pointing out the color seats. You can see his finger...

Jason points out the seats on the West End

The West End is where my cousins seats are. For the game that starts at 4 pm, it is in the shade. They actually have the roof come over their section in the upper area. The rainbow color seats are dedicated to the 49 victims of the Pulse shooting last June in Orlando. Each seat has a white tag...

Rainbow seats dedicated to Pulse victims

Our section, 120, is the last one before the corner. There are suites at both the lower level and the upper level. My friend Bobby Bicknell was working the Owner's suite but was understaffed and could not get down to escort me up. I will try again in a future game and give Bobby more notice. The day was hot so the beers were going down easily.

West End

Another unusual aspect of this stadium is that the whole north end id standing room only. There are no seats but everyone gets a beer holder in front of them....

North End

On the East End, the seats spell out Orlando.

East End

Jim gave me an tour of the whole stadium. We bought dinner and Jason bought me one of those Heinekens.
Finally it was game time and the teams marched out with the kids. Orlando City Lions in Purple (duh) and the Colorado Rapids in Yellow. The referees and linesmen were in Orange.

Teams march onto field

 There was a national anthem, sung by a young man who did a great job....

National Anthem

And then the game started. The first half was a 0-0 tie but Orlando dominated the possession of the ball. Colorado did not get a shot on goal for the first 45 minutes.

Orlando City on defense

At halftime, they actually fix divots in the grass and water the grass.  You can see the rainbow formed by the droplets...

Watering field at halftime.

 In the second half, one of the Colorado players was hurt but it looked like a team meeting to me.

Colorado meets around injured player

We were down at the end where the standing wall is. There are four area I think resemble the platform for a band director. Each was manned by two very scary guys. I think if you do not cheer continuously throughout the game, they guys will take care of you.

Band Director on North End

 Even the cotton candy is purple.....

Purple Cotton Candy

Halfway through the second half, Orlando finally scored. Of course, part of the celebration is the release of purple smoke....

North end going wild after Orlando City score

Their star player #10, Brazilian Ricardo Kaka. I thought he should have gotten jersey #2 but Jim said that the best player always has 10. When Orlando City signed him, he became the highest paid MLS soccer player ever. He makes about $7.2 million a year. He had a free kick right in front of us....

Kaka

Although he did not start the game, he did come in during the second half to spark the team. He was hurt in the March 5th game with a hamstring injury and the fans were happy he was back. A wide view of his direct kick against Colorado....

Kaka prepares a direct kick on goal

They did not score on this play but he would score in the first minute of the stoppage time that was added for the second half.  Jim says they are undefeated at home and now hold the record for most wins without a lost in a new stadium. I am glad they won, I did not want to be the jinx that stopped the record.

I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the energy at the new stadium. I hope to go to another game before the season is over.