On Sunday May 8 2015 62,510 attendees filled the sold out Citrus Bowl Arena, with some attendees opting to watch Orlando City Soccer's first match in the MLS via one of the 2,000 standing-room only spots in the downtown Orlando venue. Orlando's first game was against fellow expansion team, the New York City FC. With Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber in attendance, opening day was here with high expectations.
Kaka literally led the Orlando City team out onto the field, where for most of the match they maintained control of the ball. Numerous whistles and yellow cards issued by the referee prompted anger and not so family-friendly chants from the crowd, even resulting in beer cans being hurled out onto the field from the stands.
In the 76th minute, New York's Mix Diskerud scored the 1st goal of the game to give Orlando the scare of potentially losing its historical 1st game. The Lions (Orlando) got aggressive and drove hard to earn a goal; however, in the 84th minute one of Orlando's defenders, Aurelien Collin, makes a tackle on NY's David Villa which drew a hefty red card, ending his participation in the match to bring the Orlando on-field squad down to only 10 players.
Entering into stoppage time the official signaled that 4 minutes of additional time would be played. Then only moments later in the 91st minute a penalty kick is assessed and Orlando's Kaka lines up to take the kick from approximately 18 yards away from goal. He steps back, winds up, and propels himself forward as he strikes the ball. The ball hits NY's defensive wall, gets deflected toward the other side of the net and beats the goalie. The game is now tied 1-1.
An exuberant Kaka and team happily celebrate the goal with the game-ending whistle being blown to signal the end of the inaugural game and birth of Orlando City Soccer's into the MLS.
Kaka literally led the Orlando City team out onto the field, where for most of the match they maintained control of the ball. Numerous whistles and yellow cards issued by the referee prompted anger and not so family-friendly chants from the crowd, even resulting in beer cans being hurled out onto the field from the stands.
In the 76th minute, New York's Mix Diskerud scored the 1st goal of the game to give Orlando the scare of potentially losing its historical 1st game. The Lions (Orlando) got aggressive and drove hard to earn a goal; however, in the 84th minute one of Orlando's defenders, Aurelien Collin, makes a tackle on NY's David Villa which drew a hefty red card, ending his participation in the match to bring the Orlando on-field squad down to only 10 players.
Entering into stoppage time the official signaled that 4 minutes of additional time would be played. Then only moments later in the 91st minute a penalty kick is assessed and Orlando's Kaka lines up to take the kick from approximately 18 yards away from goal. He steps back, winds up, and propels himself forward as he strikes the ball. The ball hits NY's defensive wall, gets deflected toward the other side of the net and beats the goalie. The game is now tied 1-1.
An exuberant Kaka and team happily celebrate the goal with the game-ending whistle being blown to signal the end of the inaugural game and birth of Orlando City Soccer's into the MLS.