Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
NOTE FROM THE FORUM OWNER:

We had a long, enjoyable run, and I would like to thank every Orlando Magic fan who contributed to our small community on the web. This message board will be left online as an archive into the thoughts and minds of a group of Magic fanatics who lived through a 21-win season, the drafting of Dwight Howard, and an eventual NBA Finals appearance. You can also visit the original MagicMadness Forum at http://orlandomagic.proboards.com.

Special thanks to our Staff Members: Black and Blue, MAGICMANEVAN, and NYCMagicFan!

MagicMadness
Forum Owner
Add Reply
Orlando Soccer USL-1
Topic Started: Jan 15 2009, 05:22 PM (2,737 Views)
Orlando Rays
Member Avatar
Rookie
As mentioned in one of the Sentinel's blogs, there are new plans to restore pro soccer to Orlando.

The Mexican pro team C.F. Pachuca has been planning for the past year or so to find a location for a pro soccer team in the U.S. They called the project "Tuzos USA", with "tuzos" being the Spanish word for their team nickname, the Gophers.

Last Friday, they announced the location: Orlando.

Now initially there was some confusion. The original Spanish news sources mistranslated USL and thought Pachuca was installing the "Orlando Tuzos" in Major League Soccer. However, it is actually going in the USL First Division (USL-1). This is, essentially, the Triple-A of American pro soccer. If things work out, a move up to Major League Soccer may be in our future.

We are currently working on assembling a supporters club. We have a website here. We also have a thread on BigSoccer here. We should be getting our own team subforum at BigSoccer soon.

Our formative meeting will take place at Buffalo Wings and Rings on US 441 and Town Center Blvd. (Target Plaza, just south of SR 417) on Wednesday, February 11, at 7pm. We will be watching the 2010 World Cup qualifier match between the U.S. and Mexico national teams.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
adamosthegreek
Member Avatar
Kings of Europe
Good stuff, might check them out.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Orlando Rays
Member Avatar
Rookie
Just some updating.

We have given up on C.F. Pachuca. They have not been releasing any news here in the States, all we have are rumors. They range from them only targeting Spanish-speaking audiences to being done with Orlando altogether. We are focusing on a competing bid: Football Club Orlando. They are seeking to build a major soccer complex in Southwest Orlando at the intersection of SR 429 and New Independence Parkway, near Bridgewater Middle School, and are pursuing a pro soccer franchise, also in the aforementioned USL First Division.

The supporters club has been holding watch parties for various soccer events. The next one is this Thursday night. We hold them at Buffalo Wings & Rings, a restaurant at US 441 and Town Center Blvd. in the Target Plaza, just off SR 417 Exit 11. Here's a link with a map to the location.

The event is this Thursday night at 9pm, for the season opener for Major League Soccer. The big thing about Thursday night is that Mark Dillon, the President of FC Orlando, is going to come, and is trying to bring other FC officials. If we get a good turnout, we can convince them that pro soccer is worth pursuing in Orlando.

I mean, let's face it. There is nothing to do for sports fans here in the summer. We can't go to St. Pete to catch Rays games every single day. And there is a giant void in the sports landscape with the Predators suspended, and not knowing if they will come back. The USL First Division season fits perfectly in the postseason/offseason of the Magic.

Let's give Orlando another sports franchise they can be proud of.

Here is a flyer, if you guys don't mind spreading the word. Thanks for listening.

EDIT: Oh, we outgrew our BigSoccer thread, so we have a new one here.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
mgsports
Starter
Good know all it's needs is a MLS Team. Getting a Football team is good.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Orlando Rays
Member Avatar
Rookie
USL plans are kinda dead. Pachuca isn't budging on any plans, and they own rights to the market in the USL, so no one else can do anything about it.

There is the possibility of a breakaway league from USL-1, but I doubt we'll be part of it any time soon.

I have, for a long time, advocated an MLS team in Orlando. We have plenty of advantages, including a plan in place for an MLS-class stadium privately-funded in the west side of town (just waiting for a team so they can begin building) and a largely void summer season so they can draw fans from the area unimpeded.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Stuff's Sports Tavern · Next Topic »
Add Reply