Photographer: Raul Sosa
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Orlando City SC Communictions ORLANDO – May 4, 2015 – Orlando City SC announced today that longtime president of USL Tim Holt has agreed to join the Lions as Vice President of Development effective May 18. In this role, Holt will oversee various initiatives designed to further expand the brand of Orlando City both in the state of Florida and beyond.
"An executive of Tim's caliber will instantly contribute to our further development as a club, a sports property and a global brand," said Orlando City President and Founder Phil Rawlins. "I have worked with Tim for years and his work ethic and dedication has led to the incredible success seen at USL. We look forward to his contributions to the future of our Club."
Holt joined USL in 1999, and served as its President from 2009-2015. In the previous decade, Holt served USL in the various capacities of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Pro League Operations.
Under the period of his leadership, USL blossomed into the largest system of elite soccer leagues in North America with over 100 franchises and several hundred youth team members. Holt was a key figure in developing the affiliation partnership between USL and Major League Soccer that has become a critical platform for professional player development in the United States and Canada.
Holt has been repeatedly recognized as one of the leading executives in domestic soccer including having been named one of Soccer America's 'Rising Stars' in 2006 recognizing the top American soccer executives under the age of 35, as well as being recognized by SI.com in 2013 as one of "The 50 Most Powerful People in U.S. Soccer."
To purchase group or individual tickets, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY. Also, follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Orlando City Soccer Club: One of the leading teams in Major League Soccer (MLS), and the only MLS team in Florida, Orlando City Soccer Club has developed a rich history and passionate following in its short existence since starting in the USL in 2011. The Lions’ first team set the U.S. record for best start of any professional soccer club in its first 100 games (66-12-22). During that time, the Lions won three regular season titles and two postseason championships
In MLS, the team draws an average of 39,300 fans per home game – including 62,500 for its home opener – a record for an expansion team in its first four home games. In addition, the team is currently near the top of the league in social media followers. Orlando City has not only captured the passion of soccer fans in the City Beautiful, it continues to build its brand overseas as its matches are broadcast in 100 countries and in 30 languages. Outside of the first squad, OCSC operates the largest youth soccer club in Central Florida, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS). Lastly, the Orlando City Foundation is active in the community year round, promoting health, wellness and education opportunities for children throughout the region.
For more information, visitwww.OrlandoCitySC.com, www.OrlandoCityYouth.org and www.OrlandoCitySC.com/Foundation.com. Written by: Raul Sosa ![]() Orlando FL - Orlando City SC won their first game with a score of 3-2 over Ponte Preta FC at the renovated Citrus Bowl. Despite tonight’s game was a friendly against the legendary Ponte Preta FC from Brazil, 20,501 loyal fans assisted to the stadium and supported the purple lions that gave their fans a night to remember. The scorers for Orlando were: Rochez (45’), St. Ledger (55’) and Larín (90’). On the other hand, Tiago Alves (12’) and Renato Caja (59’) scored for Ponte Preta FC. It was a tight game from start to end. Although Ponte Preta FC was the visitor this evening, they opted for possession and high pressure near Orlando’s penalty box. Little by little, bit-by-bit, Ponte Preta cornered Orlando City SC onto their own penalty box hoping to score a goal. As a result, Orlando committed up to 7 fouls only on the first half of the game. It was in one of those free kicks when Tiago Alves scored for Ponte Preta FC with a beautiful header at the 12th minute of the first half. From this point, Orlando knew they had to seek the equalizer but they appeared to fall onto Ponte Preta’s possession game all over again. Consequently, Orlando’s keeper (Edwards Jr.), clipped forward #7 Rildo and committed a penalty kick granted to Ponte Preta at the 31st minute of the game. Fortunately for him, Earl Edwards Jr. saved the penalty and gave Orlando new hopes to seek the equalizer. At the last dying minutes of the 1st half, Orlando made a gorgeous cross coming from a corner kick and Bryan Rochez scored with a powerful header. It was the equalizer they were seeking and that was the end of the first 45 minutes. The second half was way more intense than the first one. This time both teams were seeking the tiebreaker from start to end. It seems that Orlando City SC focused their trainings on laboratory set pieces, as St. Ledger scored for Orland the 2nd of the night with another cross and a header coming from a corner kick at the 55th minute. When everything was joy and chanting at the Citrus Bowl due to the positive score (2-1), 4 minutes later Renato Caja from Ponte Preta converted a delightful free kick over the barrier and tied things up once again. The game became long and boring as both teams didn’t want to risk due to the fear of losing. It was until the 90th minute when Cyle Larin fell inside the penalty box. The referee granted the penalty and Cyle himself converted with a nice touch to the right of the net, converting the final score to 3-2 for Orlando City SC over Ponte Preta FC. Orlando City Communictions ORLANDO – May 1, 2015 – Orlando City SC will face Brazilian Serie A team Ponte Preta at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, May 2, for the Club's eighth international friendly in five years. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The upcoming fixture against Ponte Preta is included in the 2015 season ticket package, however non-season ticket members can till purchase tickets by calling 855-ORL-CITY or by visiting www.OrlandoCitySC.com.
In addition, the match will broadcast live on local television station WRBW MY65, Real Radio 104.1 FM and La Grande 1030 AM.
"We're looking forward to Saturday's match against Ponte Preta. We've played against Brazilian Serie A teams in previous years and they've always been very competitive," said head coach Adrian Heath. "Saturday's game will be another chance for our players to get more game time together, and it will also be a very good opportunity for some of our younger players to get quality minutes."
The match against Ponte Preta is Orlando City's third friendly against teams from the Brazilian Serie A, with the Lions previously facing São Paulo FC and Fluminense while in USL.
After finishing as runner-ups in the 2014 Serie B campaign, behind Joinville, Ponte Preta will return to Brazil's top division in 2015, beginning on Sunday, May 10 against Grêmio.
Known as the oldest team in Brazil, the friendly against Orlando City will mark Ponte Preta's first match in the United States. Additionally, former Brazilian National Team striker Borges will make his debut during the friendly.
In the past seven years, Borges has scored 108 goals in 253 matches with Brazilian powerhouses such as São Paulo FC, Grêmio, Santos and Cruzeiro.
To purchase group or individual tickets, visitwww.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY. Also, follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Orlando City Lions - MLS
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