Orlando City SC (6-9-6, 24 points) will return to the Orlando Citrus Bowl for the first time in two weeks for an Eastern Conference contest against second-place side Columbus Crew SC (8-7-7, 31 points) on Saturday, August 1. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased by visiting www.OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. In addition, the game will broadcast live on FOX 35 and Sun Sports. The fixture will also be transmitted in English on Real Radio 104.1 FM and in Spanish on La Grande 1030 AM.
"We've had three great games against them (Columbus). They've all been hugely entertaining," said head coach Adrian Heath. "There's been sending offs in both games. There's been lots of action and lots of goals, so I don't' anticipate anything different. We both like to play an open brand of football and get after it, so I don't see anything different this weekend. Just the importance of it has ramped up a little bit – certainly for us after the results in the past few weeks."
With both teams splitting three previous results earlier in the season (1-1-1), a budding rivalry has been brewing between both Clubs. After falling with 10 men at MAPFRE Stadium on April 18th, Orlando responded with a 2-2 draw against a 10-man Crew SC side at the Citrus Bowl, due to Pedro's Ribeiro's scintillating long-distance strike in the waning moments of the game.
Building on the momentum from the draw, the Lions defeated Columbus 2-0 – with goals from Kaká and Carlos Rivas – in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, ending the Ohio-based club's 2015 cup run.
Despite suffering a defeat on Sunday afternoon against fellow expansion club New York City FC, Orlando ended its recent goal-scoring drought in the match when rookie striker Cyle Larin notched his first professional hat-trick – becoming the second youngest player in MLS history to score three goals in a game.
Sitting seven points behind D.C. United for first place in the East, Columbus enters Saturday's contest after blowing a 3-0 first half lead against Toronto FC to draw 3-3 against the Canadian side.
Prior to collapsing against Toronto, Crew SC won three of its previous four games, defeating the Chicago Fire twice and the New York Red Bulls. Lethal striker Kei Kamara leads the team and MLS in goals with 15 so far this season, two more than Toronto Designated Player Sebastian Giovinco, who sits in second place.
To purchase group or individual tickets, or to sign up for the 2016 Season Ticket waitlist, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY.
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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 USL matches (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 over 33,960 fans per home game – including 62,500 for its home opener – a record for an expansion team in its first 11 stand-alone 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 also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. Lastly, the Orlando City Foundation is active in the community year round, promoting health and wellness in children throughout the region, and raising funds for and volunteering time for various local organizations.
For more information, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com, www.OrlandoCityYouth.org and www.OrlandoCitySC.com/Foundation.com.
Article provided and written by Orlando City Soccer Club.