Orlando City B
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| Full name | Orlando City B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
Lions OCB | ||
| Founded | 2015 | ||
| Ground |
Titan Soccer Complex Melbourne, Florida | ||
| Capacity | 3,500 | ||
| Owner | Orlando City SC | ||
| Head Coach | Anthony Pulis | ||
| League | USL | ||
| 2016 | Inaugural Season | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
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Orlando City B (or OCB for short) is a United Soccer League (USL) club that is set to begin play in 2016. Owned by Orlando City SC based in Melbourne, Florida, OCB will play its home games at the Titan Soccer Complex on the campus of Eastern Florida State College.
History
On June 30, 2015, Orlando City SC announced that they would operate a USL club starting in 2016[1] in the Central Florida area. The team would be their USL affiliate, and Orlando City and Louisville City (their USL affiliate club for 2015) had negotiated a "long-term formal partnership" to replace their affiliation arrangement.[2]
Orlando City also announced that Anthony Pulis would coach the new team. Pulis was a player for Orlando City SC's USL club from 2011–14 and is the son of Tony Pulis, currently the manager of English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion F.C.[2] On August 11, 2015, Arizona United announced that Rob Valentino would retire from playing[3] and that he would be an assistant coach for Orlando's new USL team.[4]
On October 15, 2015, the club was officially introduced as Orlando City B, with home games to be played in Melbourne at the Titan Soccer Complex on the campus of EFSC campus.[5] In addition, OCB announced its first three player signings (pending USSF approval); defenders Mikey Ambrose and Kyle Callan-McFadden and midfielder Tony Rocha.[6] On December 17, Lewis Neal was signed to Orlando City B to provide leadership and an experienced presence on the team.[7]
Location
Tim Holt, Orlando's vice president of development, said that they would be looking for a stadium in Central Florida in order to facilitate the training of emerging players with the MLS team. Holt was the president of USL until May 2015.[1] Eastern Florida State College's stadium was visited by team personnel as a possible location.[8]
On August 21, 2015, the VP for athletics at Eastern Florida State College claimed in a pitch to the Brevard County Tourist Development Council's Sports Commission that the college's Titan Soccer Complex and a stadium in Deland are among the finalists to host games for the USL team.[9] Said plan was approved and the Titan Sports Complex at ECSC will be OCB's official home venue for the 2016 season.[5][6]
First team roster
- As of March 11, 2016
References
- 1 2 Tenorio, Paul (June 30, 2015), Orlando City to own, operate USL franchise in 2016, Orlando Sentinel, retrieved July 31, 2015.
- 1 2 Orlando City SC announce plans to field USL team in 2016, ending Louisville affiliation, MLSsoccer.com, June 30, 2015, retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ↑ Rob Valentino To Retire and Coach With Orlando City SC USL Club, August 11, 2015.
- ↑ Tenorio, Paul (August 11, 2015), Former Orlando City defender Rob Valentino named assistant coach of USL team, Orlando Sentinel.
- 1 2 "USL Welcomes Back Orlando City SC for 2016". United Soccer League. October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- 1 2 Orlando City Announces Orlando City B, Signs Defenders Mikey Ambrose, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Midfielder Tony Rocha, October 15, 2015
- ↑ http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2015/12/17/lewis-neal-re-joins-orlando-city-family-extended-role
- ↑ Malone, Giles (July 1, 2015), Eastern Florida State Could Be Home To Orlando City Soccer Minor League Team, retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ↑ Berman, Dave (August 21, 2015), "Melbourne could get soccer team with Orlando City ties", Florida Today (Gannett Company).
- ↑ http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2016/3/25/orlando_city_sc_loan.html
External links
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