Now the challenge really begins. For the first time in team history, Austin FC will enter an MLS match with a target on its back. Remember last year how beating Portland and Sporting KC felt like a notch in our belt? Well that shoe is on the other foot tonight as Austin FC prepares to host Orlando City. This will be Verde’s fourth match this year against an Eastern Conference opponent. So far, Austin is 3-0-0 in cross-conference matchups, but this game is by far the toughest of those to date.
Orlando City Fast Facts
- MLS Debut: 2015
- Nickname: Lions
- Current Record: 6-4-2 (20 points)
- Finish Last Season: 6th East (51 points)
- Trophies: 0
- Wooden Spoons: 0
- Names You May Know: Facundo Torres, Mauricio Pereyra
- Famous Orlando Folks: AJ McLean, Wesley Snipes, Donald Duck, Mandy Moore, Wayne Brady
Side note: I need to believe that Sebastian Driussi channeled his inner Snipes after that rabona pass on Wednesday. Meanwhile, I’m the guy singing about going to Sizzler.
What is Orlando’s Claim to Fame?
Look, we can go on all day about the theme parks, of which there are many. But that’s simply too easy for this site. So after some digging, The False 9 has learned that something called Gatorland exists in the Orlando area and bills itself as “The Alligator Capital of the World”. What is Gatorland, you ask?
Imagine if your local zoo and Dollywood had a baby, but that baby was filled with nothing but giant reptiles that want to eat you. Sounds fun, right? Here are some of the attractions:
- Zipline over a pit of alligators and pray that the thing holds. Because THERE ARE FUCKING ALLIGATORS BELOW THAT WANT TO EAT YOU!
- Take an off-road adventure through an alligator graveyard. Y’all, I swear I’m not making this up.
- Hand-feed big ass alligators, of which you have zero training to do. Remember, THESE ARE FUCKING ALLIGATORS THAT WANT TO EAT YOU! The craziest part, and this is 100% real, is that the website advertises this experience as “be glad you weren’t dinner”.
Florida is wild. Also, remind me never to go to Orlando.
Where did Orlando City come from?
The loins of Austin, Texas, that’s where. Long live the AzTex.
What is Orlando’s greatest export?
Oh it’s clearly this banger of a jam from the 1989 Orlando Magic.
Final Match Day Hate Rating
OK fine, there’s no real hate here. We’ve never played them. The AzTex angle is fun and all, but everyone is in MLS now and it worked out. So instead of a message for the visitors, I have one for our boys in Verde & Black:
Uncle Tony P.
Uncle Tony P. is a lifelong Austin FC supporter and overall handsome son of a bitch who always has a full supply of mustard on hand for his Verde friends.
as someone who was born and raised in orlando, and now in austin over 8 years and an fc season ticket holder, really want to win this one. also you should search “entrance to gatorland” and check google images. its a fantastic entrance to a majestic park. also the magic theme brought back some memories. Listos!
Congrats to Uncle P, nice pull with the original Orlando Magic theme, that song is still banging 33 years later!
Joey, I’m in your shoes but relocated to Austin 20yrs ago. Going to be a great match