Orlando City SC cut the ribbon Friday on its new training ground in Kissimmee, marking a major milestone for the elaborate facilities project.
The Orlando City SC Training Ground will serve as the permanent and exclusive home for Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer (MLS), Orlando City B of the United Soccer League (USL League One), and the Orlando City Development Academy – putting the entirety of the Club’s development pyramid under one roof for the first time in its history.
“This is a very special day for our Club. The opening of our own, state-of-the art training facility is a monumental step towards our long-term vision for the organization and has been something we have been looking forward to since day one,” said Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão. “After opening our first-rate soccer stadium downtown in 2017, we have continued to work toward our commitment to put Orlando City over the top when it comes to recruiting top talent and supporting player development. With the opening of this new facility, we are very excited about the impacts it will have, both on and off the field, for our entire development pyramid across the First Team, Orlando City B and our Development Academy.”
“For me it is a pleasure to be a part of such an important day for our Club, our staff and our players. We are all so happy to have a new facility to put all of our effort, every day and every week to improve our quality,” Orlando City captain Luis Nani said. “I want to thank ownership for this opportunity and for the investment in this facility to give us the ability to work here every day with no excuses. This is one of the best facilities I’ve worked with in all of my career. I’m so excited to be here, to put forth all of my ambitions and excitement to perform with my teammates and my coach.”
The 20-acre training complex features four fields – three natural grass and one artificial turf – with each natural grass field comprised of Latitude 36 Bermudagrass, the same playing surface found at Exploria Stadium. In addition, the facility will house a fitness, training and recovery center; a players’ lounge and a meal room. In addition, the Orlando City Training Ground will feature the first Audi Performance Center as part of an MLS-wide initiative to further elevate the game of soccer in North America.
Also located on the grounds of the facility is Osceola County Stadium, a 5,400-seat venue set to become the new home of Orlando City B. The former ballpark that most recently served as the home of Minor League Baseball’s Florida Fire Frogs (High A; Florida State League) will undergo a full redevelopment to become a soccer-specific field, set to host OCB matches and other events.
The First Team will begin its preseason training at the Orlando City Training Ground on Monday, January 20.
Image courtesy Orlando City SC.
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