Here at Orlando City UK, we are all about inspiring fellow Brits to take an active interest in Major League Soccer franchise Orlando City SC.
We recently caught up with Durham-based Lions fan Charlotte Patterson who is undoubtedly one of Orlando City SC‘s biggest supporters right here in the United Kingdom.
Why did you choose to follow Orlando City SC?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve lived and breathed football. The suspense, the atmosphere, the jubilation, the heartache. Oh I’ve had my fair share of heartache being a Sunderland fan.
However, it was when I was 11-years-old that my passion for football multiplied when I started playing for a team as a goalkeeper. It was all thanks to watching an incredibly talented Hope Solo of the United States playing in the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup to qualify for 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Don’t get me wrong. I followed our own England Lionesses throughout the qualifiers and World Cup watching with anticipation to see whether we would lift the trophy but, the sheer presence and authority from the United States’ Hope Solo was enough to inspire me to play the game and become interested in US football or better yet, soccer!
My actual love for Orlando and Florida started when I first visited the state in 2001 with my family. Of course I was excited by the prospect of seeing Mickey Mouse at Magic Kingdom and couldn’t wait to go on the Back to The Future Ride at Universal Studios but even in my younger years, I was so captivated by Orlando and the presence it had.
So it was no wonder that I returned with my family again in 2002, 2004 and 2006. I had always wondered after all those holidays whether Orlando actually had a football (soccer) team and somehow in my naivety, believed that their team were the Orlando Pirates.
It was only in 2009 when I heard my Dad mention how there was a team called Austin Aztex who were relocating to Orlando that I realised how wrong I was about the Orlando Pirates and that they were actually a South African Football team not at all based in the United States, never mind Florida. Although I have to admit, they still hold a soft spot in my heart after all those years of false admiration.
I do vaguely remember watching some Orlando City SC games when the team were in USL Pro through very patchy web links or Facebook or YouTube and being incredibly impressed by the likes of Dom Dwyer, Miguel Gallardo, Kevin Molino and Anthony Pulis.
And then in 2014/2015, I saw it all over the news that Kaká would be joining Orlando City SC in our first ever Major League Soccer season and it was from there that my life changed and I became part of community that I feel so proud and privileged to be involved in.
What is your favourite thing about Orlando City SC?
The community and fanbase hands down! The passion and fire of Orlando City SC’s supporters was one of the things that drew me to the team in the first place. Even though I live over 5000 miles away, I feel like I’m part of something – like a family.
We all connect with each other via Twitter, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or location. We’re all united through our passion and devotion to Orlando City SC and it gives me goosebumps when I even think about it.
I can honestly say I genuinely only use Twitter to follow and connect with Orlando City SC and its supporters, especially on game nights where the UK fanbase all encourage and motivate each other into the early hours of the morning while the US fans make sure we’re part of something bigger.
The fans are just incredible with their iconic marches, tifos, spirit, chants and unwavering commitment to the team. The supporters are definitely one of the main reasons why I cant wait to head over to Orlando and be part of this fantastic soccer culture.
Do you think there is good access to following Orlando City SC in the UK?
Absolutely! The whole reason I’ve written this piece is due to the Orlando City UK Twitter account.
It all started when I first joined Twitter in 2016 and tweeted about watching how end-to-end the game between Orlando City SC and New England Revolution was with the game ending 2-2.
I remember Orlando City UK tweeting me back about the game and since then, I’ve never looked back.
I’m now part of an incredible soccer family who all keep each other up to date, whether it’s kit releases, live streams of the game, games that Sky Sports are televising, transfer news, team selections, Watch Parties and much more – the list goes on!
It was hard to watch Orlando City SC in our inaugural MLS season and I don’t think Sky Sports were quite so enthusiastic to showcase the growing world of Major League Soccer which meant trying to access games via web links.
However, the MLS coverage is getting better with each passing year and I feel more people are understanding the hype behind the league with Sky Sports televising a selection of MLS fixtures each weekend. After all, they aired at least 10 live Orlando City SC games in the 2017 season so I really can’t complain.
Regardless of whether I can watch the game, I always have notifications turned on for Orlando City UK’s Twitter accpunt and keep up to date with their play-by-play commentary of the games. I never feel like I’m missing out!
Who is your favourite Orlando City SC players, past and present?
Like I said earlier, my past favourite players (although one is now present) have to be Dom Dwyer, Miguel Gallardo and Kevin Molino. Obviously Kaká is a key figure in his own right and was very much the reason my attention was firmly drawn back to Orlando in the first place.
Currently, my favourite Orlando City SC players have to be Joe Bendik – an incredible and very underrated goalkeeper – Yoshimar Yotún, Jonathan Spector, Mohamed El-Munir and even though he’s only just started his Lions career, I have to say Chris Mueller.
He enjoyed an amazing pre-season performance and linked up well with the likes of Sacha Kljestan. He’s also determined, humble and talented, and I can really see him making a name for himself this season.
He’s been given a chance to showcase his abilities and so far he’s doing exactly that! I would love to see him score his first MLS goal at home in front of The Wall. I can already imagine the scenes!
Where do you think Orlando City SC will finish in 2018?
It’s tough to say. I wouldn’t like to judge us going off the first two games of the season and I don’t really want to think about how last season ended up.
I think we will finish in the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs this season. I wouldn’t like to say which position but, I’m confident that we have a squad which should reach the playoffs on paper.
I think the difficult thing for all us Orlando City SC fans is that we know with the roster, the squad depth, the talent, the ambition and our supporters, we feel we deserve to finish in the playoffs and showcase our ability.
I think at the moment we have a lot of individual talent, each with their own set of skills and qualities but we need these individuals to gel together and start performing as a true team. Once we do that, I definitely think we will become a formidable force in MLS!
What is your favourite memory following Orlando City SC?
Jeez – now this is a tough one! There are lots of good memories all for different reasons.
One of my favourite memories was from 2017 when we were undefeated in six games at home, as well as earning two big victories both home and away against New York City FC.
Another one of my favourite memories was from 2016 when Orlando City SC drew 2-2 with New York City FC at Yankee Stadium after initially going 2-0 down. NYCFC were awarded a penalty towards the end of the match with David Villa taking a penalty to make it 3-0 to the home side.
Just when you thought, this would be a dead certain goal, Villa misses and Orlando City SC clinch 2 late goals to tie the game and also helped me win £250 on my bet!
This was definitely a win-win situation!
If you were to recruit more people to support Orlando City SC, what would you tell them?
You want a team that will give you highs and give you lows. You want a team that recognises admiration and support where players will interact and appreciate your loyalty.
You want a team that will surprise you and keep you at the edge of your seat in anticipation until you experience the total ecstasy of winning a game in the dying moments.
You want a team that will cause the hairs on the back of your arms to rise and your voice to break from the sheer jubilation of being part of something bigger than yourself.
For all of the reasons and more, you want to be part of Orlando City SC!
Charlotte Patterson
Orlando City UK Member