With Orlando City SC three-and-a-bit years into their Major League Soccer journey, the Lions already have an abundance of loyal and passionate supporters spread up and down the United Kingdom.
One particular Orlando City UK member who has followed Orlando City SC since their days in USL is avid Nottingham Forest and Lions fan Dan Berridge. We caught up with Dan to see why Orlando City SC were the team for him.
Why did you choose to follow Orlando City SC?
I have always had an affinity with The City Beautiful from my days spent as a cast member with Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line, so I sort of fell into it really.
A friend of mine is an Orlando City SC season ticket holder and with him also being a Manchester United fan, we bonded over Nathan Tyson’s volley for my beloved Nottingham Forest that helped dump Manchester City out of the FA Cup in 2008/09!
I attended a training course at Walt Disney World and one day he text me asking if I wanted to go to the Orlando City SC versus Dayton Dutch Lions game.
It was a 0-0 draw (four red cards!) played out in front of no more than 1,000 people at the Citrus Bowl. I joked about the standard (it wasn’t great), but from then on, I was in!
What is your favourite thing about Orlando City SC?
Honestly, it’s the fans and the atmosphere.
Whilst Orlando City SC supporters are very vocal when things are not going so well, I do not think I have ever felt so welcome as I do at Orlando City Stadium.
My second game was a 1-4 loss to Columbus Crew at Camping World Stadium in September 2016 and the atmosphere was amazing, even at 3-0 down!
Everyone was so friendly and excited to learn there were a collection of Orlando City SC supporters across the pond!
I pondered myself, if the atmosphere was this good when we are getting battered, what must it be like when we are flying?
Do you think there is good access to following Orlando City SC in the UK?
The Orlando City UK Official International Fan Club has definitely made that easier!
It’s so great to have an Orlando City SC community over here and it’s been a great way to meet some new people while allowing me to feel closer to the club.
I think interest in, and respect for Major League Soccer has grown in this country, particularly as Sky Sports’ coverage of the league has increased. Social media is also a great way to keep up to date with all things OCSC!
Who is your favourite Orlando City SC players, past and present?
My favourite former player has to be Kaká. I was always an admirer of his from his time at AC Milan and getting to see him play live for Orlando City SC was such a privilege. In his prime, he was the best number 10 in world football.
In terms of the current squad, I would have to say Yoshimar Yotún, Dom Dwyer and Mohamed El-Munir. All three are quality players.
Mohamed El-Munir reminds me a little of Stuart Pearce in his pomp and Dom Dwyer, in my opinion, is one of the best finishers in MLS.
I don’t even know where to start with Yoshi. He is a class act and I was so happy to see him represent Peru so well at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Everyone knows I’m an avid follower of Orlando Pride too. Seeing the likes of Marta and Alex Morgan play live earlier this year was unbelievable.
I really hope Orlando Pride can help to increase interest in women’s football on a global scale much like Portland Thorns have.
Where do you think Orlando City SC will finish in 2018?
Honestly, I think we just need to stop the rot, take each game as it comes and start to build for next season.
We have a good squad but there is a lot of rebuilding that needs to take place. With sensible activity in the 2018 winter transfer window, I can see us reaching the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs.
What is your favourite memory following Orlando City SC?
Probably my first visit to Orlando City Stadium earlier this year in March. I was so impressed with the stadium, particularly The Wall! It truly felt like I was returning home.
Orlando City Stadium has also got the look and feeling of a traditional English stadium. It reminds me of Nottingham Forest’s City Ground in a lot of ways.
I love our purple digs and hopefully we can bring silverware to it soon.
If you were to recruit more people to support Orlando City SC, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that it’s like being part of one huge extended family. Not just with the supporters on both sides of the pond but the club itself.
I love that Alex Leitão, Kay Rawlins and other key figures at the club are so involved with the fanbase and community around them.
I would also implore people to watch more MLS games on Sky Sports.
People that I go to the City Ground with have often likened Major League Soccer to League Two so when I show them videos, they are often surprised by how high the standard is – and it’s getting better.
I also like to tell them that you never have to wear a fleece to Orlando City Stadium and you certainly won’t find any Bovril beneath the terraces!
Dan Berridge
Orlando City UK Member