2017 Orlando City SC season
The 2017 Orlando City SC season was the club's seventh season of existence in Orlando, and third season in Major League Soccer, the top-flight league in the United States soccer league system. The team opened the season with a 1–0 win over New York City FC, at the newly-completed Orlando City Stadium.
Background
On December 29, 2016, club President Phil Rawlins announced his reduced role in the organization, acting as a liaison for the clubs and their brand in league matters, and consulting on the board of directors. The day-to-day operational duties were handed over to CEO Alex Leitão. In recognition for his 9 years of service, Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva announced that Phil's position would become permanent, bestowing the title of "Life-President." One of his first actions, on January 4, 2017, was to dedicate the 49 rainbow-colored seats in Section 12 of the new stadium to permanently honor the victims and families of those affected by the Pulse tragedy on June 12, 2016.Roster
Orlando City SC first team squadPlayer Movement
Per Major League Soccer and club policies terms of the deals do not get disclosed.MLS SuperDraft picks
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2017 draft was held on January 13, 2017. Orlando had one selection.Transfers In
Loans In
Transfers Out
Loans Out
Because of the inclusion of Orlando City B to the new stadium for home games, player movement between the two squads became possible for both teams. Some members who had MLS contracts had the "Right of Recall" option, applicable at any time to the first-team roster.| Date | Player | Position | Loaned To | Notes | Ref |
| March 10, 2017 |  Devron Garcia | DF |  Real C.D. España | Season Long Loan, expired 11/8/17 | |
| March 24, 2017 |  Earl Edwards, Jr. | GK | Orlando City B | ||
| March 24, 2017 |  Richie Laryea | MF | Orlando City B | ||
| March 24, 2017 | Conor Donovan | DF | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 | |
| March 24, 2017 | Kevin Alston | DF | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 | |
| March 24, 2017 | Pierre Da Silva | MF | Orlando City B | ||
| March 24, 2017 | Tommy Redding | DF | Orlando City B | ||
| March 24, 2017 |  PC | DF | Orlando City B | ||
| March 24, 2017 |  Hadji Barry | FW | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 | |
| April 7, 2017 |  Moussa Sane | ST | Orlando City B | Transfer Process Completed | |
| April 26, 2017 | Rafael Ramos | DF | Orlando City B | ||
| April 26, 2017 | Josh Saunders | GK | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 | |
| April 26, 2017 |  Seb Hines | DF | Orlando City B | Expired 11/8/17 |
Staff
Competitions
Friendlies
The Lions finish the preseason 2–2–2. Their first official match at the new stadium is a 3–1 friendly win against USL side St. Louis FC.Major League Soccer
The MLS schedule was released on January 12. Orlando City played its first regular season match in their new stadium on March 5, against their expansion rivals NYCFC. New expansion teams for this year are Minnesota United FC, led by former coach Adrian Heath, and Atlanta United FC. The squad goes into the season riding a 2-game winning streak, besting the Union at Philadelphia, and D.C. United at Camping World Stadium last October.The team announced two sellouts on February 21: the Home Opener vs. NYCFC on March 5, and the L.A. Galaxy on April 15.
Officials with the Atlanta Stadium group announced on April 18 that the retractable roof will not be completed in time for their planned opening match between Atlanta United FC and Orlando City SC on July 30, forcing moving the game to Bobby Dodd Stadium on July 29. The Lions visited Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, playing to a 3–3 draw, in front 70,425 fans. The game set an MLS attendance record, and registered as 4th-largest crowd in the world this season.
Results summary
Results
Standings
Eastern Conference table
Overall table
U.S. Open Cup
Orlando City entered the tournament in the fourth round against Miami FC, who had beaten the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2–0 on May 31, 2017.Player statistics
Top scorers
As of October 23, 2017.
Notable Events
is the jersey sponsor for the seventh consecutive season. New primary home kits were unveiled at the Fan Forum on Friday, February 17.Although a date has not been officially set, the MLS All-Star Game will be hosted in the new stadium per the league's contract with Orlando City. Commissioner Don Garber and CEO Alex Laitáo confirmed discussions on Sunday, March 5.Orlando City hosts Atletico Madrid in the All-Star Game at Exploria Stadium on July 31st, 2019.
On April 22, it was announced that Orlando City, alongside 3 other MLS clubs, will wear a special kit in commemoration of the Earth Day. The kit, made entirely with recycled plastic from the Maldives at the Indian Ocean, was made by Adidas in conjunction with the Parley for the Oceans foundation, in order to address marine plastic pollution in the world. Orlando used this kit in an away game against New York City FC on April 23.
On May 8, the United States Soccer Federation announced that Orlando City Stadium will join other MLS clubs in hosting FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the 2018 tournament. The venue hosted the October 8 home match between the USMNT against Panama. This was the Yanks' first fixture in Orlando since a friendly against Sweden in 1998. The 4–0 victory in front of the sellout crowd ensured future dates to be played in Orlando.
The fourth round draw of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, announced on May 18, had the Lions hosting the winner of Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Orlando City Stadium the second week of June.
Starting Goalkeeper Joe Bendik posts back-to-back years of 100+ saves before the team's largest win of the season, a 6–1 victory over the New England Revolution on September 27 at Orlando City Stadium.
With the New York Red Bulls win on October 7, the Lions were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for the 3rd straight year.
Team Captain and first Designated Player Kaká declined a 1-year extension on his contract in October 2017. He played his final match, assisting on Dom Dwyer's goal, and was subbed off in the 65th minute in a friendly fundraiser against the Puerto Rico National Team at the Stadium on November 4th.
On November 7, Orlando City Stadium is among 5 venues announced to host matches for the 2018 Florida Cup. The Fortress will open the tournament with games on January 10–11, 2018.
Orlando City B
After playing the 2016 season at Titan Soccer Complex on the campus of Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Orlando City B Head Coach Anthony Pulis announced on November 29, 2016 that the team would play at Orlando City Stadium starting in 2017. Orlando City Stadium is the first venue to host an MLS, NWSL, and USL team in the same location. The team plays in USL Pro division, which was granted provisional Division 2 status by the USSF on January 6, making it officially the 2nd-highest league in the United States, behind MLS and now ahead of the NASL. Orlando City B now plays in the same league the Lions started at when beginning play in Orlando. With the Tampa Bay Rowdies also making the move from NASL to USL Pro, the squads now have the first intrastate rivalry established, nicknamed "The War on I-4."On July 1, it was announced that Orlando City Stadium will host the Orlando City Development Academy U-17/18 knockout round match against the Colorado Rapids U-17/18s on Friday, July 7. The OCDA is the Club's youth development system that selects and trains elite youth soccer players with the hopes of developing future First Team talents. Two Academy products, Mason Stajduhar and Pierre Da Silva, are currently on City's First Team roster. Five current Academy players have featured or been included in OCB's 18-man gameday selections this season. Orlando City was the highest-ranked team remaining in the tournament. The team's historic run ended with a 2–1 semi-final defeat to the Colorado Rapids' DA team.
Due to Hurricane Irma, Orlando City B’s match against the Richmond Kickers on September 7, was moved to a 4:30 p.m. ET start time at Orlando City Stadium. This was a Doubleheader with the Pride
The season ended on October 12, with a 2–0 loss to Tampa Bay, 2 points below the red line for the playoffs.
Head Coach Anthony Pulis announces on November 20th that he has accepted the same position with St. Louis FC. No replacement has been yet named by the club.
Orlando Pride
The Orlando Pride schedule was announced on March 1. Two Saturdays will be "Doubleheader Days" at the Stadium, alongside USL's Orlando City B, whose schedule was released on January 31: July 1 and September 23. The women's squad will take the pitch at 5:00 pm EST, and the men's team will kickoff at 8:30 pm EST.NWSL has signed a TV broadcast contract with the Lifetime Network to air a "Game of the Week" on Saturdays for the 22-week season. The Pride will have 7 matches featured on the channel, including their first game at the Portland Thorns on April 15, and their home opener vs. the Washington Spirit on April 22. The team bolstered its chances to make a run at the playoffs with the signing of five-time FIFA Women's Player of the Year Marta on April 7, 2017.
During halftime of the squads' home opener on April 22, officials with the NWSL joined CEO Flavio Augusto da Silva and Mayor Buddy Dyer to announce that Orlando City Stadium will host the league Championship Final on October 14. The neutral-site match will be alongside the semi-finals and the final of the 2017 NCAA Women's College Cup slated for November–December at the venue.
The NWSL announced on August 17 that the Game of the Week on Lifetime for Saturday, Sep 23 at 3:30 pm. ET will now feature the Orlando Pride vs. Portland Thorns FC at Orlando City Stadium.
Due to Hurricane Irma, Orlando Pride's match against Seattle Reign FC, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sep 9, was played Thursday, Sep 7, at 8 p.m. at Orlando City Stadium.
With a loss by the Seattle Reign, coupled with the Pride's draw against Portland in the final home match of the season on September 23, the women became the first NWSL expansion team to make the playoffs, in only their second year of existence. They also defeated the North Carolina Courage, 3–2, in the last game of the season, to secure the No. 3 seed and a rematch with Portland in the Semi-finals. The dream season ended on October 7 with a 4–1 semi-final loss.
On October 4, Head Coach Tom Sermanni signed a contract extension to remain with the Pride.
Orlando Pride forward Marta and defender Ali Krieger have been named to the 2017 National Women’s Soccer League Best XI, announced on October 12th.