Impact Update for Thursday, August 4
“It was spectacular. It was fun, and the fans really added a beautiful dynamic to the match tonight. We were grateful that so many fans decided to attend, especially in this heat, and they added a great atmosphere to tonight’s game.”

-Mikel Arteta, Arsenal FC Head Coach


See Florida Cup story below...
Quote of the Day.

"Make sure your worst enemy doesn't live between your two ears."

- Laird Hamilton
American Big-Wave Surfer
Around The Horn.

  • After existing only as the Florida Cup for the last seven years, the newly minted FC Series took its talents across the country, with multiple teams and venues spanning a week-long stretch of matches. In all three matches that Chelsea participated in, an average of almost 55,000 fans attended, with the final fixture against London rivals Arsenal breaking a Camping World Stadium record for soccer matches, with 63,811 in attendance.
  • Jones High football coach Elijah Williams says the school’s fan base has wanted a rematch with Miami Northwestern ever since a Class 5A final loss that drew an overflow crowd too big for Daytona Stadium to handle in 2019. It happens in two weeks when Northwestern nation travels to Orlando to see their Bulls play the Tigers in an Aug. 20 preseason Kickoff Classic game at 65,000-seat Camping World Stadium, which is walking distance from Jones High.
  • The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) announced that it will add a new tournament to its 2022 schedule, bringing the country’s premier professional beach volleyball tour to Central Florida. The new AVP Pro Series Central Florida Open will be held December 2-4 at Hickory Point Beach on the shores of Lake Harris, replacing a Pro Series event that had been scheduled for mid-September in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
  • Tampa Bay Lightning founder Phil Esposito, one of the greatest hockey players and executives of all time, is lending his name and NHL Hall of Fame credentials to the new elite sports campus at Olympus in Clermont. The facility will feature two NHL regulation ice surfaces for ice hockey and figure skating training and competition.
  • Legendary UCF quarterback Daunte Culpepper spoke to Gus Malzahn’s football team Monday night. Culpepper’s appearance in front of the Knights follows his time spent at a summer event for Mission Control, a collective that provides name, image and likeness opportunities for UCF athletes.
  • Varsity Sports Network is pulling out the stops to showcase high school sports in Florida. The network will stream live games from 22 sports on 16 channels, with other content like rankings shows, interview shows and more and more filling in the void when live sports are not available.
  • UCF football has completed the 2023 non-conference schedule, adding Villanova to the Knights’ calendar for a Sept. 16 matchup in Orlando. This game is in addition to UCF’s previously scheduled non-conference matchups with Kent State and Boise State for the ‘23 season. The Knights only need three non-conference games once in the Big 12 Conference starting next season, one less than required in the AAC.
  • The running back position is a strong suit for Orlando area high school football with eight of the top 10 rushers back from 2021. That list includes Lake Brantley option quarterback Braxton Woodson. Here are the frontrunners with their 2021 rushing statistics.
  • Orlando City SC will host the 2022 US Open Cup final on Sept. 7 after beating the New York Red Bulls, 5-1, in Wednesday night’s first semifinal. The Lions turned a 1-0 deficit into a commanding 5-1 semifinal victory over the Red Bulls at a rain-soaked Exploria Stadium.
  • Chase Stokes, star of the Netflix hit TV show Outer Banks, shared that he was "too hyped" about the Orlando Magic for next season during Paolo Banchero's 50-point performance at The CrawsOver.
  • UCF football was picked to finish third in the 2022 American Athletic Conference football preseason media poll released Thursday. The Knights, who received seven first-place votes and a total of 225 point, trail behind only Houston and defending league champion Cincinnati.
  • A pair of Orlando City Academy products have been selected to the inaugural MLS NEXT All-Star Game, with midfielders Alejandro Granados and Favian Loyola being named to the East roster. The match will be streamed live and further tune-in details will be available at a later date.
  • It's been over 25 years since Shaquille O'Neal left the Orlando Magic, but he's often still named as the greatest player in franchise history. O'Neal's dominance, which began in Orlando, helped land him at No. 9 on Nick Wright's Top 50 NBA Players list of the last 50 seasons. O'Neal sits behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird and Hakeem Olajuwon on the list.
  • It doesn't appear that COVID-19 will have the same impact in 2022-23 as the NBA announced in a league-wide memo that the league will not have a vaccine mandate next season.
  • The rebirthed XFL, led by chairwoman Dany Garcia and co-owner Dwayne Johnson after it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the eight cities in which it plans to operate franchises next year, including Orlando. FSU alumni and former NFL star defensive back Terrell Buckley will serve as the coach for Orlando, which plans to play its games in Camping World Stadium.
  • Kissimmee’s Antonio Vargas posted a fourth-round TKO victory over Daniel Coronel at the Caribe Royale in Orlando. Vargas, a 5-foot-5 bantamweight and a 2016 U.S. Olympian, was back in the ring for the first time after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus.
  • Days after Admiral Schofield signed his two-way qualifying offer with the Orlando Magic, the team has filled its other two-way roster slot. The Magic signed Kevon Harris to a two-way contract Monday afternoon, the team announced.
In The News.

  • UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management has once again ranked as the premiere hospitality and tourism program in the nation, as rated by ShanghaiRanking's listing of 500 of the world’s top universities. For the third year in a row, the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 ranked Rosen College’s hospitality program No.1 in the nation and among the top five in the world.
  • Katerina Fedotova, president of Russian Ballet Orlando, inherited the role after her family - Ukrainian Ballet Masters Vadim Fedotov and Irina Depler - founded RBO in 2000 as a nonprofit organization, offering scholarships with funds the city provides. Since then, she decided to help families introduce children to ballet through a free dance program.
  • A West Orange High School graduate, mentor, and area basketball coach said he is continuing his mission to get results and help children in his community make positive choices. Wendell Coates is once again hosting a back-to-school event this weekend to provide families with a fun and positive start to the school year. This Saturday, he’s teaming up with the City of Winter Garden to give away more than 400 backpacks filled with supplies for children in need at Zanders Park.
  • A Clermont farmer is opening up his 7-acre farm once a month to the community. Banks Helfrich is teaching everything he knows about sustainable living, from growing your own food to sourcing your own electricity. So as food prices increase and the area grows, everyone can do their part to help the environment, as well as themselves.
  • Principal Kelly Steinke, who grew up in Apopka is excited to open up the new Kelly Park School. Classrooms are fully decorated and ready to welcome students!
  • Oviedo city leaders are scheduled to discuss possible changes to the redevelopment of the Oviedo Mall. Documents originally showed that owners wanted to redevelop the mall’s property to include hundreds of apartments dedicated to seniors. However, those behind the project now want to remove the age restrictions and open the units to everyone. The plans include a 124-room hotel and mixed-use retail spaces.
  • A new student housing development with 150 units is in the works near the UCF. If approved, the project would feature a five-story building with a maximum height of 60 feet on the property, containing 600 beds across the 150 units planned.
  • Florida’s aerospace agency wants to expand its role from helping companies finance rocket and satellite projects to more directly getting money into the hands of firms seeking to move burgeoning technology to the launch pad. Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello told the agency’s board last week that a goal over the next few years is to allow Space Florida to go from arranging financial incentives to working with a more complex array of relationships.
  • Just a simple game of basketball is creating a positive impact for Marion County. The Belleview International Ballers is an adult league fostering community and outreach. The league now has about 80 members. Local businesses and community leaders are getting in the game.
  • Orange County Public Schools plans to build a new $30 million relief elementary school in southeast Orlando. The district is seeking a construction manager the project slated to be built on a 30-acre property along Luminary Boulevard in Lake Nona. The land also is set to include a $48.5 million relief middle school on 18 of the acres as part of a separate project.
  • A Disney Imagineer just shared a glimpse of what's happening with the new Moana attraction, Journey of Water. Disney's Zach Riddley shared a look at the sort of graphical style that will carry throughout the walkthrough attraction.
  • One hundred and twenty new medical students, including a record number from UCF, received their white coats in recognition of being colleagues in healthcare and pledged to serve their community by becoming “one of The Good Doctors.” UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright told the Class of 2026 M.D. candidates there has never been a better time to be part of Orlando’s young medical school.
  • Central Florida has a new place for families to cool off from the heat. A community splash pad inspired by Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest has opened in Kissimmee – the first for Osceola County. It has 30 water features including a water dump platform and spraying palms, animals and plants.
  • The City of Orlando swore in its latest Fire Chief, formally filling the position left open by the departure of his predecessor. Mayor Buddy Dyer officiated the swearing-in ceremony for Chief Charlie Salazar.
  • From Los Angeles to Orlando, the Chelsea Foundation's community initiatives have reached out far and wide across the full breadth of the United States. In Florida on the final leg of their trip, the Foundation’s coaching team have been working with six Boys and Girls Clubs in the city area, reaching over 400 young people aged between six and 17, in conjunction with Florida Citrus Sports.
  • Florida’s Annual Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday runs until Sunday, August 7, with clothes, school supplies, computers and more sales tax-free for two weeks.
  • Seminole County is bringing health care to its residents with the county’s new Community Paramedicine Program. The goal is to get people the long-term help they need, staying in touch well after they call 911. Every day is different for firefighter paramedics Jason Rappa and Lt. Curt Halcom, but their dedication to the community stays the same.
  • Orange County Government is hosting Free Sandbag Pickup events through Sunday, August 7 for hurricane season preparation. This self-serve sandbag program is limited to Orange County residents, who must present a valid ID to receive up to 10 sandbags per household. Residents must bring their own shovels to fill the bags.
Stay Engaged.

  • Movie Night at the Harry P. Leu Gardens will be showing the Karate Kid. Guests can pack a dinner picnic basket and seating, and alcohol is permitted. This movie is rated PG, children under 13 years of age require an accompanying parent or adult guardian, weather permitting. Tickets are available online starting August 1.
  • Sketching in the Galleries at the Orlando Museum of Art is coming on August 6th! Drawing and sketching supplies will be available for artists of all ages to use. Enjoy an afternoon at the museum and become inspired by artwork in the galleries.
  • Join the Florida Brewers Guild for two days of networking, education, and informative workshops tailored to the Florida craft brewing industry at the fifth annual 2022 Florida Brewers Conference in Orlando, FL. The Florida Brewers Conference will be held at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld Resort .
  • The Bloom’s Boogie Down Block Party will be featuring fresh flowers, small businesses, a cocktail bar, Van Cam photobooth & more! This local market is the perfect way to end your summer on August 10.
  • If you’re looking for something to do each month, there’s a unique bicycle meetup that will get you off the couch, out of your car and moving. It’s called Critical Mass and it’s become a worldwide movement. In Orlando, the community rides bring out hundreds and even thousands of people of all different ages. 
  • HIREpalooza is Central Florida’s premier job fair and career resource, connecting local candidates with Central Florida’s top employers. Through informative career sessions, resume review, supportive resources from community partners, and outstanding local employers, this community hiring event is where talent meets opportunity. It will be held on Friday, August 12 at the Amway Center from 11am-3pm.
  • A city in Florida doesn't need to be on the coast to have a beautiful waterfront. On this art-filled Orlando Scavenger Hunt, make a loop around the city center in search of epic sculptures, iconic buildings and the tranquil sights of Lake Eola. You can do the interactive scavenger hunt at any time to explore the art & culture of Orlando.
  • It's time to count down the 2022 Best Places to Work in Central Florida! See which companies have the best climate, team atmosphere, benefits and most importantly, engaged employees. This event will take place at SeaWorld's Ports of Call Ballroom. All attendees will be given access to the SeaWorld park following the program to stay the rest of the day!
  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins on August 12! Join some of your favorite Disney Characters for an evening of spirited fun, and get your favorite costume ready! Guests can collect candies and treats while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with eerie entertainment, delightful attractions, and some beloved Disney Characters.
  • Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns Friday, August 26 through Sunday, October 2 with 102 restaurants offering three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for $40. Celebrating its 17th year, the popular annual dining program supports area restaurants and donates $1 from every meal served to a local nonprofit organization.
  • The sunshine state just got a bit brighter - this summer, Fun Spot’s Kissimmee and Orlando parks are turning up the heat for Fun in the Sun, now through Sept. 5, 2022! Snap pics at the all-new Foto Spots, explore tropical decor, and take a bite out of seasonal food and beverages, exclusive to the summer season! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick back and have some good, clean FUN.
  • Join the Orlando Business Journal as they recognize Central Florida’s 50 fastest-growing privately owned companies at the annual Fast 50 Luncheon. The luncheon will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on September 8.
  • Downtown gallery CityArts will host a Bridgerton-themed party on Saturday, September 24 at 7 pm as part of its annual La Maschera party series – its largest annual fundraiser. The evening will feature artwork themed on locations from the show as well as live music by Violectric, dancing, interactive character entertainment, photo opportunities, specialized cocktails, food, and more.
  • Like a passport specially for your palate, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a magical taste tour—one that whisks you off on a fun and flavorful journey across six continents. So come sip and savor your way through EPCOT, as you delight in some of your favorite flavors, and try plenty of new ones along the way.
  • Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
  • Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on various vacation packages.

Executive Spotlight.

  • The USTA is looking for a paralegal with exceptional organizational skills and three+ years of experience drafting and reviewing contracts, and intellectual property enforcement, to work in a hybrid/flex environment at the National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. 
In The Community.
Lindsey McBride ran into GOSC board members Casar Lopez and Robb Larson along with Orlando City Soccer Jarrod Dillon and Diego Torres at the Chelsea FC Open practice at Osceola Heritage Park
Kelly Cohen was honored to join leaders in the timeshare industry this morning to moderate an Orlando Resilience Sets the Tone panel featuring Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Jason Siegel, Laureen Martinez Trudell, and Mike Waterman at ARDA's Summer VIP Meeting
President & CEO Jason Siegel with Caesar Lopez and Mark Wilf at Orlando City Soccer’s victory over NY Red Bulls to advance to the US Open Cup Finals
GO Sports was proud to support Board Member, Justin Williams’ inaugural Boujee Ball held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah enjoyed the FC Series match-up of Chelsea vs Arsenal with Orlalndo Mayor Buddy Dyer, Susie Dyer, Orange County Commissioner Uribe, UCF AD Terry Mohajir
GO Sports Senior VP of Corporate Partnerships Michael Kalinich participated in the AJGA's pro-am tournament along with Phil Zeman of SouthState Bank, Roy Schindele of Mission Inn, and fellow board members Rob Sitz of DS Sports Ventures, Jesse Martinez from The Alfond Inn, and Chris Mueller of Hilton Orlando
Watching the action at the FC Series' Chelsea vs Arsenal match with John Kristick at Premier Partnerships, Christian Bruey with PureCycle, UCF's Terry Mohajir and GO Sports board members Chris Mueller from Hilton Orlando, and UCF's Jordan Clark
Sporting events at the Orange County Convention Center are a slam-dunk, and Ohio Basketball 2022 is no exception! This event is estimated to bring more than 24,000 people to the region, netting an economic impact of nearly $31.2M
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the high school football media day for Orange and Osceola Counties hosted at Exploria Stadium by Varsity Sports Network, pictured here with Mark Line from Orlando Sports Foundation, Adam Bates from VSN, and Josh Wilson from FloridaHSFootball.com.
GO Sports hosted our most recent Board Meeting at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Executive committee members Jason Siegel, Caesar Lopez, Chris Carmody, Sharon Line Clary and Paul Johns snuck in a photo op with the one and only Mickey Mouse!
Voice of UCF Marc Daniels hosted a Q&A with UCF Football Coach Gus Malzahn at the most recent GO Sports Board Meeting
Former UCF QB McKenzie Milton was a guest speaker at the most recent GO Sports Board Meeting, discussing his new business Dreamfield, which is in the NIL space
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a recent CFHLA Luncheon with board member and Chief Venues Office of Orlando Venues, Allen Johnson
GO Sports staff Jennifer Lastik, Kyle Sturley, and Shalisa Griffin attending Orlando Pride's Women Winning in Purple event presented by Orlando Health, with many prominent women from Orlando's sports industry also in attendance
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
  • Lake County:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
  • Additional Resources:
  • The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.