“It means the world to our franchise, to our players, our staff, but most importantly to our fans.”

-Mark Wilf, Chairman

Orlando City Soccer Club

See Orlando City story below...

Around The Horn.

• When Orlando City SC completed the transfer of Uruguayan forward Facundo Torres in January, the Lions paid a club-record $7.5 million fee and $1.5 million in bonuses for 100% of his rights. Torres made the major spending all worth it Wednesday night by delivering two goals in the club’s biggest win as host Orlando City defeated Sacramento Republic FC 3-0 in the U.S. Open Cup final. 
• Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the U.S. Open semifinals since 2006 by beating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0), 6-4 behind the backing of a boisterous partisan crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday. Andy Roddick was the last U.S. man to get to the semifinals in New York, when he lost to Roger Fededer in the title match 16 years ago.
• Serena Williams has forever changed how brands see female athletes. Now, as Williams prepares for what she called the “evolution” of her career in a recent Vogue essay announcing her retirement — with hopes to one day run a billion-dollar venture capital fund — she has proof that she can level up and a track record of inspiring brands to give female athletes their due.
• The NFL is making progress on its mission to expand its international business to $1 billion over the next 10 years. The league says it’s been “overwhelmed” by ticket demand for its first regular-season game in Germany on Nov. 13 between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. 
• RAM and Women in Sports Tech (WiST) are announcing their partnership to promote and increase opportunities and representation of women in cycling, including electronics, app development, and engineering. WiST is a nonprofit organization that expands career opportunities and enhances pathways for women in sports tech, at all stages of their careers, from the classroom to the boardroom.

• Red Bull Double or Nothing brings the best wakeboarders in the world to Orlando in a winner-take-all, best trick competition, encouraging each athlete to go big and push the sport to levels never seen before. Wakeboard legend Parks Bonifay is the mastermind behind Red Bull Double or Nothing. The event will be held in downtown Orlando at Lake Ivanhoe on September 17, and is open to spectators to watch from Gaston Edwards Park, completely free of charge.
• The Major League Baseball Players Association is joining the AFL-CIO in an effort to strengthen its position in the aftermath of one labor struggle and in the midst of another. Executive director Tony Clark made the announcement Wednesday alongside AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler during an event at the National Press Club, discussing the MLBPA's attempt to unionize minor leaguers following a nearly
• UK broadcast audiences for women’s sport have doubled from 2021 to 2022, according to new figures from the Women’s Sport Trust. The research found that 36.1 million people watched women’s sport on TV between January and July this year, up from 17.5 million in the equivalent period in 2021. 
• The Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, will be hosting a local player tryout in Winter Haven on September 18 at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse, and in Orlando on September 25, at the RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club. Local player tryouts provide athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of Lakeland Magic coaches and basketball staff. 
• Serena Williams will never be forgotten. Especially by ESPN, which reaped huge TV ratings for the tennis legend’s likely farewell run in the U.S. Open. What could have been the 23-time Grand Slam winner’s swan song generated the most-watched tennis telecast in ESPN’s 43-year history on Friday night, averaging 4.6M viewers. 
• Congratulations to the 2022 class of honorees for this year's Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute! The luncheon is being held on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at UCF's Addition Financial Arena and will include a fireside chat with featured speaker presented by Florida Blue, Jennifer Rizzotti, President of the Connecticut Sun WNBA team. Click here to read more about the 2022 honorees, and click here to purchase a table or individual tickets to the luncheon. 
• Women in Sports Leadership Award
• Sharon Line Clary, AdventHealth
• Katie Stocz Miller, Orlando Magic & WISE Greater Orlando
• Amy Wise, 2022 Special Olympics USA Games
• Rising Star Award
• Ali Anderson, Orlando Magic
• WISE Women of Inspiration Award
• Jessica West, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride & Exploria Stadium

In The News.

• Looking for a job? Addition Financial Arena is looking for outgoing individuals that love entertainment, sports, and other exciting events for a number of positions here at the arena. Visit the arena lobby from 2pm-5pm on Tuesday, Sept. 13 to learn more about available positions in Guest Services, Building Services, and Operations! 
• The University of Central Florida in Orlando is No. 5 among Florida's best colleges in 2023, according to the latest report by Pittsburgh-based ranking and review company Niche. The Best Colleges list is ranked on analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data collected by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Orange County Animal Services said it plans to give away “several tons” of pet food Sunday during a drive-through event at a county facility on Econlockhatchee Trail in East Orange. The event will begin 9 a.m. at the South Econ Recreation Center. Visitors will be allowed to take away two bags of food, first-come, first-served.
• The City of Orlando is working on a plan to create more activities for seniors in the area. The city’s Livable Orlando Age-Friendly Action Plan focuses on ways to help older residents feel just as engaged in the town as younger people. Some areas they are focusing on include outdoor spaces, housing, mobility, and social interaction.

• University of Central Florida President Alexander Cartwright and global giant Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan will join Thursday for a high-level forum at UCF on the use of hydrogen as a means to fight climate change. The leadoff speaker is a U.S. Department of Energy acting assistant secretary. 
• Walt Disney World has shared a first look at a new store set to open at the new state-of-the-art Terminal C at Orlando International Airport.The new store is expected to open on Sept. 19, the same day as the terminal’s opening.
• A group of about 750 members will join the Learning Institute for Elders at UCF. These students, who are 50 years and older and are passionate about lifelong learning, no matter their age. The group will hear about groundbreaking research and other topics from UCF faculty, national experts and international experts.
• Art has a new home in Winter Park with the opening of The Gallery 32789, a name that pays homage to the city’s primary ZIP code, on Park Avenue.
• Former UCF football player Aaron Evans returned to the Bounce House to start his sixth mural at UCF, continuing to spread positivity through art.

• Congratulations to our corporate partner Icon Park on being named the Best I-Drive Attraction in Orlando Weekly's "2022 Best of Orlando" edition.
• Congratulations to GO Sports Board Member Didier Menard, VP/South Region Director of Government Affairs for Jacobs, who was named an honoree in Onyx Magazine's 2022 Men of Honor.

Stay Engaged.

• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering a discount on admission for Central Florida residents in select counties. As part of the complex’s new Mercury Offer, residents of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties can get a one-day ticket for $19 + tax for adults or $14 + tax for children 3-11, from Sept. 12-18.
• The YMCA of Central Florida will be inviting residents to try their facilities free of charge in September as part of a new initiative. Free Fridays will take place every Friday during the month of September and will allow residents to visit any and all YMCA locations in the region for no charge.
• 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.
• ICON Park is preparing to welcome families to its first annual Oktoberfest celebration. Starting Sept. 16, the entertainment complex will offer special beer, food and entertainment for families to enjoy.
• Gatorland is offering a special ticket deal that will get Florida children in free through the end of the month, the theme park announced. Now through Sept. 30, Florida residents will receive half-off single day admissions and one free child admission (ages 3 to 12) with each paying adult.
• Fairy Doors are back through October 31 at Leu Gardens! The exhibit features twenty, one-of-a-kind, whimsical fairy doors which will inspire your child’s imaginative world of enchanted forests, secret gardens and the magic of fairies. Each door is created by a very special fairy and all you have to do is find these beautiful doors located throughout the 50-acre gardens.

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has already begun! Join 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.
• Universal Orlando has announced the final details for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 31, revealing all the houses, zones, and shows guests can experience at the event, taking place on select nights from September 2 thru October 31, 2022.

• At the Taste of South Lake & Business Expo, you can enjoy an evening out on November 3, at Clermont’s Waterfront Park, complete with food tasting from more than 30 local restaurants, and business samplings from more than 30 local business leaders.
• 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 vacation packages as well as a free day at the theme park through December as part of a limited time bargain. Florida residents who snap up a '2-park, 2-day' ticket to Universal between now and Sept. 28 can get a third, free day as part of their purchase.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Executive VP Jennifer Lastik joined Orange County's Jeff Williamson and Eric Ushkowitz and OEP's Nicholas Abrahams, along with countless other community partners for a preview of Orlando International Airport's new Terminal C building that will be opening soon

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, joined Mayor Dyer, the DeVos family, Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins, and countless other partners for the Grand Opening of the Orlando Magic's new state of the art AdventHealth Training Center

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Orlando City SC's Open Cup championship celebration at City Hall today, pictured here with Marlin Hutchins from the Tampa Tarpons

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Orlando City SC's Jarrod Dillon, President of Business Operations, celebrated Orlando City SC's Open Cup victory on Wednesday evening

Fun & Games.

• Pictures: Orlando City SC celebrates Open Cup win at Orlando's City Hall
• Orlando 2022-23 Arts Season Preview: Concert & Comedy Tours
• Indoor Activities in Orlando
• Fall Events in Orlando: Food, Festivities & Halloween Fun