The 2013 Orlando City Soccer Club season was the club's third season of existence in Orlando. Orlando finished second in the overall regular-season table. They were declared 2013 USL Pro Champions after beating Charlotte Eagles 7–4 in front of 20,886 fans at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl.
In supporter news, the two largest supporters groups—The Ruckus, and the Iron Lion Firm—announced on November 18, 2012, that they were beginning discussions regarding the unification of the team's supporters groups.[5]
Orlando City played a friendly against A.S. Roma of the Italian top-flight league Serie A on January 2, 2013. Roma was in town on a training visit to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Roma won the match, 5–0.[6]
On February 15, 2013, the team announced that Fifth Third Bank had purchased naming rights to the stadium for Orlando City matches. The Citrus Bowl will be called Fifth Third Bank Field at the Citrus Bowl during Orlando City matches.[10]
The derby, referred to as the I-4 Derby after the road that connects the cities, was won by Orlando City, who took 3–2 victories in both matches, on March 9 in Orlando and March 30 in St. Petersburg. Additionally, the Lions also beat the Rowdies, 2–0, when they met in the 7th place game of the 2013 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic on February 23.
Source: USL Pro official standings Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record)
Qualification for the U.S. Open Cup began in November 2012 in the fifth tier. The format will be similar to the 2012 tournament, but with the two lowest-ranked USL Pro teams and two expansion USL Pro teams starting in the first round, and the remaining USL Pro teams (including Orlando City and NASL teams entering in the second round. On June 12, Orlando City reached the Quarterfinals, the farthest round ever reached in team history and the farthest USL Pro team in 2013, guaranteeing a $15,000 prize.
* = Denotes players who were retained after the move of the Austin Aztex FC organization to form Orlando City S.C. † = Denotes players on loan through USL Pro-MLS Reserve League alliance ‡ = Retired as of May 30[14]
Transfers
In
Out
John Rooney was signed by Barnsley F.C. on a free transfer after his contract with Orlando City for the 2012 season expired. There was a slight delay because of some concern that he was still under contract on 31 August.[15][16]
Yann Songo'o, on loan from Sporting Kansas City via the USL Pro-MLS Reserve League alliance[8][9] Songo'o departed the team on June 28, 2013, when Sporting Kansas City released him from his contract.[18]
Dom Dwyer, on loan from Sporting Kansas City via the USL Pro-MLS Reserve League alliance[8][9] Dwyer was recalled on June 27, 2013.[19] Sporting Kansas City loaned Dwyer back for the 2013 USL Pro Championship.[20]
Kevin Ellis, on loan from Sporting Kansas City via the USL Pro-MLS Reserve League alliance[22] Ellis was briefly recalled by Sporting for a single match on July 12, then returned to Orlando.[23]
Loan out
Media
For the 2013 season, all matches will stream live on the USL Nation website using the stadium feed. Occasional matches will appear on Bright House Sports Network, with USL Nation using that feed when available. Some home matches can be heard on the radio as well, either 740 the Game or 102.5/107.7-HD2 WLOQ.
