Thoughts On Attending The U.S. Women’s National Team Friendly

Kelly Christine Delaney is back On the Go to share her thoughts on the International Friendly match with U.S. Women’s National Team vs Brazil to be played this Sunday, November 10th, at the Citrus Bowl.

Soccer, it isn’t for everyone, I get it. “It’s slow” “It’s boring” “How can it end in a tie?” are all things I hear from non-soccer fans. While some aren’t open to trying the sport, I find that anyone who is open to watching a game will usually try a game involving the US national team before an MLS game. I recommend that if you’re in the Orlando area this weekend you should go and see the 2012 gold medal US national team.

Florida Citrus Bowl
United States (USA) starting XI. The women’s national team of the United States defeated the Korea Republic 5-0 during an international friendly at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, on June 20, 2013.

For years I didn’t get to see a sport I enjoyed in person played professionally more than once a year until a few years ago when my hometown gained an MLS franchise. Nowadays I spend a fair amount of my year traveling to see my MLS team, the Philadelphia Union,  and the U.S. National Teams play across the country, and I’m having so much fun every chance I get to see soccer played live.

U.S.Women's National Team

I saw the U.S. Women’s National Team, USWNT, play last May before they left for the Olympics. It was a great family friendly crowd that enjoyed seeing some of the biggest stars in the world win a game. The supporters groups (dedicated fans that chant and sing for the whole game) were there in force and helped create an exciting atmosphere despite it being an international friendly. The team was very gracious after the match and signed autographs and took pictures for the fans that came out. I saw many children leave with excited stories of meeting women they looked up to. It was an awesome experience.

MLS is days away from confirming Orlando as the 21st franchise. In this exciting time for soccer in Orlando, I recommend heading down to the U.S. Women’s National Team match to meet local soccer supporters and see what the central Florida soccer community is all about.

Tickets for the U.S. Women’s National Team vs Brazil at the Citrus Bowl on November 10th are still available here!

 

We can’t wait to share our experience on Sunday, so make sure you’re following us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all the fun!

 

And if you’re at the match, make sure to tweet us @onthegoinmco and say hi!!!

U.S. Women's National Team

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Amway Center: Tampa Bay Lightning Ticket Giveaway

Amway Center Tampa Bay Lightning

{Sponsored Post}

Amway Center: Tampa Bay Lightning

Preseason Ticket Giveaway!

The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming to the Amway Center, and will open the preseason with games on four consecutive nights beginning at the Amway Center on September 18.

During that stretch they will also play at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on two occasions while also visiting the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Bolts will then have a few days before taking on the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Tuesday, September 24. They will then move south to take on the Panthers at Germain Arena in Estero, FL (Ft. Myers area) before finishing off the preseason in Sunrise, Florida against the Panthers on Saturday, September 28.

This season will mark the second time the Lightning will play a preseason game at Amway Center. More recently, Tampa Bay made the drive across I-4 to Orlando on September 21, 2011 to take on St. Louis. The Blues won the game, 4-3. This will mark the fifth time in franchise history the team will play a preseason game at Germain Arena in Estero, home to the Lightning’s ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades. Tampa Bay is 0-3-1 all-time at Germain Arena, most recently playing to a 3-3 tie against the Carolina Hurricanes on September 24, 2002. The team also spent a portion of their 2012-13 training camp at Germain Arena.

Amway Center Tampa Bay Lightning

Tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning game are available now, and are $10, $15, $25, $40, $50, $75, and $150. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling, and facility fee charges.

SPECIAL OFFER!!!!

You can get 50% off of select Tampa Bay Lightning tickets with the offer code ‘WIN’ using this link! This offer ends Wednesday, September 11 at 10:00 pm so don’t wait to get your tickets!

Door opening times for the Amway Center vary according to each event. Guests may enter the arena one hour prior to the start time of each event, unless otherwise specifically noted. Guests may check door times in advance by calling 407.440.7900.

It’s always good to check the Amway Center Camera Policies change from event to event. For the Tampa Bay Lightning game you can bring on-flash, still cameras, may be used to take pictures of sporting events or events where house lights are illuminated during a performance. Cameras with detachable lenses longer than six (6) inches are prohibited from all Amway Center sporting events. Tripods or other photography equipment may not be used or admitted without building issued media credentials. Check amwaycenter.com or call the administration office at 407.440.7000 prior to the event for any camera policy updates.

We will be there brining you tweets and pictures from the game, but you could be there with us!

Entering the contest is extremely easy with Rafflecopter and there are even ways to enter the contest every day!

The contest starts today, and ends at 12:00 am on September 9, 2013!

There are few things to keep in mind when you’re entering the contest!

  • We will be giving away two (2) tickets to see the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida on September 18, 2013 at 7:00 pm.
  • I will contact the winner by email, and the winner will have 24 hours to respond that they would like to still attend the game. If the winner does not respond or if they do not want to go for some reason, another winner will be chosen.
  • Winners must be 18 and older and you will need to present ID to pick up your tickets at the Amway Center Box Office.
  • Please note that these tickets do not include parking at the Amway Center.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Through our partnership with the Amway Center, I was given tickets to attend the game and tickets to offer with this giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

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Orlando City SC Lions Draws Against Dutch Lions

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review

Dayton Equalizes Late, Orlando Grabs Point Away From Home

Hard-fought away match consisting of seven bookings results in road point for Lions

Orlando City SC (11-2-5, 38 points) played to a 3-3 draw against the Dayton Dutch Lions (7-4-6, 27 points) Sunday night at Beavercreek High School Stadium in Beavercreek, Ohio. Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer) loanee and MLS 2011 Rookie of the Year C.J. Sapong scored his first goal for the Lions in the second half to put the Lions up 3-2, but Orlando was unable to hold off a late Dayton rally to end the match at 3-3.

Orlando notched the first score of the match in the 24th minute, with Forward Dennis Chin knocking in a loose ball in front of Dayton Goalkeeper Matthew Williams to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. After the ball was previously scooped up by Williams, Chin refused to give up on the play- knocking in fumbled possession by the goalkeeper for the early lead.

The Dutch Lions responded later on in the first half, with Dayton Midfielder Shintaro Harada equalizing in the 35th minute of play. After a pass in by the Dutch Lions, an unlucky rebound found Harada, who blasted his attempt past Sporting Kansas City loanee and Goalkeeper Jon Kempin for the goal.

Orlando wasn’t done with scoring in the first half, with a well played give-and-go between James O’Connor and loanee C.J. Sapong resulting in the Lions’ second goal of the evening. After receiving a pass in the midfield, O’Connor made a run on the left side of the pitch, finding Sapong in the heart of the Dutch Lions defense. Sapong immediately fed it back to O’Connor behind the Dayton backline, with the midfielder converting for the 2-1 lead.

Orlando City SC
Photo : Alex Schierholtz

Dayton’s Shintaro Harada, who was shown a yellow card for a tactical foul in the 42nd minute, was given his second at the start of the second half for the Dutch Lions after the same type of professional takedown – putting the home side down to a disadvantage of 10 men for the rest of the match.

Despite the man down, Dayton equalized off of a penalty kick in the 59th minute. A handball was called on the Orlando backline inside the 18-yard box, awarding the penalty opportunity. Dutch Lion Joel DeLass took the opportunity in the 57th minute, with it being called back due to early movement on the home team side. DeLass calmly converted the second attempt a minute later, tying the match at 2-2.

The Lions answered with a penalty conversion of their own, with Sapong scoring his first goal for Orlando in the 66th minute. Dutch Lion Goalkeeper Williams fumbled a long ball played in, pushing off Sapong as the forward attempted to take away possession. The 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year slotted it past Williams, giving Orlando the 3-2 advantage.

Dayton’s final goal occurred in the 89th minute, with a well-played volley from substitute Brandon Swartzendruber beating Kempin in the upper right hand corner to tie the match at 3-3. Despite a few late chances by Orlando, the match ended at the same 3-3 scoreline.

Orlando continues play on the road this Wednesday, July 17, against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium. The two squads have yet to meet in 2013, with the Lions holding a 2-0-2 record all time against the Riverhounds. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. EST. For more information on the upcoming away game in Pittsburgh and Orlando’s next home game on Saturday, July 20, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com.

Orlando City SC Match Recap:

Team                      1    2    Final

Orlando City              2    1    3

Dayton Dutch Lions        1    2    3

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Dennis Chin (unassisted) 24th

DDL- Shintaro Harada (unassisted) 35th

ORL- James O’Connor (C.J. Sapong) 43rd

DDL- Joel Delass (penalty) 59th

ORL- C.J. Sapong (penalty) 66th

DAY- Brandon Swartzendruber (unassisted) 88th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin; D Renan Boufleur, Rob Valentino, Erik Ustruck, Luke Boden; M James O’Connor, Anthony Pulis, Adama Mbengue, Jamie Watson (Jonathan Mendoza 55’); F C.J. Sapong, Dennis Chin (Long Tan 61’)

Dayton- GK Matthew Williams, D Taylor Lord, Brock Granger (Eric Kissinger 77’), Gregory Preciado, Shane Smith (Remco Kiaasse 46’), M Joel DeLass, Shintaro Harada, Irakll Khutsidze (Joseph Broekhulzen 85’), F Tjeerd Westdijk, Gibson Bardsley (Joseph Madigan 64’), Thomas Garner (Brandon Swartzendruber 88’)

Penalty Summary:

DDL- Shintaro Harada-42nd (Yellow)

DDL- Shintaro Harada-47th  (2nd Yellow/Red)

DDL- Matthew Williams- 66th (Yellow)

DDL- Brock Granger- 74th (Yellow)

ORL- Rob Valentino- 75th (Yellow)

ORL- Anthony Pulis- 86th (Yellow)

DDL- Tjeerd Westdijk- 90th (Yellow)

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 6:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Clear

Orlando City Soccer 

 About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit OrlandoCitySoccer.com and OrlandoCityYouth.org.

 

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Goals in 87th, 90th Minutes Lift Orlando City Lions To 2-0 Victory

Orlando City

Orlando City Lions undefeated in last 25 regular season home matches

Behind 87th and 90th minute goals by Jamie Watson and Dom Dwyer, Orlando City (10-1-2, 32 points) topped visiting Antigua Barracuda FC (0-10-0, 0 points) 2-0 Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The win marked the 25th consecutive regular season home match without defeat, dating back to June of 2011.

The Lions controlled possession early on, with the team adjusting to a lineup that featured 10 different starters from Friday night’s 2-0 win over the visiting Phoenix FC. Players including Defenders Justin Clark and Brian Fekete, along with former Orlando City U23s defensive stalwart Oumar Diakhite, made their first starts of the 2013 season- getting valuable minutes under their belts against Antigua.

Orlando City
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida

Early chances by Midfielders Adama Mbengue and Assistant Coach/Midfielder Ian Fuller loosened up the Antigua backline toward the middle of the first half, with the Lions gaining more chances as the match went on. Mbengue and Fuller both had attempts ring off the right-hand post, coming dangerously close to the back of the net. The chances continued to mount for Orlando, but despite the increased pressure the clubs went into halftime tied 0-0.

League-leading scorer Dom Dwyer, Forward Long Tan and Midfielder Jamie Watson came in after the break to give the Lions a spark up front, looking to get by the Antigua backline. After chipping away and earning continued chances, Orlando finally got their chance with three minutes left to play in regulation.

Orlando City
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida

Former Portland Timber Midfielder Freddie Braun was making a turn in the 18-yard box in the 86th minute, only for Barracuda Defender Dublin George to trip Braun- awarding Orlando the penalty. Watson converted in the bottom-left corner past Goalkeeper Molvin James, putting the Lions up 1-0. The penalty conversion marked the second straight game in which Watson converted an attempt and his seventh goal of the season.

The Lions weren’t done, with Watson finding Dwyer on a well-played ball past the Antigua defense, with the striker scoring his 15th of the season in the 90th. The conversion extended Dwyer’s single-season record of goals in a USL PRO season, which he broke on Friday in the team’s win over Phoenix.

Orlando City
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida

Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who saw his first regular season start since an April 19th match against the LA Blues, played the full 90 minutes Sunday night behind a steady Orlando backline. The 0-0 draw was the Kansas native’s first shutout in purple colors since coming on loan at the beginning of the season.

Tonight’s win marked the 25th consecutive match the Lions have been undefeated in USL PRO regular season play at home, dating back to the team’s inaugural season in June of 2011 (Antigua). The Lions are 7-0-0 at home in 2013, scoring 25 goals while only allowing six at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Head Coach Adrian Heath looked past the three points after the match, saying the team needs to improve and was not impressed with the club’s play.

“We were pathetic,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I feel sorry for the supporters who came out and watched that performance. I’ve learned an awful lot about a lot of people today.”

Orlando enters into the fourth round of the US Open Cup this Wednesday, June 12, in Kansas City, Kansas, against Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Sporting Kansas City. The Lions topped the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on May 28 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, marking the first time in franchise history the club has beaten an MLS club in the US Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST.

The four players on loan from SKC, including Dom Dwyer, Jon Kempin, Christian Duke and Yann Songo’o, will be unavailable for selection on Wednesday. For more information on Wednesday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.

Orlando City
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida

Orlando City Match Recap

Team                      1    2    Final

Orlando City              0    2    2

Antigua Barracuda FC      0    0    0

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Jamie Watson (penalty) 87th

ORL- Dom Dwyer (Jamie Watson) 90th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Erik Ustruck, Oumar Diakhite, Justin Clark, Brian Fekete (Bryan Burke 66’), M Adama Mbengue (Jamie Watson 53’), Christian Duke, Ian Fuller (Dom Dwyer 46’), Freddie Braun, Jonathan Mendoza, F Dennis Chin (Long Tan 53’)

Antigua Barracuda FC- Molvin James, Dublin George, Karanja Mack, Mervyn Hazelwoord, Hazeley Pyle, Lawson Robinson, Orlando Mitchum (Alex Phillip 74’), Toric Robinson, Andre Manders (Eugine Kirwan 31’), Randolph Burton, Tamorley Thomas

Penalty Summary:

ANT- Eugine Kirwan (Yellow) 68’

Match Facts:

Time of Match: 7:30 p.m. EST

Weather: Clear/Cloudy

Attendance: 6,187

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.

 

 

 

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Disney Sports Solutions At ESPN Wide World Of Sports

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Playing in a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort is a dream come true for many athletes, and getting there is often a labor of love for Team Parents! Disney Sports Solutions helps make the process so much easier! From fundraising support to photography to custom event merchandise, they have help for you and your team.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Gene Kousoulas, Head Coach of Tappan Zee Softball Team, has brought several teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex over the years, and always looks forward to returning.

“The team is always excited to be traveling away from New York, and the fields at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are always great” say Kousoulas.

Mr. Kousoulas also encourages teams to communicate as much as they can with their Disney Travel Coordinators, because they are there to help and are always ready with solutions.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Marybeth our host for the Team Mom Disney Sports Solutions Breakfast.

At a Team Mom Breakfast held in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, Marybeth, a specialized Cast Member, helped several Team Moms whose teams were playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex get to know some of the facilities and services offered at the Complex better. Also, they held some pretty great giveaways that were special bonuses for the teams.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Fun Team Mom Breakfast Goodies

The first thing that Marybeth introduced us to was the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is really the heart and soul of the ESPN Wide World of Sports. It is centrally located in the Complex, and is available to help in any way that they can. At the Welcome Center you’ll find Cast Members who are solutions oriented with extensive training in Sports Travel, Guest Relations, and Event Planning. If you have questions about what to do before and after your competition,  this is your one stop for purchasing Disney Theme Park Tickets, making Disney Dining Reservations, finding Recreation Options, Golf Reservations, Planning Celebration Events, and Transportation Tips just to name a few.

If you are out on the fields and need information, help is never too far from even the outermost field! Welcome Center Cast Members are always at the fields and for larger events there are mobile stations set-up around the complex.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
The Welcome Center is an amazing tool for teams visiting the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex!

There are several dining options at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, but for busy teams on the go there are several ways to make sure that your team is fueled with healthy food that doesn’t take away from their time at the Complex. The first option available is box breakfasts and lunches. These meals are made fresh daily ($6.99 per breakfast and $7.99 per lunch), can be ordered online prior to arrival, are customizable for team members with allergies, and most importantly can be delivered directly to the field where you are playing.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Box lunches being distributed at ESPN Wide World of Sports fields.

We got to have a breakfast box during the Team Mom Breakfast, and it was a good amount of food that was great fuel for the day. However, you can also have pizzas delivered to your field, there are several quick service options, and there is always the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Our Box Breakfast was a great way to start the morning.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a quick-service restaurant located near the entrance of the Complex. The Grill is perfect for large groups, and is a high energy environment with six HD displays playing sports and sports news, a full-service bar, and even a replica of the ESPN SportsCenter Desk for fun photo opportunities for your team! My favorite feature is the bank of Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines…but I am a sucker for Cherry Coke!!!

ESPN Wide World of Sports Gameday Photos provides teams with photo solutions that are extremely unique and high quality!

 ESPN Wide World of Sports
Josh Shortened is one of the Gameday Photographers at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

The Gameday Photos photographers are highly trained to catch just the right moment in your athlete’s game, and are available for individual or team pictures. The best part of the Gameday Photography is that once you purchase the CD of images, which are guaranteed to have at least 150 photos, the rights to those pictures are yours and you can print out and share them as much as you can with friends and family!

If you want to take part in this really personal photography experience, you will want to make arrangements in advance. It is also important to know that the sessions are pre-paid and scheduled by the game, however there are multiple game discounts available. Individual Gameday Photos start at $99 for a single game and Team Gameday Photos start at $169 for a single game.

Events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are recorded and broadcasted in several different ways to really make athletes feel like they have really made it to the big leagues!

The dedicated video department at Wide World of Sports is truly a Disney-Sized ESPN with a control room, editing bays, and bustling camera operators. It is truly an amazing thing to see!

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Inside the Broadcast Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Parents, coaches, and athletes are able to watch game highlights on a channel 25 in their Walt Disney World Resort hotel room, often games are broadcasted live on ESPN3.com, and highlights are shown on various ESPN platforms such as ESPN.com, ESPN2, and SportsCenter.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Information, live event coverage, and more are featured on screens all over ESPN Wide World of Sports.

Sharing your video highlights with friends and family at home is also easy, because ESPN Wide World of Sports makes some event games available on their YouTube channel and their Facebook Page.

The Custom Tee Center by Champion® is a way to customize your experience at the ESPN Wide World of Sports! After purchasing an event or customizable t-shirt, visit the Custom Tee Center by Champion® to really make the shirt your own. With more than 50 designs available to commemorate your accomplishments, the Center located inside the entrance to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a must-do in the Complex!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

A visit to the Playstation® Pavilionis a great way to keep the game going! These seventeen PS3™ systems on 40-inch HDTVs are fully stocked with new game titles. The cost to play is $5 per 30 minutes, and is a fun way to wind down from an exciting event.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Business Center coming soon, and will provide access to computers, printers, charging stations, etc, for those busy parents and coaches who want to communicate about their team’s competition through email, websites, social media, and keep up with their careers while on the road.

The Disney Parks Mom’s Panel is a great way to get pre-arrival planning advice from two ESPN Wide World of Sports Specialists. These Mom’s Panel members provide team moms and coaches with tips, advice and direction to make their youth sports travel easier.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
The Hess Fields were busy with the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout

I got to speak with Angie Gregg from Hummelstown, PA, whose daughters love Disney and have competed in several soccer tournaments, and even won the Disney’s President Day Festival in February 2012, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports!

Angie’s family loves how they can add extra days on to their team stay to make these tournaments into vacation opportunities for the whole family. She also encourages Team Moms to play a year ahead for their fundraising events to ensure that as many team members as possible can make the journey for this amazing sports opportunity.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports team understands how important Fundraising is to teams, and offers a wide variety of Fundraising Assistance Programs.

The Dream Team Donation Program – Teams are given the opportunity to raffle off a Disney vacation as well as keep 75% of proceeds from raffle ticket sales. Teams also have the opportunity to sell ESPN The Magazine subscriptions and keep 75% of all profits. And a rebate program with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent A Car which allows a team to earn fundraising dollars by gaining 5% of every rental car purchase through the team’s fundraiser site

ESPN Wide World of Sports
Baseball in Champion Stadium are always exciting.

Equipment Drop-off is a really great service that ESPN Wide World of Sports offers! Coaches can drop off their team’s equipment at the front of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and it will be delivered to the team’s field of play.

Little Champions program offers fun games and activities available on-site for younger siblings, freeing parents and coaches up so they can stay focus on the competition.

With so many great Disney Sports Solutions, beautiful grounds, and helpful Cast Members at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex it is easy to see why it is a premier sporting destination that you will definitely want to check out!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

 

 

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ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Overview

Many of us see the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and think of it as the place where we pick up our RunDisney Race Packets or where the Atlanta Braves hold their Spring Training each year, but this often overlooked part of the Walt Disney World Resort plays home to much, much more!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Walking past the globe and up to the gates, you find yourself immersed into a world of sports…no pun intended. But it is really amazing to see so many talented kids and adults in one place playing the games they love!

When you first walk up to the complex, you will notice that there is a large Box Office where you can purchase your tickets for events at the complex. It is important to note that guests, who are not athletes or coaches participating in an event, require paid admission for entrance.  General admission prices for Adults (Ages 10+) $16.00 and Children (Ages 3-9) $11.00, and for many events length-of-event admission tickets are available. Also Premium and Special Events may require additional charges. If you are planning on visiting the complex for a specific event, you can go to the ESPN Wide World of Sports site, and search by event for ticket options.

The one thing that totally blew my mind when I visited the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is just how many venues they have for almost any sport imaginable!

ESPN Wide World of Sports
The Hess Fields were busy with the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout

The first thing I think of when I think of ESPN Wide World of Sports, is their fields, all 28 of them, that feature surfaces for signature sports. For baseball, there is the Baseball Quadraplex which is home to four professional sized fields and one practice field. Fields 7 and 9 are more versatile grass playing surfaces for soccer. In Diamondplex 10-15 you will find baseball and fastpitch softball fields. While the Hess® Fields 16-30 feature versatile grass playing surfaces for sports including soccer, baseball, field hockey, and lacrosse.

Champion® Stadium is Disney’s Big League Stadium, and is home to the Atlanta Braves Spring Training. This stadium is also used for baseball and fastpitch softball. It is a great stadium! It’s just the right size to make you feel like you are at a big-time game, while still having the fun and intimate feeling that is so unique to MLB Spring Training!

ESPN Wide World of Sports
The HP Field House is where you will also find the larger spectator sports.

The HP Field House is a multi-sport facility; they have even laid down ice for ice skating competitions and ice hockey games! But mostly you will find the HP Field House playing host to cheer, basketball, and volleyball competitions.

The Jostens® Center is another multi-sport facility, and where the RunDisney Expo and Race Packet Pick-Up are usually held. The day I visited ESPN Wide World of Sports, it was host to 6 basketball courts for the AAU Basketball Tournament. It is a HUGE facility that is also home to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill and Custom Tee Center by Champion®.

The New Balance Track and Field Complex is a Premier competition and training facility for state, national, and international events. If you ran in the Run Disney Tower of Terror 10-miler, this is where the Haunted Mansion Grave Diggers were waiting for us.

And finally, at the Tennis Complex you will find ten clay courts, including a stadium court! These courts can accommodate anything from a youth clinic to a professional tournament.

If you think that getting around the ESPN Wide World of Sports would be confusing and overwhelming you would be wrong!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

With the Welcome Center conveniently located in the heart of the complex, you are never far from help! In the Welcome Center, you will find Cast Members who are extremely knowledgeable about not only the Complex but all of the Walt Disney World Resort. You can do anything from finding event information to purchasing tickets (even for La Nouba) to help scheduling large group reservations and activities. And if you happen to be far away from the Welcome Center, there are several mobile units and Cast Members deployed to fields around the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

ESPN Wide World of Sports also makes use of video displays throughout the complex. There are also four screen hubs, where four large LED monitors show you event highlights, information, weather, and general information about the complex. These hubs are soooo useful, and if you are lucky you might even catch your team featured in the highlights!

Also, for events you will find maps where you least expect to find them…on the ground giving you an easy way to find your field or venue!

ESPN Wide World of Sports

If you want to grab a bite to eat, you have a ton of options!

The most fun option is that you can have pizza delivered to your field. Seriously…how cool is that???

You will also find a mobile ESPN Food Truck where you can buy anything from a snack to a beer, and when the Complex is really busy you will even find local food trucks!

Also, inside of the HP® Field House there is an almost mini-food court with several options available.

But if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, you may want to visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill. You’ll find Burgers, Salads, sandwiches, and even a full service bar to relax in after a fun event. They have coke freestyle machines inside the Grill, which is always a fun bonus!

ESPN Wide World of Sports
The full service bar at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.

There are also three really unique offerings at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

The first is the Custom Tee Center by Champion® where you can customize an event T-shirt with more than 50 designs available to commemorate your accomplishment or you can design your own shirt, like I did! This is a really cool area of ESPN Wide World of Sports, and one that you definitely don’t just want to pass by! I opted to make a shirt that was perfect for training for my upcoming RunDisney races, but there were tons of other shirt styles and designs I could have chosen from. For me, the best part is that the shirts are ready in a snap (mine was ready in about 30 minutes) and if you can’t pick up your shirt until the next day they make sure it stays safe until you can come and get it from the Tee Center.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

The second really amazing service offered at ESPN Wide World of Sports is the Gameday Photo Experience. Here you can view your Gameday Photos, create custom photo keepsakes, and take amazing green screen pictures. You can even make posters and fully personalized ESPN The Magazine covers. The quality of these photo products are incredibly high and they are produced with little to no turnaround. It really is perfect for the hectic schedule of sporting events.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Also, you will find the PlayStation Pavilion where athletes between and after games can wind down by playing the ultimate PS3® gaming experience. There is an additional charge to use this area, but it is a great way to bring a team together or celebrate a big win!

As you can see, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is much more than what meets the eye and I can’t wait to share more about teams can make the most of their time at the Complex and how to make sure you don’t miss any great opportunities to visit.

ESPN Wide World of Sports

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Orlando City SC Advance to Third Round of US Open Cup

Orlando City Lions Advance To Third Round

of US Open Cup, Top PDL’s Ocala 2-1

Orlando City

Club to host Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids on Tuesday, May 28, at Fifth Third Bank at the Florida Citrus Bowl

Behind one goal in the first and second halves, Orlando City SC advanced past the PDL’s Ocala Stampede 2-1 Tuesday night in Ocala, Fla., at Forest High School. With the win, the Lions will host Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Colorado Rapids next Tuesday, May 28, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

“I thought our first half performance was very good,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “We gifted them (Ocala) a goal in the second half and let them back in the game. But at the end of the day we bring the Rapids to Orlando next week and it will be a good game for us.”

Orlando City

The Lions came out on the attack to begin the match, with league-leading scorer Dom Dwyer nearly converting chances early on, including a bicycle kick in the 20th minute of play. The Sporting Kansas City loanee and the Lions frontline continued to press, with it paying off just past the halfway point of the first half.

After an Ocala throw-in, Defender Erik Ustruck took away control from the Stampede, passing his attempt into the box where an Ocala defender knocked a deflection to Dwyer. The striker then lobbed the deflection up and over Goalkeeper Lex Craggs, putting Orlando up 1-0.

Orlando City

Just after the second half began, the Lions went up 2-0 after an Adama Mbengue strike in the 50th minute. The midfielder found space just inside the 18-yard box, blasting a low strike past the Ocala defense and into the lower-right corner for the two-goal advantage. 

Ocala responded with a goal of their own in the 58th minute, with Midfielder Christian Blandon converting a score after Orlando Goalkeeper Jon Kempin made two diving saves in a penalty situation. The Stampede were awarded a penalty after Kempin took down an Ocala striker inside the box, with the Sporting KC loanee making two saves initially- only for Blandon to secure the follow up and cut the lead down to 2-1.

Orlando City

Orlando regained composure after the goal, retaining possession while getting multiple chances at a third score. The last part of the match was a back and forth affair, with the Lions ultimately holding strong and ending the match with the victory.

The club plays one regular season match on Saturday, May 25, vs. the Wilmington Hammerheads before hosting the Rapids in the third round of Open Cup playTuesday night at Fifth Third Bank at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Tuesday’s game marks the first time Orlando has hosted an MLS team at home in the knockout tournament, with the Lions traveling to opponent’s venues in the third round of the past two seasons.

Tickets will be available on www.Orlandocitysoccer.com/tickets. For more information on the upcoming matches, please visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.

OrlandoCitySocer

Orlando City/Ocala Stampede Match Recap

Photos: Orlando City SC

Team                           1    2    Final

Orlando City SC                1    1    2

Ocala Stampede                 0    1    1

Scoring Summary:

ORL- Dom Dwyer  (unassisted) 27th

ORL- Adama Mbengue (unassisted) 50th

OCA- Christian Blandon (unassisted) 58th

Lineups/Substitutions:

Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Erik Ustruck, Justin Clark, Oumar Diakhite, Brian Fekete, M Jonathan Mendoza, Adama Mbengue, Freddie Braun, James O’Connor, F Dom Dwyer (Dennis Chin 46’), Jean Alexandre (Long Tan 66’)

Ocala Stampede- GK Lex Craggs, D David Kamali, Liam Gourlay, Rafael Alves (Jack Bailey 84’), Samuel Duininck, M Stephen Walmsley, William Tice (Kevin Ireland 70’) , Christian Blandon, Wayne Roberts (Kely Breitmeyer 46’), F Amany Nunes, Kenneth Hogg  

Penalty Summary:

ORL- Adama Mbengue (Yellow) 37th

ORL- Freddie Braun (Yellow) 77th

OCA– Samuel Duininck (Yellow) 87th

ORL-Erik Ustruck (Yellow) 90th

Match Facts:

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Weather:  Cloudy

Attendance: 1,030

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Orlando City Faces LA Blues Today!

Orlando City Soccer - Weekly Review

Orlando City Faces Top-Place LA Blues Today at 7:30 p.m.

Lions look for win over Blues after early season loss on Friday at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl

Orlando City continues their home stand this Friday, April 19th, against the LA Blues at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. The two met last week in California, with the Lions upended 1-0 by the upstart Blues on their second road match in three days to begin the regular season.

“We haven’t strung a full 90 together that we’ve all been proud of, but we’re improving,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I feel that we’re getting into some sort of rhythm and we’re looking forward to the game on Friday.”

The Lions (2-1-0, 6 points) most recently topped Rochester 3-1 at their home opener on Sunday night. Inclement weather caused the game to be delayed nearly two hours, with Dom Dwyer, Long Tan and Jamie Watson scoring for Orlando after the long delay for the win.

LA (3-1-0, 9 points) stands at the top of the table through the early 2013 USL PRO Season. Orlando fell to the Blues last week 1-0 at Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. A goal in the 80th minute from former Orlando Striker George Davis IV put LA on top, giving them their first-ever victory over the Lions in franchise history.

Orlando is 2-1-1 all-time against LA, with Heath stating this year’s Blues squad is much improved over last season’s team.

“I told the guys before we played LA the first time that the Blues are going to be a lot better than last year,” Heath added. “The coach and GM are serious football people over there and we expect them to be strong.”

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with pregame festivities including a concert by local band The Crazy Carls. Friday night’s game will be live streamed on USLNation.com. For more information on Friday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.

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Orlando Solar Bears Drop First Preseason Game 6-3

 
SOLAR BEARS DROP FIRST PRESEASON GAME 6-3
Orlando Scores Two Power Play Goals

Click here to view the box score.

 

Estero, FL – The Orlando Solar Bears struck for two power play goals, but fell by the final score of 6-3 to the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena on Friday Night. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at the Germain Arena at 7:00 p.m.

 

Florida struck first, when a turnover in the neutral zone led to a 2-on-1 rush for the Everblades. F David Rutherford gathered a pass and snapped a shot over the shoulder of G Drew Palmisano at 5:22 of the frame. Orlando evened the score at 1-1 just over seven minutes later, as F Thomas Beauregard carried the puck out of the left wing corner and slid a puck through the legs of Everblades G Pat Nagle. The goal came on the power play at 12:31. It didn’t take long for Florida to regain their edge, as F Corey Trivino slapped a bouncing puck past Palmisano at 15:06, and 23 seconds later F Aaron Bogosian tallied to stretch the lead to 3-1.

 

1:13 into the second period, the Everblades stretched their lead to 4-1 when F Brandon MacLean struck for Florida. Orlando came right back, once again on the power play. After a flurry of shots, F Ian Watters found a rebound in front of the net and lifted the puck just under the crossbar to cut Florida’s lead to two. The Everblades ended the period on a beautiful pass from F Chad McQuaid that found Trivino wide open, lifting the Everblades to a 5-2 advantage.

 

The Solar Bears clawed their way back to within two when a shot from D Edward Levens was deflected by F Brett Lyon with 11:47 to play. Orlando’s comeback effort was cut short, as Rutherford added his second goal of the night with 6:20 left in the contest, boosting the Everblades to a 6-3 victory.

 

“This game gave me a great opportunity to evaluate some of our younger players,” said Head Coach Drake Berehowsky.
Notes:

Forward T.J. Fox was released prior to the start of the game… The Solar Bears scored their first two goals of the game on the power play… F Brad Townsend received a five-minute major for fighting in the second period… G Brooks Ostergard entered the game 1:19 into the third period and played the remainder of the contest… Power plays: ORL: 2/7; FLA: 0/6… Shots: ORL: 32; FLA: 33.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and AHL’s Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.

Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.comFacebook, and Twitter(@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates.

Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200 or click here.

Orlando Solar Bears merchandise can be purchased online at: http://shop.orlandosolarbearshockey.com/

       

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