Why We Are All Orlando City Soccer Club Fans!

So as everyone knows, I love to do new things! A few nights ago Shelley and I (and then two nights later Shalon and I) went to our first Orlando City Soccer Club match and I have to say they have made fans for LIFE!

Follow The Fans!!!!

The Orlando City Soccer Club is an American professional soccer team based in Orlando, Florida, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Their Colors are Purple, Red and Gold and White and their mascot is the Lion.

Orlando City Lions

The ownership group, originally identified as Orlando Pro Soccer, was announced on March 4, 2010, and was initially affiliated with the Orlando Titans National Lacrosse League team. However, the Titans ran into financial difficulties. Steve Donner left the Titans club after the 2010 NLL season to focus on the soccer effort. In October 2010, the Orlando Pro Soccer USL rights were purchased by Phil Rawlins, a board member of EnglishPremier League club Stoke City, who moved the Austin Aztex organization to Orlando. The team was announced on October 25, 2010. Rawlins stated at the press conference that he intends to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Orlando “within 3–5 years”, and intends to bring international matches to the city as well. Rawlins is President and majority owner of the club’s ownership group, Orlando Sports Holdings. Also in the group is Brendan Flood, a board member of English Championship club Burnley. Rawlins announced that the Aztex organization would remain intact in Orlando, with Adrian Heath being retained as manager and most of the team’s players returning as well.

Since then The Orlando City Soccer Club has made their reign very well known in Orlando. In 2011 they were the PSL Pro Champions and they also just clinched that title for 2012 this past Friday in a 4-0 win over the Charleston Battery!

2012 Champions!!!!!

I wish I could explain the energy that these games put off! It is so much fun!!! I have been to big sporting events (Everyone knows I love my Red Sox and Patriots), and for a home town game these fans know how to have FUN!!!! They have Drums, horns, confetti, and chants and it is infectious. Even if you don’t know the words to the chants, You have to jump and clap along!

There are a few different groups that frequent these games.

The Ruckus is the oldest of these groups, whose basis was formed in 2009 as the “Orlando Soccer Supporters Club” without an affiliation to any particular soccer team. They occupy section 119.

The “Iron Lion Firm“, which separated from The Ruckus prior to the start of City’s first season. They run section 121.

The “Orlando Natural Riddim Section” is a Trinidadian drum band that occupies section 109 and plays drums and other percussion instruments throughout home matches.

“Los Guerrilloz”, a Spanish-language barra brava, has formed recently and typically occupies section 128.

For both of the games we hung out in section 121 with the Iron Lion Firm, the ILF!

These Folks know how to have fun!

I got the opportunity to speak to one of the front members of the ILF names Ahmed and he filled me in on what the ILF is about!

Ahmed shared with me that The Iron Lion Firm was formed on March 5th, 2011 by 4 like minded individuals that love the game and culture of soccer and want the sport to flourish here in the states especially Orlando. The ILF are a independent supporters club of Orlando City Soccer Club, with that being said, they fund themselves from within the group for essential items that are crucial to their game day experience; Tailgate supplies, food, streamers, flags, smoke bombs, banners, scarfs and membership T-shirts.

The Iron Lion Firm are a group of culturally diverse individuals and we are a young demographic. Their age group ranges from 17-mid 30’s, but a bulk of the group are in their 20’s. They have about 120 members paying dues to date and that grows throughout the season. Being a paid member get’s you a Purple Iron Lion Firm T-shirt with the club crest on the front, discounts on other merchandise that they create throughout the year such as scarfs, and a discount at their home pub (R.S. Busby’s Orlando) where they host their meetings at. It’s pretty crazy how a group of 4 guys who love the game and want Major League Soccer here in the city beautiful can spread like wildfire just after the first season of being together.

The songs & chants are mostly created or donated by other members & translated into English. They have chants both in English & Spanish.
These games have to be some of the most fun things to do in Orlando. When you go you see flags from all over the world. You see fans of every ethnicity and every culture. You see kids getting into it, you see adults, you see grand parents, you see families having picnics in the stands, we even saw people on their first dates!
The games are held at the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando. They have vendors selling the typical fair fare all around the entrance. Corn dogs, French fries, nachos and of course Beer! 🙂 They have Orlando City Soccer Merchandise trucks selling T-shirts and Scarves and Jerseys. Stickers and Posters and Balls OH My! And the best part is that the pricing for the games is SUPER affordable!
Pricing for all budgets!
The fact that the players have SO MUCH love for their fans is what has me hooked. They include local boys and girls as the ball kids for the games, the players walk on the field with kids from the local teams at the beginning of the games, and they are always out for pictures and autographs and to even kick the ball around with their fans after the games! The team wants their fans involved. They want people to scream and yell and get rowdy! We even heard from #12 Forward Matt Luzunaris that no matter where they play all over the world, The Orlando City team always has the best and loudest fans!!! Even at away matches. That says a lot! That makes me a proud Orlando Girl!
The Orlando City Soccer Club has play off games coming up and as of right now they only home game listed on their Website is the game on August 17, 2012 against The Dayton Dutch Lions at 7:30pm.
PLEASE Go see these boys in action! Take part in being a fan of Orlando, Soccer and this AMAZING team! Throw on your favorite Purple Shirt, or a red hat, grab a beverage and get ready for some fun!
I want to throw out a huge thanks to Chris Jones who is the Media Relations Coordinator for Orlando City  for hosting our blog at the games and always answering our newbie questions and encouraging us to cheer loudly!
Also a MAJOR Thanks out to Ahmed of the Iron Lion Firm for answering our questions and letting us join in the fun!!!
Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

The Week in Review: July 23-27, 2012

Happy Sunday!!!

Here at On the Go we have been having another week of fun around Orlando, and it’s time to take a look back so we can Keep Moving Forward…So let’s go!!!

On Monday, we took at look at the new Oz: The Great and Powerful, opening March 8, 2013, trailer that was released. This looks like it is going to be an amazing movie!!!

Oz: The Great and Powerful will be released March 8, 2013

 

Then it is almost my favorite time of year again…Food and Wine Festival at Epcot!!! Aurora looked at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series line up for this year on Tuesday, and I am really excited!!! Sugar Ray, Boyz II Men, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are just a few of the bands that will be performing at this year’s series! You HAVE to check out one of these concerts if you are here for the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot!!!

The 2012 Eat to the Beat Concert Series is from September 28-November 12 at Epcot!!!

If your family is anything like mine, you have caught Wreck-It Ralph fever and November 2, 2012 needs to be here today! Tuesday we looked at the slew of talented actors from some of your favorite video games and movies that are lending their voices to this highly anticipated movie!

Wreck-It Ralph Hits Movie Theaters November 2, 2012

 

Wordless Wednesday took us to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, were we needed to be Quiet on the Set at The Great Movie Ride!

Quiet on the Set – The Great Movie Ride – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

The only thing cuter than a manatee is a rescued manatee that gave birth to an absolutely adorable calf! Our friends at SeaWorld rescued this momma manatee from Sykes Creek in Merritt Island, FL, because she had severe injuries to the front right flipper caused by a crab pot line. Mom and Calf are doing well and are as cute as can be!

Approximately six weeks after her rescue, rescued manatee gives birth to a calf at SeaWorld Orlando on the morning of July 18, 2012.

 

Thursday Betsy took us with us as she looked at her Happy Place at Walt Disney World where the Dole Whips flow…Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This post is filled with great photos, information, and delicious food that you can find at the Poly, and is sure to make you say Aloha to this amazing Deluxe Resort!

Congratulations! It’s a 100 Weedy Sea Dragons! Over at SeaWorld there is a rare birth about to take place, as a father Weedy Sea Dragon is taking care of 100 eggs that will hatch soon!

Nearly 100 small, pinkish eggs adorn a male weedy sea dragon. As with sea horses, male sea dragons are responsible for bearing young.

We closed out the week with one of the coolest things that we have done yet! The Gaylord Palms hosted a Christmas in July event where we found out about how Ice! will feature some of our favorite characters from Merry Madagascar and had a surprise performance from Vanilla Ice! We also take a peek inside this beautiful resort. How can you not love that???

Vanilla Ice killed it at the Gaylord Palms

Thanks for joining us this week at On the Go, and we can’t wait to bring you even more posts next week!!!

And now for the shameless plugs…

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook!!!

If you love pinning as much as we do, please make sure that you also follow us on Pinterest!

And if you don’t already, follow us on Twitter!

 

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Enzian Announces Saturday Matinee Classics Lineup

Every second Saturday of the month, Enzian offers a legendary cinematic masterpiece the way it should be seen – on the big screen! The lineup for the remainder of this year represents iconic moments in film history that every film lover should see. Each screening begins with a special brief introduction that will engage the audience with fascinating information about the film. Tickets are $8 and only $5 for Enzian members.

Saturday, July 14, 11:00 a.m.
CHILDREN OF PARADISE (1945)
Rated PG
Director Marcel Carne’s entrancing love story “Children of Paradise” has often been called “the French ‘Gone With the Wind.’” Filmed during the German occupation, this French milestone centers around the theatrical life of a beautiful courtesan and the four men who love her in their own ways: a mime, an actor, a criminal, and an aristocrat. Nominated for an Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay, the brand new restoration of this
grand masterpiece creates the richest pictorial detail that’s ever been seen along with a fully-restored soundtrack.

http://www.enzian.org/film/children_of_paradise/

Saturday, August 11, 11:00 a.m.
THE GODFATHER PART II (1974)
Rated R
Director Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary sequel to his landmark 1972 film, “The Godfather Part II,” follows the young Vito Corleone’s rise and his son Michael’s spiritual fall. This movie of staggering magnitude and vision garnered eleven Academy Award® nominations and six wins including Best Picture. Robert De Niro took home the Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor.

http://www.enzian.org/film/the_godfather_part_ii/

Saturday, September 8, Noon
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
Not Rated
Fall in love with this timeless musical gem featuring Gene Kelly in top form, a classic George Gershwin score, and the romantic City of Lights that claimed six Academy Awards® including Best Picture. From catchy tunes like “I Got Rhythm” and “Love is
Here to Stay” to an extravagant ballet performance, it’s movie magic at its best.

http://www.enzian.org/film/an_american_in_paris/

Saturday, October 13, Noon
THE SHINING (1980)
Rated R
Just in time for Halloween, Enzian presents Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s horror masterpiece. Jack Torrence (a defining role for Jack Nicholson), his wife (Shelley Duvall), and psychic son Danny (Danny Lloyd) are snowed in at the remote, foreboding Overlook Hotel and soon discover that its spirits have a sinister plan. Remember “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so join us for some intense,
downright scary fun!

http://www.enzian.org/film/the_shining/

Saturday, November 10, 11:00 a.m.
NASHVILLE (1975)
Rated R
One of the most celebrated films of the 1970s, Robert Altman’s Oscar®-winning epic presents a portrayal and critique of the American obsession with celebrities. The intersecting stories of 24 characters through five days in the country music capital come together in a dramatic climax. Keith Carradine, Lily Tomlin, Karen Black, Ned Beatty, Scott Glenn, Jeff Goldblum, and many others make up the extraordinary ensemble cast.

http://www.enzian.org/film/nashville/

Saturday, December 8, Noon
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
Not Rated
An Enzian Tradition! This Frank Capra wintertime comedy/drama stars James Stewart and was nominated for five Academy Awards® including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture. The epiphany of movie sentiment and a transcendent experience, “It’s a Wonderful Life” tells the story of an angel helping a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

http://www.enzian.org/film/its_a_wonderful_life/

About Enzian:
Enzian is Central Florida’s only full-time, not-for-profit cinema for first-run independent and international films, classic revivals, documentary features, and select family entertainment. Enzian, a member-supported organization serving the community for 27 years, is home to Eden Bar and the internationally recognized Florida Film Festival.

For additional information:
On-line: www.Enzian.org
Phone: (407) 629-1088
Facebook: Facebook.com/EnzianTheater
Twitter: @EnzianTheater

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram

Join Us On The Amway Center Fan Tour!

As most people know I am a Twitter fiend, says the girl with 103,880 tweets! Twitter is my drug of choice! I am forever tweeting about lots of things that usually aren’t important but a lot of time those silly things have paid off!

The Amway Center here in Orlando is home to the Orlando Magic, The Orlando Predators and my person favorite the Orlando Solar Bears. They are a huge concert and sporting venue. Beautiful new facility that replaced the old Amway Arena a few years ago. They were running a Twitter and Facebook ReTweet/RePost contest for all their followers for a chance at a behind the scenes tour of the facility! Well, I was one of the lucky ten winners!!! So this past Wednesday me and my favorite +1  Shelley Caran took a trip to see this beautiful facility!

Do you see that 46 foot Jumbo tron???? Yeah Buddy! It is the Biggest in the USA!!!! We learned so much about the facility and what goes into making it from a basketball court, to a hockey arena, into a concert venue and into a Circus Tent!!!! We also learned that the Amway Center is the FIRST NBA facility to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design new construction certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The arena uses 20% less energy and 40% less water than arenas of similar size.

Amway Center “green” features include:

  • Preferred parking for hybrids and other energy-efficient vehicles
  • High-efficiency heating and cooling systems
  • Ultra-low-flow toilets
  • A reflective and insulated roof that reduces cooling costs
  • High-tech monitoring systems that shut off the lights when a room is empty
  • Bicycle racks, showers and changing rooms for workers who bike to work
  • Systems to treat storm runoff before it can pollute nearby lakes
  • Recycling bins for fans and concertgoers
  • Additionally, many of the points toward LEED certification for the Amway Center were earned during construction. For example, of the facility’s building materials, 15 percent are recycled and 20 percent come from local sources. About 83 percent of the wood, concrete and steel construction waste has been recycled rather than sent to a landfill.
This is ONE beautiful facility! They took us on a tour of everything, we got to meet Stuff (Orlando Magic Mascot) and Shades (Orlando Hockey Mascot), we got treated to an amazing dessert spread and they even did a few giveaways and of course, me being Princess Luck won a Orlando Magic Jersey! We also got a swag bag at the end that included tickets to an Orlando Predators game and an Orlando Predators shirt to wear! They treated us like royalty! Big Huge Shout out to Jen at the Amway Center who was the young lady who set up our tour and is the face behind their twitter account! I can not wait to go to a Preds game and I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO Excited for the upcoming Hockey Season! See you all on the glass!!

 

Follow us for more updates: Facebooktwitteryoutubetumblrinstagram