This is no vacation.
D.C. United will travel to Florida for a regular season match for the first time since 2001 when it touches down for its inaugural showdown with expansion side Orlando City. Here’s what you need to pack with your Mickey Mouse ears:
- Kaká, age 32, is a legitimate world superstar. Where has he played? São Paulo, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian national team. What’s he won? The 2002 World Cup, the 2004 Serie A title, the 2007 UEFA Champions League, and the 2012 La Liga championship. In 2007 he was named FIFA World Player of the Year.
- Kaká’s stoppage-time free kick goal against New York City FC on March 8 in front of 62,358 delirious fans at the Citrus Bowl made for a Disney-like ending to Orlando City’s first-ever MLS match. But the Lions are still searching for their first win at home – and D.C. United will be more than happen to extend that wait.
- Kaká is the marquee member of Orlando City’s inaugural roster, just like The Magic Kingdom is the main attraction in Central Florida. But just as Central Florida also has other theme parks, the Lions have two other young Designated Players: Colombian Carlos Rivas and Honduran Bryan Róchez, both of whom are just 20 years old.
- Lewis Neal made the switch from D.C. to Orlando via the expansion draft this offseason. But he won’t soon be forgotten for his contributions to the Black-and-Red. In 2012, he cemented the club’s first playoff berth in five years with the final goal in a 3-2 win over Columbus. In 2013, he scored the lone goal in United’s stunning 1-0 triumph at Real Salt Lake to capture the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
- Since Major League Soccer began its period of sustained expansion in 2005, D.C. United has lost once in 10 inaugural matches (8-1-1) against expansion or relocated teams. United’s only defeat came in a 3-2 loss to Portland in 2011. After this week’s visit to Orlando, United meets New York City FC for the first time on Aug. 13 at Yankee Stadium.
- All three of D.C.’s games against Orlando City in 2015 will be nationally broadcast. The teams’ first-ever clash will air on UniMás, which will make an English-language commentary available via the SAP function. No excuses. Tienes que mirar.
