As Orlando City SC Starts To Struggle, Will Big Crowds Still Come Out?

Orlando City SC's exhibition win over Brazilian club Ponte Preta on Saturday night was played before a "significantly smaller announced crowd of 20,501" than has gone to some of the club's first MLS home matches, according to Mike Bianchi of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The fans attending the Citrus Bowl for Orlando City matches "have been phenomenal despite the Lions not giving them much to cheer about." The club is 2-4-2 and has scored just six goals, but Bianchi noted the fan base "has been so passionate, so positive and so untouched by the noxious negativity that too often infiltrates the traditional American stick-and-ball sports." However, the question remains as to whether Orlando City fans will "remain unspoiled and continue to show up for matches in this inaugural season" or whether they "turn into UCF football fans and only show up when their team is winning big and playing a big-time opponent" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/3).