Orlando's All-Star Game could feature a tweak of the match's traditional format of facing a European clubGETTY IMAGES
The '19 MLS All-Star Game officially will be hosted at Orlando City Stadium, which "fulfills a commitment MLS Commissioner Don Garber made" to bring the game to the city, according to Jordan Culver of PRO SOCCER USA. An opponent and exact date for the match are "still to be determined." Orlando City Majority Owner & Chair Flavio Augusto Da Silva "teased a potential shift" in the format of the game. Garber said that Da Silva and Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao could "figure out something new in regards to how the match is handled." Culver noted the typical format of the MLS All-Star Game "pits the best players from across the league against a top international club." Da Silva said, "I would wish for some Brazilian teams, maybe. There is a different format people are discussing." Garber said that he wanted to "bring the league's marquee game" to a city that "holds a special place in his heart" after seeing how the Orlando community rallied following the '16 Pulse nightclub shooting. Culver noted this will be the "second time in MLS history" the All-Star Game is hosted in Orlando. The city "previously hosted the game" in '98 at the Citrus Bowl. Garber said that Camping World Stadium was "never in consideration" for the game. He added that the opportunity to host matches like the All-Star Game is a "reward and part of the commitments the league makes to new clubs" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 9/13).
