Orlando is set to secure Major League Soccer's (MLS) latest expansion franchise after a key vote on funding for a new stadium went in its favour on Tuesday, reports Soccerex Business Daily. The Florida city's county commission has approved US$20 million in tourism taxes to be used toward the funding of an $84 million downtown MLS stadium. The commission's decision came after a unanimous vote earlier this month by city officials on the same funding plan to help the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) Orlando City club build the 18,000-seat, soccer-specific stadium.
The team will contribute the rest of the funding for construction, with Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins stating an agreement with MLS could be completed within weeks.
The team expects to begin play in 2015 and MLS officials are now focused on expanding the League to 24 franchises by 2020.
