The city of Orlando are looking ahead to the possibility of having a soccer-specific for Orlando City SC.
The USL Pro-Division club are being touted as a potential MLS franchise down the track and it is being suggested that there are plans for them to move into a venue of their own in the not-too-distant future.
"They will play in a renovated Citrus Bowl for a period of time, but the ultimate goal is for them to have a soccer-specific stadium for their business plan," said Allen Johnson, director of Orlando's venues.
A recent report in the Orlando Sentinel said that local officials are currently looking at MLS stadiums in other cities whilst the Lions are expected to release a study estimating the economic impact of having an MLS franchise in the Southeast.
Lions president Phil Rawlins, who moved the team from Austin, Texas last year, says it is paramount for the club to play in their own stadium if they want to push for a MLS berth.
"In the longer term, we have to have a more intimate, 20,000-seat stadium that can really support the authentic nature of the game and the excitement of the fans and the atmosphere," Rawlins said. "That's what really makes it a success in the markets that are really doing so well."
