It Can Happen Here

Photo: @TheSoccerTour

November 19, 2013...the day that Orlando City was awarded a MLS franchise - a day that has led to this. Orlando City SC opened up its third season in MLS by defeating NYCFC 1-0 in their brand new soccer specific stadium on Sunday. It truly was a spectacle to watch. A sea of purple stood, chanted, clapped, and cheered for a full 90 minutes, not unlike what they've done for the past 7 years when the club was created back in the USL. Envy and hope took me.

---

​While OCSC's success on the field has been rather lack-luster, failing to make the playoffs in both of its seasons, the success off the field in the community and with its fans has been top class. Orlando has averaged over 31,000 fans in each of its first two season in MLS. In their own more intimate stadium, which was originally planned for 18,000 fans, now includes more seats due to the huge demand and attendance.

​It can happen here.

As a San Antonian - as an avid fan and writer of San Antonio FC - what Orlando City experienced on Sunday is something I can't wait for to happen here in the Alamo City. While not a new expansion team, the atmosphere for their opening match in their new stadium is what soccer is trending towards in North America. Just take a look at Atlanta United's home opener as well. Over 55,000 fans marched into an American football stadium to watch an association football match - in SEC country. Soccer is the sport of the future with young people. Soccer, is here to stay. 

​It can happen here.

---

​It wasn't all that long ago that top-tier professional soccer disappeared from the state of Florida, in fact. Both former MLS teams, the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion, both folded after the 2001 season.

What a difference a decade makes. 
​
Similarly, San Antonio is now only currently experiencing its own sustained professional soccer scene since the arrival of the late San Antonio Scorpions and now with San Antonio FC. Prior to the Scorpions, soccer in San Antonio had a spotty history, at best. Two underwhelming seasons of the San Antonio Thunder in the original NASL on the field and in the stands were not enough to keep top-level professional soccer in the Alamo City. A few minor league clubs here and there in-between brought us to our current state. Now we have a chance.

Photo: uslsoccer.com

​With Spurs Sports & Entertainment at the helm of San Antonio FC, San Antonio has a realistic chance of being awarded a MLS franchise. There are many out there who will argue that San Antonio "isn't a major league city" or that "MLS is a Ponzi scheme without pro/rel".

Is MLS perfect? Far from it. But it's ours.

Soccer in America doesn't have to look exactly like it does in England, Spain, or Germany in order for exciting play and enjoyable fan experiences to abound. 

We can have an experience like Orlando, here, in our great city.  

Heck, we can have it now, because no matter what happens with our application for MLS, we still have SAFC. We still have a great soccer stadium in Toyota Field. We still have passionate fans. Become a season ticket member, go to matches, and get involved.

It'll make that opening night in MLS all the sweeter.

It can happen here.

---