By FRANCO PANIZO
It appears Orlando City’s wish of being announced as an MLS expansion team by the end of the year will be granted.
According to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, MLS executives are expected to announce that Orlando City will be the league’s 21st franchise on Nov. 19. The announcement is expected to be held in downtown Orlando and there will be an open invitation for Orlando City fans to attend the event and celebrate the festive moment.
The report also claims that a confidential document was sent by team officials to local government officials to inform them that the aforementioned date works for MLS senior officials. Orlando City officials have declined to comment on the event, saying only that the club is in talks to finalize discussions with the league.
If the report is true, the announcement would fall in between the first and second legs of the MLS Conference Finals and on the day that the U.S. Men’s National Team faces Austria in their final match of 2013.
Several Orlando leaders are expected to be in attendance for the event, including Governor Rick Scott and Mayors Buddy Dyer and Terese Jacobs. MLS is also expected to be represented, though there is no word as to who will be in attendance for the league.
Last month, Orlando City received approval from Orange County commissioners for $20 million in tourist taxes to help fund construction of a soccer-specific stadium. MLS and the club then said they would work quickly to finalize plans to make Orlando City the league’s 21st team, with Orlando City president Phil Rawlins stating he was hopeful of coming to an agreement and making an announcement around Thanksgiving.
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