Orlando Trip

The 2013 Disney World Pro Soccer Classic wrapped up yesterday as the Montreal Impact took down the Columbus Crew 1:0. Montreal looked far superior just about from start to finish.

Working on a post over at Massive Report that will try, among other things, to tie together the potential relationship between this tournament and how teams will finish this year. It's a tricky thing, that. Fans seem to dismiss this, the "mouse cup," but I've spent a great deal of time watching it this year and think the performances will play out in the end.

Players and coaches are taking it seriously. Lots of first team players and regular season intensity. The tournament deserves at least the respect the participants have put in to it.

After having enough of watching streaming matches online, I headed down to Orlando to check out things for myself for the final day of games, February 23rd. A full slate. Four matches.

After the match Andy Gruenebaum and Josh Williams thanked each (a dozen or so) fan for making the journey down (or out) to Orlando to watch the club play.

Trip, Disney Pro Soccer Classic

Trip booked! Looking forward to being in Orlando on Feb. 23rd to catch a full day of games. Six of ten Eastern Conference MLS teams will be in action that day.

Columbus Crew
DC United
Montreal Impact
Philadelphia Union
Sporting Kansas City
Toronto FC

Orlando City of the USL Pro division and NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies will also be attending. Orlando City is one I'm really looking forward to if their roster is anything similar to last year. They have about 4 MLS level players that I know of. I've written about them, here.

The tournament basically spans the month, Feb 9 to Feb 23rd. The 8 teams will be split in to two groups then play a final on the 23rd. Each team will get four games in.

A big difference for the Crew this year is that the team will be able to get seven preseason matches in against MLS talent. It is very positive that Columbus is getting MLS matches in this year. Last year the filled in with a matches against Malmö, a Swedish side that likes traveling to the US, and an U17 US National team.

Looks like a mess of these games will be streamed. Looking forward to the trip and a break from 20 degrees and snow.