Every team in the MLS is Back tournament has faced a common enemy — the brutality of July in Central Florida.
The tournament schedule was crafted in an attempt to avoid the worst period of heat and humidity each day, staggering kickoffs at 9 a.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. But it’s impossible to completely beat the heat in Central Florida this time of year.
With three 8 p.m. kickoffs, Orlando City received one of the most temperate schedules for the opening round. But coach Oscar Pareja said the conditions weren’t a factor in the way his team prepared for the tournament.