It didn’t matter who was playing on the pitch or coaching on the sidelines. It didn’t matter whether the Lions were winning the USL title or fumbling through a 22-loss season. Orlando City fans remained faithful, filling the terraces each year and cheering even when there wasn’t much to celebrate.
The coronavirus pandemic has blocked the supporters from cheering on the Lions in person during the team’s historic run through MLS is Back Tournament, creating a sense of loss for both the fans and the players.
After the Lions punched their ticket to the final match, Julian Rios rallied fellow supporters to raise funds to fly a banner over the field at ESPN Wide World of Sports.