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The new Columbus? Orlando has the look of an emerging USMNT fortress

The U.S. national team rode an intense crowd at Orlando City Stadium to a 4-0 win over Panama, further solidifying the market's soccer credentials

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dax McCarty didn't see it coming.

Growing up in suburban Orlando, the now 30-year-old couldn't sniff out much of a budding soccer culture. It wasn't until 2011 that the market even launched a lower-level side in the USL. When Orlando kicked off as an MLS expansion franchise in 2015, McCarty made a bet with a friend and set the over/under for the club's average attendance at 15,000.

The actual number?