Photo: Mark Thor

Thank you City fans.

You have been there for us since the beginning, supporting us all the way up to last night’s announcement of Orlando City as the next Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion club #MLS21.

I’d like to thank all the fans who made it out to last night’s announcement, and a special thank you to the hundreds of fans who couldn’t get into the building and had to follow events from outside or across the street at Harry Buffalo’s. Even though we didn’t see you on the inside, your energy and passion was felt all throughout Central Florida. The dedication you showed is the reason why we are the 21st club in MLS.

Flavio and I are completely blown away by the outpouring of support you all have shown. We have no doubt that Orlando City SC will become the next MLS success story, because you are some of the best fans in the game!

Let it be known that last night was a historic event for all of us in Central Florida. You have forever changed the landscape of our community by bringing a second major league sports franchise to Orlando. There’s still a lot of work to do moving forward, but take time to celebrate being a soccer fan, as we begin to make purple synonymous with MLS and the City of Orlando.

You are ready for MLS. We will be ready for 2015. Let’s GO CITY! #MLS21

Phil Rawlins