The month of March has Orlando City facing a total of five universities from across the state, beginning with Florida International University (FIU) on Saturday, March 2, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.

“Itʼs been an intense couple of weeks, everybody will play at some stage against FIU,” Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath told orlandocitysoccer.com. “I aim to have the strongest squad in America and playing these friendlies is just another opportunity for young players to play. Everyone will see playing time against FIU.”

Despite not being able to win the Disney PSC earlier last month, Heath praised many of his players, especially former U23s standout and newcomer Jonathan Mendoza.

“Heʼs got an infectious sense of humor and personality, he understands and has a good football head,” said Heath. “One of the things Iʼm a big believer in is over a course of seven to eight months, people who come in and bring it, they stand out like a sore thumb.”

Orlando City went 6-0-0 last year during their collegiate friendly play, looking to emulate that same kind of run. That starts Saturday against the FIU Panthers. FIU’s Quentin Albrecht is coming off a high-scoring season, notching a total of 17 goals in 17 games played for the Panthers.

With defense being held at a high regard last season for the Lions, Coach Heath is looking at new defender and signing Brian Fekete to join his traditional back four.

The University of Tampa product scored the potential game-tying goal against Major League Soccerʼs Columbus Crew in the Disney PSC, before Federico Higuain downed the Orlando City 3-2 late in the 90th minute.

“Heʼs a fantastic athlete. Heʼs left footed and competitive,” said Heath on the former Sporting Kansas City Supplemental Draft pick. “Weʼre pleased that heʼs come on board. There is a lot of growth in him.

The collegiate friendly match against FIU is set for Saturday with kickoff at 4 p.m., following a week later into the Inaugural I-4 Derby against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl, kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.