Da Silva, pictured above at Saturday's home game vs. Fluminense, kicks the ball around with OCSC fans

Brazilian Orlando City Investor/Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva attended Orlando City’s international friendly against Fluminense FC Saturday night, taking in a match that saw a friendly attendance record of 11,127 supporters at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Before the game, Da Silva spoke with press in town about his vision for the club- making it very clear the bar is being set high for the future of Orlando City SC.

“We are not investing to just become a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise,” he said. “We are investing to become the best club in MLS.”

The 41-year-old self-made entrepreneur, who began his language-school business in Brazil with $10,000 on a 12 percent loan in 1995, added that performance on the field will result in greater exposure once the Lions enter MLS in the near future.

“When we are the best in the MLS, doors open for you, “ he added. “CONCACAF Champions League, the Club World Cup, etc. These tournaments are very important, and once you are in- it creates massive exposure for the brand. The whole world watches these games.”

Orlandocitysoccer.com asked the owner what he thinks the club can achieve 15 years down the road, with the Rio de Janeiro native being forward with his answer.

“In 15 years, we can have a very strong brand and fan base,” Da Silva said. “We will be a global brand of soccer, I am very confident in that. People in Orlando are going to be proud of this team.”

Powerful numbers support the owner/investor’s claim of Orlando City becoming a ‘global brand’ – including the 1.5 million Brazilian travelers to the state of Florida (Source: Visit Orlando, 2011) per year. On top of that, the club plans to sign a Brazilian high-profile designated player once MLS comes to Central Florida, boosting awareness in key international markets around the globe.

Flavio added that while the club will have a core fan base made up of supporters in the Central Florida area, the international draw Orlando brings will only boost brand recognition across the globe. That idea includes diverting 1 percent of Brazilian visitors who currently come to Miami to Orlando. This has a potential impact of $11,000,000 annually for Central Florida.

“The City of Orlando is very well known in the world,” Da Silva added. “We receive tourists from all corners and the city has a great opportunity to reach out and grab new fans. We can start marketing this to Brazil, Latin America and every country.
It’s important to win on the field, but just as much to market the brand, the atmosphere, the fans, off of it (the field).”