Photo: Mark Thor

ORLANDO, Fla.—Orlando City SC completed the #Mission15k campaign Tuesday, compiling 15,000 signatures on OrlandoBelievesinMLS.com. Originally re-launched on Friday, September 13, with 8,500 signatures, the social media campaign encouraged fans to sign a petition stating ‘I believe in Major League Soccer (MLS) in Orlando!’ –with the drive reaching over the 15,000 mark in just two weeks.

“The amount of support we received has been a true testament to the passion of our fan base here in Central Florida,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “We are excited to get over the 15,000 mark and look forward to bringing a MLS franchise to Orlando in the very near future.”

Originally, the club used the hashtag to encourage 15,000 fans to attend the 2013 USL PRO Championship on Saturday, September 7, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The hashtag caught on throughout Central Florida, with the club shattering franchise and league record with 20,886 fans attending the Championship.

The petition remains active, with supporters who haven’t signed encouraged to do so by visiting OrlandoBelievesinMLS.com. Orlando City is awaiting the final votes by both the City and County Board of Commissioners on the approval of $20 million Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. The votes represent the final funding source needed to complete plans for a new downtown soccer stadium. They are expected to occur in the next month.

For more information on MLS in Orlando, visit both OrlandoCitySoccer.com and OrlandoBelievesinMLS.com.