Since Orlando City’s arrival to the Central Florida market, a matchup between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Rowdies was at the top of each club’s supporter group’s wish list.

In the 2013 season, the Orlando and Tampa faithfuls would eventually get what they had been wishing for when both clubs agreed to a home and away I-4 Derby series.

Although the game was important to both sets of players, the supporters had a different outlook on the cross-state derby. The outcome of the match against the Rowdies reflected not only both clubs and their supporters but also the cities in which they reside.

“We were pushing for the match for a long time because a lot of it had to do with a sense of disrespect,” said Jared Ambrose, member of the Iron Lion Firm supporter group. “Their fans loved to talk about how we ‘played in a lower division’ or anything they could think of to try and bash the club, the city, or the supporters.”

Knowing how much a victory would mean to their supporters, the City players ventured into the first leg at the Florida Citrus Bowl with a trophy-winning mindset, despite the match being irrelevant for league-standings.

After going down 1-0 in the 17th minute, due to an Amani Walker finish, Orlando would score three second-half goals- capping off an impressive home-leg.

But the job was far from finished.

Despite Orlando’s dominant play in the opening match, the Rowdies still managed to secure two vital away goals and playing on a tight pitch at Al Lang Stadium would not be an easy task.

As the Lions took to the road for the second leg, so did the fans, and by the busload at that. The opportunity to possibly see the side they support hoist the I-4 Derby Trophy in their rival’s stadium was too good to pass up.

And the supporters were not disappointed.

With a home away from home atmosphere in enemy territory, City got off to a cracking start and never looked back when Midfielder Kevin Molino put the Lions up 1-0 in the fifth minute.

Adama Mbengue and Dom Dwyer added the final blows, and the Lions were able to claim the inaugural I-4 Derby Trophy.

“The second leg in St. Pete was amazing,” Ambrose added. We had two charter busses filled with members of the Iron Lion Firm, the Ruckus, and the 407 so the atmosphere on the ride alone kind of set the tone.”
“We were able to show up at Al Lang and pretty much make it an Orlando City home game. What made it even better was winning the trophy, in their stadium, and being able to celebrate with our players the way that we did. It was great.”

After the match, Head Coach Adrian Heath could not have been more pleased by the fan support shown on the road, also adding that it felt like a home game.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere,” said Heath after the second-leg last year. “I’m pleased for our players as they worked really hard tonight, and I’m really pleased for the supporters as they’ve been unbelievable. This one is for them.”

The first leg for this year's I-4 Derby match will take place on Wednesday, April 30, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

To purchase tickets, click here!