Geoff Burke-USA Today Sports

As the Orlando City Council prepared to discuss and vote on stadium funding for Orlando City SC‘s new stadium, Mayor Buddy Dwyer surprised everyone and announced that  Orlando would host a Nov. 10 USWNT-Brazil friendly.

While stadium funding seems to be the only roadblock keeping OCSC from becoming an MLS franchise, today’s surprise announcement is nothing but good news for Orlando. With the friendly being played at the Citrus Bowl, Orlando can prove once and for all that they are a good environment to have an MLS club.

Additionally, this announcement shows a commitment by Orlando City to both soccer on a national and local level. What is better to show that than by hosting the USWNT against a top team like Brazil?

Later today we will know whether or not the city council approves OCSC’s funding request or not. My personal inclination is that funding will be approved, but unfortunately I neither have a say nor make a vote. However, Mayor Dwyer is one of OCSC’s biggest fans and supporters, and I am certain he has tried to convince his fellow representatives to vote in favor.

Nevertheless, Orlando will be assisting US Soccer in hosting the USWNT-Brazil Nov. 10 friendly. If Orlando’s USL Pro season is any indication, the stadium should be filled with both Orlando and US soccer fans. This is a great opportunity to show the nation, MLS executives, and other soccer clubs why indeed Orlando should become the 21st MLS franchise.

The dream is there, and Dyer’s surprise announcement today further shows Orlando is committed to reaching that dream, while also hosting national team soccer matches.

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