Orlando awarded MLS expansion franchise

Orlando City Soccer Club has become Major League Soccer’s next expansion franchise. MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed a franchise agreement with Orlando City SC on Tuesday at a community celebration near the site where a new downtown stadium will be constructed. Once construction is completed on the recently approved $84 million, 18,000-seat soccer- specific venue the team will begin playing in MLS in the 2015 season. Orlando City becomes MLS’ 21st franchise. It is the latest of four new franchises that Garber said in August the league planned to add by 2020. New York is also getting a team, New York City FC, in 2015. – AP