The NWSL announced Saturday during halftime of the Orlando Pride's first home match against Washington that Orlando will host the 2017 NWSL Championship match on Saturday, October 14. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City SC Majority Owner Flavio Augusto da Silva were on hand with NWSL Managing Director of Operations Amanda Duffy to make the announcement in front of 14,452 fans for the Pride's first game inside the Orlando City Stadium.
"We are thrilled to announce that Orlando City Stadium, a new state-of-the-art venue that has already become one of the best soccer settings in the country, will be the site of the 2017 NWSL Championship," Amanda Duffy said. "The city of Orlando has proven its overwhelming support for the sport and for the Orlando Pride, and we are confident all the necessary components are in place for a successful and historic championship to conclude the league’s fifth season of operation.”
“The appetite for soccer in Orlando is at an all-time high, and we are thrilled to contribute to this movement by bringing the NWSL Championship to Orlando,” da Silva said. “A huge driving force to invest in our stadium was to bring this community the best soccer opportunities possible, not only with our three teams, but with major events and matches around the world.”