Field for third annual event to expand to eight teams; additional teams to be announced soon
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Nov. 1, 2011) – MLS Cup contenders Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City Soccer are among the first teams to enter the 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
Sporting KC, which plays the Colorado Rapids Nov. 2 for a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship, has been the Cinderella team of Major League Soccer this season with their worst-to-first run. Sporting KC is arguably the hottest team in MLS today and anchors what is expected to be another strong Disney Pro Soccer Classic field, Feb. 24-March 3, at Disney.
Sporting KC will have stiff competition from other MLS teams and Orlando City, which is the reigning United Soccer League champion and will be one of the teams to beat in the Classic. The Disney Pro Soccer Classic field has been expanded from five teams a year ago to eight teams in 2012. The remaining teams will be announced in the next several weeks.
“Having top-flight teams such as Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City enter our event underscores the popularity of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in the soccer world,’’ said Disney Sports manager Patrick Dicks. “When you combine the high-caliber soccer action with the opportunity to vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, this event will give soccer fans a one-of-a-kind pro soccer experience that will appeal to fans of all ages.’’
The Disney Pro Soccer Classic is just one of more than a dozen prestigious soccer events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which is the leading multi-sports venue in the nation and the official preseason training home of the MLS Toronto Football Club. Among the most high-profilesoccer events at the Disney sports complex are Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the Disney Cup International and the MAAC Men’s Soccer Championships.
