The Orlando Lions were an American men's soccer team from Orlando, Florida which existed from 1985 to 1996. Over the years, the Lions competed at both the amateur and professional levels including some seasons as an independent team.
The Lions is a nickname that has persisted in the area in connection with later efforts to bring pro soccer to the area. It is used as a nickname for the current Orlando City SC team, which played in the third-tier USL Pro league between 2010 and 2014, and now plays in Major League Soccer.
ASL/APSL Founded in 1985, the Orlando Lions joined the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1988. The team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Alliance. They merged with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers after the 1990 season. The club played in Orlando, Florida.
Year-by-year YearDivisionLeagueReg. seasonPlayoffsOpen Cup1988N/AASL4th, SouthernDid not qualifyDid not enter1989N/AASL4th, SouthernDid not qualifyDid not enter1990N/AAPSL3rd, ASL SouthDid not qualifyDid not enter
Yearly average attendance 1988 – 2,736Courtesy the A-League Archives, accessed February 5, 2012. Figures added and averaged. One home date out of 10 missing for 1988. 1989 – 2,761Courtesy the A-League Archives, accessed February 5, 2012. Figures added and averaged. 1990 – not available
USISL The second Orlando Lions were a soccer club based in Orlando, Florida. The team began in the USISL and, in 1995, moved to the USISL Premier League.
Year-by-year YearDivisionLeagueReg. seasonPlayoffsOpen Cup1992N/AUSISL1st, SoutheastSizzling SixDid not enter1993N/AUSISL1st, SoutheastFinalDid not enter1993/94N/AUSISL Indoor4th, SoutheastDid not qualifyN/A19943USISL4th, SoutheastDivisional SemifinalsDid not enter1994/95N/AUSISL Indoor3rd, North/SouthDid not qualifyN/A1995"4"USISL Premier League8th, EasternDid not qualifyDid not enter1995/96N/AUSISL Indoor2nd, SoutheastDid not qualifyN/A1995"4"USISL Premier League2nd, SouthernDid not qualifyDid not enter19964USISL Premier League2nd EC SouthernunknownDid not enter
Coaches Mark Dillon (1985–1988, 1992–1993) John Higgins (1988–1989) Gary Hindley (1989–1990) Sergio Mora (1995) Steve Lions (1995–96) Indoor
Yearly awards USISL MVP 1992: Sheldon Lee
USISL Top Scorer 1993: Sheldon Lee
USISL All-Star 1992: Robin Chan 1993: Sheldon Lee, David Mackey
USISL Coach of the Year 1993: Mark Dillon
References