![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![A tailgater seasons his food on the grill prior to...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
A tailgater seasons his food on the grill prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored the first of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Nathan King from Orlando , center, takes photos with fans...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Nathan King from Orlando , center, takes photos with fans outside of the Citrus Bowl in his purple spandex suit prior to kickoff of Orlando City's season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus Bowl before the kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585363532Z.1
![Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored the second of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![A young fan makes bubbles in the tailgate area prior...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
A young fan makes bubbles in the tailgate area prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Thousands wait in line outside at the Citrus Bowl after...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Thousands wait in line outside at the Citrus Bowl after kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus Bowl before the kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585363532Z.1
![Nathan King from Orlando hangs out outside of the Citrus...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Nathan King from Orlando hangs out outside of the Citrus Bowl in his purple spandex suit prior to kickoff of Orlando City's season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. The game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Orlando City fans file into the Citrus Bowl prior to...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fans file into the Citrus Bowl prior to kickoff of Orlando City's season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Young fans play soccer in the tailgate area prior to...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
Young fans play soccer in the tailgate area prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus Bowl before the kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585363532Z.1
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Orlando City fans celebrate after Orlando City scored the second...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fans celebrate after Orlando City scored the second of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Young fans play soccer in the tailgate area prior to...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
Young fans play soccer in the tailgate area prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored the first of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club cheer in the south end zone at the Citrus Bowl before kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585374759Z.1
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
Fans tailgate prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
![Orlando City fans celebrate after Orlando City scored the second...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fans celebrate after Orlando City scored the second of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![An Orlando City fan does a back flip in the...]()
Charles King / Orlando Sentinel
An Orlando City fan does a back flip in the tailgate area prior to the Orlando City season opener against Real Salt Lake. (Charles King/Orlando Sentinel)
![Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored...]()
Jacob Langston / Orlando Sentinel
Orlando City fan Gilbert Flores celebrates after Orlando City scored the first of two goals in stoppage time during their season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Orlando City scored twice in stoppage time and the game ended in a 2-2- tie. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)
![Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus...]()
Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel
Members of the Ruckus fan club arrive at the Citrus Bowl before the kick-off of the season opener for the Orlando City Soccer Lions, Sunday, March 6, 2016. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B585363532Z.1
![360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016...]()
Sean Pitts / Orlando Sentinel
360 photos of Orlando City Soccer fans tailgating the 2016 season opener on Sunday, March 6 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. (Sean Pitts, Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando’s great melting pot has four wheels and runs on diesel.
A stream of buses transports Orlando City Soccer Club fans between downtown and Camping World Stadium on game days. Old, young, male, female, all manner of race and socio-economic types are shuttled across town.
We’re jammed together, many wobbily standing inside this purple-people eater.
We’re optimistic about the immediate future.
We’re loud but silently judging jerseys. Fans sporting the “authentic” look — the gold piping on the neckline is a telltale sign — feel superior. Fans in “replica” attire wonder why anyone pays $120 for gold piping.
We lurch westward in a wandering route through Parramore. We pass the under-construction soccer stadium.
After the game, we make stabs at the attendance. We recap the goals and the so-unfair referee. If the home team wins — or, this year, if it’s a thrilling tie — someone starts the ORLAAAAAANDO cheer. The rest of the bus responds with “CIIIIII-TY.”
We’re bound by purple — and the desire to save 20 bucks or so on stadium parking.
Dewayne Bevil writes about theme parks and attractions. He can be reached at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com.
