Let's talk about Orlando's current soccer scene...

• Orlando City SC, the No. 2 seed in the eastern conference, took a 1-0 lead over Nashville SC in the best-of-three opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
• Rollins College Women's Soccer wrapped up their regular season in style, posting a 3-0 shutout over the Saint Leo Lions. The win clinched the #4 seed for Rollins in the SSC tournament, and they will host #5 Eckerd on Monday, Nov. 6.
• UCF Men’s Soccer claimed the first No. 1 national ranking in a regular season poll by a team in school history in the United Soccer Coaches’ week nine rankings, garnering 7 of 8 first-place votes.
• UCF Women's Soccer advanced to the semifinals of their inaugural Big 12 tournament this week, before falling to BYU. UCF will now await the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 6, to learn if head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and her squad have earned a berth to the NCAA tournament.

Around The Horn.

• It's hard for Orlando sports fans to ignore the drama happening on the West Coast between FIFA and Sofi Stadium, the home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and LA Chargers chosen to host games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Two Central Florida events were recognized as 2023 'Champions of Economic Impact' by Sports Destination Magazine this week: AAU's 50th Annual Junior National Volleyball Championships and ECNL's annual Boys and Girls Florida Regional/National Events. Congratulations to our partners at AAU, Orange County, Orange County Convention Center, Visit Orlando, ECNL and Seminole County! Read about these events and all of the winners here.
• The 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs have officially begun for Orlando City with a chippy 1-0 win over Nashville in Game 1 of their first-round series Monday night. A sensational goal from midfielder Wilder Cartagena and stellar performance by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese were enough for the Lions as they head to Nashville with a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
• The UCF Knights are new kids on the block in the Big 12, a league known for its growing basketball prowess. Darius Johnson is the only returning player who played significant minutes last season. CJ Walker is back after appearing in only four games last season because of injury. Dawkins is counting on transfers such as Shemarri Allen and Jaylin Sellers to make a difference.
• The Orlando Magic announced a multiyear partnership with Planet Fitness. The partnership makes the fitness and wellness giant the Official Fitness Center of the Orlando Magic. Planet Fitness also becomes the presenting partner of the Magic’s Fast Break Pass, a popular ticket option for Magic games offering fans up to five games a month for $49. 
• Grant Hill is back on the Orlando sports scene, but the former NBA guard/forward and Naismith Hall of Famer-turned-TV-analyst-turned-USA Basketball executive is adding to his resume yet again. Last week, Hill and his wife Tamia became limited ownership partners of the Orlando City and Orlando Pride franchises.
• The Cure Bowl has a new sponsor, as Avocados From Mexico takes over title rights for the postseason game. It’s the fifth title sponsor for the game which is owned and operated by ESPN and managed by Orlando Sports Foundation. In addition to partnering with the Cure Bowl, Avocados From Mexico is also branding with the College Football Playoff. It was the official sponsor of Tailgate Week on ESPN.
• The Orlando Solar Bears announced that their annual Food Festival presented by Publix will take place Saturday, April 1 prior to the team’s 7:00 p.m. game that evening against the Jacksonville Icemen at the AdventHealth Rink at Amway Center. The festival will take place on Church Street in front of Amway Center.
• UCF learned about its future Big 12 football schedule for the 2024-27 seasons after the conference announced its future schedule model this week. The Big 12 will have 16 teams with the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah while Texas and Oklahoma will depart for the SEC after this season.
• Join the Osceola Magic's first-ever Opening Night on November 16! The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive an Osceola Magic replica jersey, courtesy of presenting sponsor AdventHealth. 

Be a part of the magic of the 2023 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida at Walt Disney World® Resort on the racecourse and at the finish area. Click here to register now!

In The News.

• Are you ready to participate in the City of Orlando's General Election? On Tuesday, Nov. 7, residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes for various crucial positions, including Mayor, District 4 City Commissioner, and District 6 City Commissioner. Here's everything you need to know to make your voice heard on Election Day.
• SeaWorld Orlando is preparing educational sessions and behind-the-scenes looks for its Inside Look program, set for Saturday and Sunday at the theme park. The activities, included with regular park admission, will give glimpses of several areas that are rarely available to visitors, including aquariums, pools, food prep and the SeaWorld Rescue Center. Also included is the Family Activity Zone for games, crafts and activities and Water Works, which deals with life support systems.
• When Osceola Heritage Park opened in Kissimmee in 2003, the venue hosted the Silver Spurs Rodeo, the county fair and a handful of other events. Skip ahead 20 years, and the space, managed by ASM Global, has grown to host an average of 10 or more events per week, welcoming in an estimated 750,000 visitors annually and creating $108 million in economic impact for the Kissimmee area in 2023.
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer outlined a plan to use tourist-tax revenue to pay for an upgrade of Camping World Stadium, improvements to Amway Center and an addition to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
• A new immersive art experience on International Drive hopes to fill visitors with wonder and awe about our home planet. Earth Illuminated, which has been open since August at Pointe Orlando, presents dozens of art installations ripe for an Instagram post or a fun outing with friends.
• The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds took to the skies over Walt Disney World Resort in a thrilling display of precision flying that took them over not just one—but two—iconic theme parks in Central Florida for the first time ever. This patriotic flyover marked the arrival of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November as we salute those who give so much in service to our country.
• In the build-up to National Pumpkin Day, Walt Disney World created pumpkin-based treats for some full-time residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. These seasonal eats are more like enrichment, a physical or mental stimulation for the animals, than culinary delight. When the pumpkins were placed in their enclosure, the tortoises made beelines to the unexpected snack.

Plan your next team outing or office skip-day with the Orlando Solar Bears on February 19! Tickets are just $40 with this special offer, including lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. Click here to email a representative and secure your tickets today!

Stay Engaged.

• Thornton Park is one of Orlando’s most walkable neighborhoods and recognizable neighborhoods, due in part to its beautiful, iconic fountain at the intersection of Hyer Avenue and Washington Street, which has been lovingly maintained for the past two-plus decades. Go enjoy bites and sips from a colorful assortment of this charming district’s restaurants and bars via the 22nd Annual Taste of Thornton Park event today, November 2, from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Since 2002, College Park Main Street has hosted College Park JazzFest, one of the biggest and best community street festivals in Central Florida. This year's event features three stages and will have over 100 VIP tables, local shops and restaurants open onto the street. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day.
• Celebrate the season during the 52nd Annual Fall Fiesta in the Park at Lake Eola. Enjoy a day at beautiful Lake Eola Park and browse the works of local artists and crafters, enjoy live entertainment, food vendors and a huge kids' play area. This free event is family and pet friendly.
• Maker Faire Orlando will bring its annual celebration of do-it-yourself science, art, robots, and tech to the Central Florida Fairgrounds on November 4 and 5. The two-day annual festival will showcase local makers ranging from tech enthusiasts to garage scientists to crafters with hundreds of exhibits, combat robots, and more.
• Popular speaker series, The Winter Park Institute, is back in action as an independent non-profit, under the direction of Lauren Zimmerman and Jeffrey Blyndenburgh. The series is slated to return on November 10 with a talk entitled Empowering Voices, Building Futures, led by authors Ryan Craig and Stephen Shedletzky at the Bush Auditorium at Rollins College.
• The Festival of Trees, Nov. 11-19, presented by the Council of 101 kicks off the holiday season with dozens of designer-inspired decorated trees at Orlando Museum of Art. This year’s theme is “Enchanted Holidays,” with special events including breakfast with Santa, an ugly sweater day and a Reindeer Romp party.
• November 18 is an exciting day of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) exploration at Osceola Heritage Park. Get ready to dive into a world of innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning. From mind-blowing experiments to interactive exhibits, this event will leave you inspired and amazed.
• Get ready for a vibrant celebration of diversity at Fusion Fest! Immerse yourself in two days of captivating performances, delicious food and interactive experiences from more than 110 unique cultures. Don't miss this incredible festival for all ages in downtown Orlando on November 25 & 26.
• The Orange County Mayor’s Holiday Toy Drive celebrates 13 years of giving back to the community! Residents are encouraged to participate by donating a new, unwrapped toy or gift for children ages 18 and under. Purchase a gift online at the virtual toy store by Monday, December 4, 2023.
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering an extended Fun Card deal. Buyers now get unlimited visits to the theme park for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. The price is $131.99. A version also includes admission to the Aquatica water park through the end of 2024, and it sells for $189.99.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports was a proud sponsor of the MetaCenter Global Week tech conference recently hosted in Orlando. President & CEO Jason Siegel moderated a panel discussion with two TMRW Sports executives (the start-up is headquartered in nearby Winter Park) and took a look behind the curtain at their new tech-based golf league, TGL, which includes investors like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. The league will launch in January on ESPN.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Orlando Magazine's 50 Most Powerful event, pictured here with with South Florida State President Fred Hawkins and Florida House Representative and David Smith.

GO Sports Senior VP Michael Kalinich and his son attended partner Caribe Royale's World Featherweight Boxing Championship.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended USA Fencing's October North America Cup at the Orange County Convention Center, pictured with Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and former board member Dan Malasky attended an event at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts this week.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Orlando City's opening playoff match, pictured with City of Orlando Commissioner Robert Stuart.

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

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Fun & Games.



• Pictures: USAF Thunderbirds headline Orlando Air Show 2023
• Pictures: Orlando City wins first MLS playoff game against Nashville
• Behind the Scenes on a video shoot with the Orlando Solar Bears