The City of Orlando approved a grant for the construction of a stadium, a condition to enter the MLS

US city of Orlando (Florida) has voted on the 07/10/2013, a grant of $ 20m (€ 15m) for the construction of a new "downtown, multi-purpose," football stadium, said the MLS (Major League Soccer, North American Professional Football League) on the same day. The presence of a dedicated football stadium was the last obstacle to the application of Orlando to join the MLS in 2015.

The project involves the construction of a 18,000-seat stadium, including a "fan" zone, 2500 business seats and 300 seats in boxes. The total cost, including the land and infrastructure, is estimated by the city of Orlando at $ 84m (€ 62m).

After the city of Orlando, it will be the turn of the Orange County, (Orlando being the county seat), to vote for the final stage in completion of stadium funding, on the 22/10/2013. "I am delighted to have the city behind us. This is obviously a very big step toward our goal of bringing MLS in Orlando," said Phil Rawlins, owner and president of Orlando City Soccer Club. We can now focus on the second vote that is only two weeks away," he added.

Don Garber, MLS deputy director…