Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic 2013
History:
The Disney Pro Classic is played at Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament was founded in 2010 with four teams participating, they were FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC. Since 2010, the tournament has grown and welcomed clubs from outside MLS including teams from the NASL, USL PRO, and a club from Sweden.
In 2011, Orlando City replaced the New York Red Bulls adding some local flavor to the pre season tournament, Orlando City upset Toronto FC in a consolation match. Last year’s edition of the tournament changed the format knockout to two four-team groups stages followed by a championship day. The 2012 participants were host club Orlando City, FC Dallas, Toronto FC, Houston Dynamo, Montreal Impact, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and BK Hacken of Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
Past Champions:
2010- New York Red Bulls defeated Toronto 4-0
2011- FC Dallas defeated Houston Dynamo 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw
2012- Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated Toronto FC 1-0
2013 Participants:
Group A:
Orlando City
Toronto FC
Philadelphia Union
Columbus Crew
Group B:
D.C. United
Montreal Impact
Sporting Kansas City
Tampa Bay Rowdies
In this year’s edition of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic we will see some new clubs participating. New participants include NASL’s Tampa Rowdies along with D.C. United, Columbus Crew, and the Philadelphia Union. The format for the tournament will be same as 2012, a group stage followed by a championship day based on the standings.
There are some very interesting matches this year. Philadelphia will look to avenge a defeat to Orlando City in last year’s pre season and start a succesful first full season with head coach John Hackworth. Toronto FC would like to claim victory against Orlando City after being defeated by them in 2011. D.C United will take to the fields at Disney World for the first time against Tampa Rowdies who made the short trip up I-4 for the first time.
Schedule:
| Saturday, February 9, 2013 | |||
| Session 1 | |||
| 1:00 p.m. | Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City | ||
| Session 2 | |||
| 6:00 p.m. | Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Philadelphia Union | ||
| 8:00 p.m. | D.C. United vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies | ||
| Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | |||
| Session 3 | |||
| 1:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact | ||
| Session 4 | |||
| 6:00 p.m. | Sporting Kansas City vs. D.C. United | ||
| 8:00 p.m. | Toronto FC vs. Orlando City Soccer Club | ||
| Saturday, February 16, 2013 | |||
| Session 5 | |||
| 1:00 p.m. | Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC | ||
| Session 6 | |||
| 6:00 p.m. | Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Columbus Crew | ||
| 8:00 p.m. | Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Sporting Kansas City | ||
| Saturday, February 23, 2013 Pro Soccer Classic Championship Day | |||
| Session 7 | |||
| 1:00 p.m. | Consolation Game | ||
| 3:00 p.m. | Consolation Game | ||
| Session 8 | |||
| 6:00 p.m. | Consolation Game | ||
| 8:00 p.m. | Championship Game | ||
Matches will be televised on ESPN 3