Orlando Lions
- For the current Orlando soccer team that uses the nickname "Lions", see Orlando City S.C.
The Orlando Lions was an American 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 S.C. team, which has played in the third-tier USL Pro league since 2011.
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.
Former players
Tom Elias (1985)- Frank Arlasky (1989)
- Greg Brick (1990-1993)
Ian GIll (1989-1991)- Justin Bryant (1988)
- Rod Castro (1989)
- Paul Dougherty (1990)
- Oscar Draguicevich (1990)
- Mark Francis (1988–89)
Brian Haynes (1990) 20 Apps 9 Goals
Sebastian Janikowski at U-19 level, NFL placekicker- Lou Karbiener (1988)
Adrian Dane Kenny (1997) 
- Mark Lamb (1988)
- Bob Lilley (1989–90)
- Franklin McIntosh (1989)
Alan Rough (1988)- Tom Silvas (1990)
- Mark Simpson (1990)
- Christopher Sullivan (1989)
- Tom Wurdack
- John Mailander (1989–90)
- Ajit Korgaokar (1985–89)
Paul Holmes (1989–96)- Jeffrey Williams (1988)
- Kelly Walden (1989) Prac
- Bruce Leenim (1990-1991)
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | N/A | ASL | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1989 | N/A | ASL | 4th, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1990 | N/A | APSL | 3rd, ASL South | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
Yearly average attendance
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
| Year | Division | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | N/A | USISL | 1st, Southeast | Sizzling Six | Did not enter |
| 1993 | N/A | USISL | 1st, Southeast | Final | Did not enter |
| 1993/94 | N/A | USISL Indoor | 4th, Southeast | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1994 | 3 | USISL | 4th, Southeast | Divisional Semifinals | Did not enter |
| 1994/95 | N/A | USISL Indoor | 3rd, North/South | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1995 | "4" | USISL Premier League | 8th, Eastern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1995/96 | N/A | USISL Indoor | 2nd, Southeast | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1995 | "4" | USISL Premier League | 2nd, Southern | Did not qualify | Did not enter |
| 1996 | 4 | USISL Premier League | 2nd EC Southern | unknown | Did not enter |
Coaches
- Mark Dillon (1985-1988)
- John Higgins (1988-1989)
- Gary Hindley (1989-1990)
- Mark Dillon (1992-1993)
- Sergio Mora (1995)
- Steve Lions (1995–96) Indoor
Players
- Sheldon Lee (1992–93) 29 Apps 32 Goals
- Greg Brick 1990-1993
- Warren Russ (1993)
- Joseph Duarte (1995–96) Indoor GAA 2.5
- Michael "Mugs" Mugavero (1992–93) 25 Apps 7 goals 15 assists
- Kelly Walden (1993-1996)
- Darren Crampton (1993-1996)
- Bruce Leenim (1990-1991)
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
- ↑ Courtesy the A-League Archives, accessed February 5, 2012. Figures added and averaged. One home date out of 10 missing for 1988.
- ↑ Courtesy the A-League Archives, accessed February 5, 2012. Figures added and averaged.