MLS Cup contenders Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City Soccer are among the first teams to enter the 2012 Disney Pro Soccer Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort.
Sporting KC, which plays the Colorado Rapids Nov. 2 for a spot in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship, has been the Cinderella team of Major League Soccer this season with their worst-to-first run. Sporting KC is arguably the hottest team in MLS today and anchors what is expected to be another strong Disney Pro Soccer Classic field, Feb. 24-March 3, at Disney.
Sporting KC will have stiff competition from other MLS teams and Orlando City, which is the reigning United Soccer League champion and will be one of the teams to beat in the Classic. The Disney Pro Soccer Classic field has been expanded from five teams a year ago to eight teams in 2012. The remaining teams will be announced in the next several weeks.
“Having top-flight teams such as Sporting Kansas City and Orlando City enter our event underscores the popularity of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in the soccer world,’’ said Disney Sports manager Patrick Dicks. “When you combine the high-caliber soccer action with the opportunity to vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, this event will give soccer fans a one-of-a-kind pro soccer experience that will appeal to fans of all ages.’’
The Disney Pro Soccer Classic is just one of more than a dozen prestigious soccer events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which is the leading multi-sports venue in the nation and the official preseason training home of the MLS Toronto Football Club. Among the most high-profile soccer events at the Disney sports complex are Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the Disney Cup International and the MAAC Men’s Soccer Championships.
Travel packages are available for domestic MLS fans through AnthonyTravel.com and for all Canadian MLS fans through travelmerritt.com. The packages may include accommodations near Walt Disney World Resort and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, game tickets, ground transportation, discounted Disney theme park tickets, VIP access to the player and coaches meet-and-greets, etc.
About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 350 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the nation, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 250-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including Champion Stadium, the HP Field House, the Jostens Center, the Hess Sports Fields, a track & field facility, a tennis complex and a baseball/softball sportsplex. It is also home to the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group that develops ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3D television channel. In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, which can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex. The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Production Center with direct links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. For more information, visit http://www.disneysportsnews.com to download press releases, high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video. Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.
