Orlando SeaWolves ready to host Brazil in first ever game
After months of preparation, since the team was introduced back in April, the time has finally come for Central Florida to get their first look at Orlando’s newest professional sports franchise. On Saturday, the Orlando SeaWolves will take part in the Indoor Soccer International Challenge at the Silver Spurs Arena, making their debut against the Brazil National Mini-football Team at 7:05pm. The match is part of a doubleheader that will also feature the Colombia National Mini-football Team taking on the Brazil National U21 squad at 3:05pm.
Offensively, the SeaWolves will be led by midfielder Gordy Gurson (pictured above.) The 2014/15 MASL Rookie of the Year was named to the league’s All-MASL Second Team that year and was All-MASL Third Team this year after leading the Cedar Rapids Rampage with 30 goals and 19 assists in 22 games. In the playoffs, Gurson exploded for 10 points in two games against the Milwaukee Wave.
On the defensive side, the SeaWolves will be led by defender Joshio Sandoval and goalkeeper Piotr Sliwa. Sandoval has missed only three games in his five-year MASL career and his teams have qualified for the playoffs four times. In his rookie season Sandoval helped the Chicago Mustangs to a Ron Newman Cup title. After three seasons with the Mustangs, Sandoval signed as a free agent with the Cedar Rapids Rampage, where he worked the last two seasons with SeaWolves General Manager Chris Kokalis. Last season he scored a career high 12 points and registered only eight penalty minutes in 22 games. In Sliwa’s four year MASL career, the Polish-born American citizen has amassed a 24-36 record with a 7.32 GAA, but has shown steady improvement each year. The 32-year old also serves as an assistant coach on the coaching staff.
The game will also mark the arena debut for former Orlando City players Luke Boden, Lewis Neal, Johnny Mendoza, Tyler Turner, and newly named Head Coach Tom Traxler.
Brazil will be led by arena soccer veterans Pablo da Silva and Ricardo “Ricardinho” Sobreira. Pablo is a nine-year veteran who spent seven seasons with the Milwaukee Wave and started last season with the Cedar Rapids Rampage, who traded him to the St. Louis Ambush for current SeaWolves forward Victor France. Pablo is one of the MASL’s top defenders and runs the offense like a point guard. Ricardinho has played the two seasons of his six year arena career with the Wave. The diminutive forward is known for his quickness and footwork.
Tickets for Saturday’s International Challenge are still available starting at just $15. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or in person at the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office. Doors for the 3:05pm matchup will open at 2:05pm with doors for the SeaWolves match opening at 6:05pm. There will be $2 draft beers, sodas, and hotdogs at the concession stands from doors open till kickoff. In addition the first 3,000 fans in attendance for the 7:05pm match will receive a free Luke Boden jersey t-shirt.
The SeaWolves will play 12 home games and 12 road games in the league’s regular season. The MASL represents the highest level of professional arena soccer in the world. Season tickets are on sale now starting as low as $10 per game. Go to http://www.orlandoseawolves.com/tickets to reserve yours today.
