The Soccer Institute and Montverde Academy (SIMA) is partnering with Orlando City B to advance and develop talent throughout central Florida. SIMA is already home to the Orlando City Development Academy and is proud to host the Orlando City B, the reserve team, for the 2019 season in the new third division.

Montverde Academy is now becoming the hub of soccer development with more talent coming from the Orlando area and will promote the growth of the Orlando City Soccer Club. There are many benefits to OCB moving to Montverde Academy including the upgraded training facilities and location.

OCB General Manager, Mike Potempa, is also the Director of SIMA and looks to develop athletes into first-team players for Orlando City. Montverde Academy is officially home to the Orlando City B reserve team and their Development Academy and will be the site for training and home matches.

“The idea is to give players more than a collegiate three month season, but to take talented athletes who can take the next step into OCB and then become first team talent for Orlando City,” said Potempa.

OCB is returning after a nomadic start and a year off. They plan to take the field in the spring and progress towards a more competitive atmosphere where professional and SIMA players are training and learning from each other in the same facility.

“We want to provide an avenue through OCB where academy players can see a professional team on campus training and playing every day,” said Potempa. “This will provide the next step between the academy and MLS first team when they are seeing some of their own promoted.”

Orlando City and Montverde Academy are eager to start the season with great talent and watch the game of soccer develop in the area. Fans and players can look forward to an improved atmosphere in a smaller stadium, better-suited crowds of this size.