The Orlando Lions were 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 SC team, which played in the third-tier USL Pro league between 2010 and 2014, and now plays in Major League Soccer. 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. Year-by-year Yearly average attendance 1988 - 2,736 1989 - 2,761 1990 - not available 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 Coaches Mark Dillon (1985-1988, 1992-1993) John Higgins (1988-1989) Gary Hindley (1989-1990) Sergio Mora (1995) Steve Lions (1995–96) Indoor 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 Defunct soccer clubs in Florida American Soccer League (1988–89) teams American Professional Soccer League teams Soccer clubs in Orlando, Florida Soccer clubs in Florida 1985 establishments in Florida 1996 disestablishments in Florida Association football clubs established in 1985 Association football clubs disestablished in 1996