ORLANDO, Fla. (February 22, 2018) - Orlando City SC signs Abraham Valbuena as the Club’s first official eMLS competitor. Valbuena will represent the Club in the EA Sports FIFA 18 gaming league, eMLS, and in FIFA tournaments around the world.

“We’re excited to compete in the inaugural eMLS Cup and to have Abe represent our Club,” said Orlando City SC Sr. Director of Content Ed Cahill. “He has experience on the big stage. We think he can go up to PAX East and compete for eMLS Cup. He’s a very promising young player.”

Valbuena started playing FIFA against his two brothers 15 years ago and began playing FIFA competitively in 2016. Valbuena qualified for the FIFA Ultimate Team Champions in 2017 and competed as one of the 32 best players in North America.

“I’m excited to represent Orlando City. When I first heard that the Club was joining eMLS I was excited to represent a Florida team,” said Valbuena, who is originally from Venezuela but lives in Miami. “I’m really excited to represent this Club and to do my best.”

MLS entered the competitive gaming arena, partnering with EA Sports on the creation of eMLS, a new competitive EA Sports FIFA 18 league which will feature the best FIFA 18 players from the U.S. and Canada vying for a chance to become world champions.

Valbuena will represent Orlando City in the inaugural eMLS Cup from April 5-8 in Boston, Mass., and compete to represent MLS in the EA SPORTS FIFA 18 Global Series Playoffs. Currently, 19 MLS clubs compete in eMLS. Orlando Health is Orlando City's presenting sponsor for eMLS.