Orlando City’s 2017 season was one of change for the Lions. Orlando City Stadium took the spotlight as it opened its doors for the first time in March, while the end of the season also marked Kaká’s final game in purple. Let’s take a look back at the top five moments from this past season in Orlando.

#5: Rocket Rivas Stuns the Rapids

It was a long time coming. Carlos Rivas was never one to shy away from a shot from distance, but against the Colorado Rapids, he struck one perfectly. The forward, who had just come off the bench a few minutes before, was given the space and time to line up his shot. He stepped into it and hit a knuckling ball towards goal, which sailed past the outstretched hand of Zac MacMath to put the Lions up a goal. The crowd went into delirium, as did Rivas himself, as he celebrated his first of the season.

#4: LA Stoppage-Time Thriller

The Lions came into this game searching for their fourth straight win, going up against a talented LA Galaxy side. A goal from Will Johnson started the scoring, but a late equalizer by Romain Alessandrini had the two sides tied heading into stoppage time. A corner kick in the 91st minute gave the Lions a chance to break the deadlock and Cyle Larin stepped up to do just that. A powerful volley off the corner that beat the keeper and proved to be the winner for the Lions as they hung on for the 2-1 win. This match signified Orlando becoming the first team in MLS history to open a stadium with four straight wins.

#3: Dousing The Fire With 9 Men

On a rainy night in Orlando, disaster struck the Lions as they took on the Chicago Fire. One player sent off after 26 minutes and a second sent off after 66 minutes forced the Lions to play defensively throughout most of the match. At the time, Chicago was one of the hottest teams in the league, but the Lions and the fans in the stadium managed to cool off the Fire that June night at Orlando City Stadium. It was a performance worth the point Orlando earned, and boy, did they earn it. Players put their bodies on the line, Joe Bendik played out of his mind, and the team grinded out one of the most intense 0-0 draws the team has ever played.

#2: Goals on Goals on Goals Against New England

At least one game a season, everything seems to go right for a team. For Orlando City, their game just happened to come at the tail end of the season against New England. After going up a man for a very rare instance, the Lions took advantage. Antonio Nocerino got his first goal as a Lion, Dom Dwyer scored his first goal at home, Yoshi Yotun scored his first in purple and also notched two assists. The best goal of the night had to go to Kaká, who’s signature strike from the top of the box sent the crowd into a frenzy. At the end of it, Orlando recorded their best ever scoring output in MLS, winning 6-1.

#1: Welcome Home vs NYCFC

A special day calls for a special place on this list. After three years of patiently waiting, Orlando City Stadium hosted its first ever MLS match in March as the Lions opened up the 2017 season. Coming up against New York City FC, the match would end up being hard-fought. A Cyle Larin header early on would prove to be the difference as Orlando won it’s first home opener in a very fitting atmosphere. The sold out crowd created the atmosphere, the Lions fed off it and grinded out the result, which began the narrative of Orlando City’s new “fortress” becoming one of the toughest places to play in the league.