Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer and Orlando City CEO Alex Leitão both sat on stage, but nearly every question during a news conference Saturday went to the man sitting between them — Bruce Arena, coach of the United States men’s national team.

Arena responded to inquiries about the city, the stadium, the future of the national team and the recently announced World Cup qualifier that will be held at Orlando City Stadium on Oct.6.

He addressed USA’s poor start to the The Hex, the final round of World Cup qualifying. After the U.S. lost the first two games, Arena said it made location selection for upcoming home matches more important.

“When we entered 2017, it was critical that we were able to select venues that would help the U.S. team,” Arena said shortly before Orlando City faced Sporting Kansas City. “We knew our last home game was going to be critical and perhaps the deciding factor in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. There could not be a better venue, a better city to select than Orlando.

“We know when we come here in October, there are gonna be 25,000 people here supporting the U.S. and giving us every chance to be victorious on the day.”

Arena further explained the benefits of playing in MLS stadiums versus NFL stadiums, citing San Jose’s Avaya Stadium and Columbus’ MAPFRE Stadium as positive examples.

“A lot of our opponents in CONCACAF qualifying have huge support in the United States, so we want to be in venues that I think are much more supportive of the U.S. team,” Arena said. “The bigger the venue becomes, the less favorable it is for the U.S. team. Although the stadiums would likely be filled, when we’re in the smaller stadiums the likelihood of it being largely a dominant crowd in favor of the U.S. team occurs.”

After the mayor said the qualifier added to Orlando’s reputation as “the capitol of soccer in the southeast United States,” he reiterated his desire to be in contention as a host city for the 2026 World Cup, with the U.S., Mexico and Canada favored to win the bid to host the games.

Dyer then turned to Arena with a smirk and said: “As the host team here, the home team has never lost a game in this stadium.”

Local potential

After the news conference, Arena scouted the Lions’ match.

Three names in particular stand out among fans hoping to see Orlando City players called up to the national team: Tommy Redding, Jonathan Spector and Joe Bendik.

Redding, 20, is away playing in the U-20 World Cup. He’s received high praise since turning pro in 2015.

“He’s still a young player, he needs to have a good tournament with the U-20s and then come back here and fight for his place with Orlando City,” Arena said. “If he can position himself to be in the first team and play on a regular basis, he’s certainly gonna be a player that’s got a future with the senior national team program as well.”

Spector, 31, played under Arena as a right back years ago. He debuted for the senior U.S. team in 2004 and was part of the 2010 World Cup squad, but he hasn’t been called up since 2015.

“I remember him,” Arena said. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well he’s played and he’s someone we’ll continue to look at.”

Fans call the loudest for Bendik, 28. The goalkeeper has performed admirably for the Lions since signing ahead of the 2016 season.

“I’ve followed him through the years,” Arena said. “As we continue to look at options for the Gold Cup, perhaps he’s going to be in consideration. He’s a good goalkeeper and at his age, he’s just beginning to get into his prime. Over the next couple of years, he’s going to prove whether he’s a keeper who can play at the international level as well, but certainly we’ll keep an eye on him.”

The goalkeeper position is especially difficult to break into now with highly-experienced players already on the U.S. roster and the team in a critical qualifying moment.

“We don’t have a margin for error and we can’t be flipping new players in and out because every game we play now we really have to win,” Arena said. “Our top three goalkeepers are Tim Howard, Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando. Those are very experienced players. However, saying that, after 2018, it’s likely they won’t be in the picture a whole lot longer.

“So, goalkeepers like Joe and others have to start stepping up this year and next to position themselves in the future.”

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com