On October 7, the Orlando City Council voted to approve the funding needed for a downtown soccer stadium, with a vote of 7-0.

This not only paves the way for the new stadium, but could also help score Orlando City Soccer Club a Major League Soccer franchise.

Next, it’s the county commissioners who will vote on it, and if everything passes, talks with MLS will begin. This means a deal for a franchise could be in place before the end of the year.

The vote also approves $25 million in additional tourist tax dollars to go to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, for completion of phase two of that project, and another $12 million to the Citrus Bowl renovation.