Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
Encyclopedia
The Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic is an annual preseason soccer tournament for clubs in North America
. Hosted by Disney, it contested at Hess Sports Fields' Field 17, part of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista
, Florida
. The tournament debuted with four teams in 2010 and is broadcast online by ESPN3.
FC Dallas
are the current holders of the trophy, having defeated local rivals
Houston Dynamo
on penalty kicks, 5-3, following a 1-1 draw in the final of the 2011 edition.
. Four Major League Soccer
clubs—FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC
were invited to participate in the weekend (Thursday through Saturday) knockout tournament. The tournament was held February 25–27, approximately one month before the regular season
kicked off on March 25. The tournament's first match was a scoreless draw between New York and Houston, with New York advancing on penalty kicks. Toronto then defeated Dallas in the second semifinal. The championship and consolation matches were played on Saturday, February 27, with the Dynamo rallying past Dallas, 2-1, to clinch third place and the Red Bulls defeating Toronto, 4-0, to clinch the title.
The second edition
featured expanded coverage, with the semifinals airing on MLSSoccer.com and the championship and consolation on ESPN3. Dallas, Toronto, and Houston returned from the inaugural edition; New York was replaced by host side, Orlando City, a recently relocated third division
club playing in the USL Professional Division. In the opener, the hosts were upended by 2010 MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas, 1-0, while Houston defeated Toronto, 3-2. In the consolation match, Orlando upset Toronto while FC Dallas earned their first-ever title with a 5-3 penalty kicks victory following a 1-1 draw.
For the 2012 edition, Disney has announced plans to expand the tournament to eight clubs. Unlike the previous knockout formats, there will be two groups of four clubs playing a group stage from February 24 through March 1 with a consolation and championship on March 3. Also, for the first time it will include a team from outside the United States and Canada league system
with BK Häcken
of Sweden's
Allsvenskan
joining returning clubs FC Dallas, Toronto FC, Houston, and hosts Orlando and newcomers Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the Montreal Impact.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Hosted by Disney, it contested at Hess Sports Fields' Field 17, part of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Lake Buena Vista is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. It is mostly known for being home to the Walt Disney World Resort. It is one of two Florida municipalities controlled by The Walt Disney Company, the other being Bay Lake....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The tournament debuted with four teams in 2010 and is broadcast online by ESPN3.
FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
are the current holders of the trophy, having defeated local rivals
Texas Derby
The Texas derby is a soccer rivalry between Texas's two MLS teams, Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, recognizing the best club in the state for the season. The two squads play a series of games with the series winner taking home El Capitán, a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon...
Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
on penalty kicks, 5-3, following a 1-1 draw in the final of the 2011 edition.
History
The inaugural event took place in 20102010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
The 2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic was a preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament, the inaugural edition of the Pro Soccer Classic, was held from February 25—27, 2011 and featured four Major League Soccer clubs.The...
. Four Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
clubs—FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls, and Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
were invited to participate in the weekend (Thursday through Saturday) knockout tournament. The tournament was held February 25–27, approximately one month before the regular season
2010 Major League Soccer season
The 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...
kicked off on March 25. The tournament's first match was a scoreless draw between New York and Houston, with New York advancing on penalty kicks. Toronto then defeated Dallas in the second semifinal. The championship and consolation matches were played on Saturday, February 27, with the Dynamo rallying past Dallas, 2-1, to clinch third place and the Red Bulls defeating Toronto, 4-0, to clinch the title.
The second edition
2011 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
The 2011 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic was a preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament, the second edition of the Pro Soccer Classic, was held from February 24—26, 2011 and featured three Major League Soccer clubs along...
featured expanded coverage, with the semifinals airing on MLSSoccer.com and the championship and consolation on ESPN3. Dallas, Toronto, and Houston returned from the inaugural edition; New York was replaced by host side, Orlando City, a recently relocated third division
USL Pro
The USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
club playing in the USL Professional Division. In the opener, the hosts were upended by 2010 MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas, 1-0, while Houston defeated Toronto, 3-2. In the consolation match, Orlando upset Toronto while FC Dallas earned their first-ever title with a 5-3 penalty kicks victory following a 1-1 draw.
For the 2012 edition, Disney has announced plans to expand the tournament to eight clubs. Unlike the previous knockout formats, there will be two groups of four clubs playing a group stage from February 24 through March 1 with a consolation and championship on March 3. Also, for the first time it will include a team from outside the United States and Canada league system
Canadian soccer pyramid
The Canadian soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in Canada. The governing body of soccer in the country is the Canadian Soccer Association , which oversees the system and domestic cups but does not operate any of its component leagues...
with BK Häcken
BK Häcken
BK Häcken is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. The club, formed on 2 August 1940, is currently playing in the Swedish premier division, Allsvenskan after being promoted in 2008.- The beginning :...
of Sweden's
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
joining returning clubs FC Dallas, Toronto FC, Houston, and hosts Orlando and newcomers Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and the Montreal Impact.
Results
| Year | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | 4th Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic The 2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic was a preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament, the inaugural edition of the Pro Soccer Classic, was held from February 25—27, 2011 and featured four Major League Soccer clubs.The... |
 New York Red Bulls |
 Toronto FCToronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
FC Dallas FC Dallas FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada... |
| 2011 2011 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic The 2011 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic was a preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament, the second edition of the Pro Soccer Classic, was held from February 24—26, 2011 and featured three Major League Soccer clubs along... |
FC Dallas FC Dallas FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
Orlando City |
Toronto FC Toronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... |
| 2012 2012 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic The 2012 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic is an upcoming preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex... |
TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |