Before we start looking at 2023 I want to invite you to look back at 2022 with these 10 things:
1- Thank you to everyone who came to our games, home and away. We had more support at away games than ever before and though the weather tested your resilience, you came thru in a very special way. Thank you for watching online (we know how hard that can be), sending messages on social media, understanding our growing pains, and your continued support.
2 - ADDING BY 3s New rivalries were forged in 2022 with the addition of 3 teams to our division and we were able to play 3 additional home games.The USL2 season is short. 14 regular-season games (7 home, 7 away). This year however we were able to host the first round of the US Open Cup, an away game that had to be played at our facility, and a playoff game. This added3 home games. That’s nearly 43% more games at our place!
3 - 62 REGISTERED PLAYERS Some names are more familiar to you than others. Offers to play professionally, injuries, family situations, etc. may have kept you from getting to know some of them. Some played an important role during practices by pushing and challenging the starters without much playing time. Everyone was important. All in all 62 players said yes to being a Buffalo in 2022.
4 - THE YEAR OF LOCAL YOUTH PLAYERS This year, more than any other, we saw several players from our local high school and youth program getting playing time during several matches.
5 - SUNSHINE STATE This season we had 4 games affected by weather delays. None of the games were canceled but 4 were affected including both the home and away games against Nona FC as well as the final game of the season against NC Fusion. Note for next season: less lightning, more goals.
6 - LUCKY NUMBER 6 During our run in the US Open, we had a fantastic home game against the Orlando Wolves. Plenty of goals to celebrate in the first game of the year during a time most players are not even allowed to play for us. 6x0 in front of the home crowd felt really good.
7 - CURSED NUMBER 6 During the second round of the Open Cup we took on one of the best teams inthe USL Championship. The score again, 6x0 but this time the other way around.Later in the year, we got to see the local MLS team, Orlando City SC, crownedCup champions here in Central Florida after a 3x0 win versus Sacramento FC(the USL Championship team that had knocked out 3 MLS teams to make it to the finals). Our “relationship” with the US Open has been excitingly-frustrating and even maddening at times but while watching the final game we can’t help but feel pride in the Buffalo for being a part of this competition.
8 - SEEING RED The makings of a rivalry against newcomer Nona FC.An unfortunate own goal (0x1), an unusual slip-up (0x2), and a red card made the game at home versus Nona FC frustratingly memorable. Final score 1x2.Days later the red card was overturned, as we were able to provide videoevidence. Glad it did get overturned, just too late to make a difference, makingit that much more aggravating.
9 - DOUBLE COMEBACKS This year we had 2 nail-bitting, eerie similar comebacks. Both ending in 3x2wins. First game, FC Miami City (away) had the Buffalo down 1x2 until the 85thminute of the game. We were able to score 2 goals in 2 minutes (85’ and 87’)and brought home an important win.Second, Caledonia FC (home) was even more exciting. The Buffalo was down1x2 until stoppage time. It wasn’t until the 92nd minute that the equalizer come and then at the 94th minute! Not only was the score the same but both goals were scored within 2 minutes at the very end of the matches AND the winning goals in both games were scored by the same player, Frederico Ferreira!
10 - THE LONGEST AND LATEST GAME We are no strangers to postseason games as we have qualified all but one year for the playoffs but it was in 2022 that the Buffalo got to bring playoff games home for the very first time.The pitch looked great. The players and staff felt ready. The game started off well and best of all, it was home! Then there was that slow-moving storm that kept us from playing for several hours… When we finally got back on the field the Buffalo looked like the better team. Asa new day approached none of our many shots on goal turned into the much needed winning goal. 2 halves, overtime, and then penalty kicks. 5 for them, 4 for us. The game which was scheduled for 7:00 PM, started at 7:30 PM and didn’t finish until almost 1:00 AM the next morning was over along with the season. It was overwhelming to see how many of you stayed until the bitter end. This game will go down as the longest/latest game in the club’s history but it won’t be remembered so much in terms of the score but more importantly in terms of the incredible support of the Buffalo family.
Thank you for 2022. Next season let's bring the championship home.
We want to win WITH and for YOU! Bring on 2023! LET’S GO BUFFALO!
