A February Hat Trick for Orlando's New Soccer Stadium?

The Orlando City Council has moved to buy land spanning two blocks in the citys downtown, which could be the future site of a soccer stadium for the Orlando City Lions.

The council took action Monday, accepting a deal to purchase four parcels of land one block from the Orlando Magics home court, the Amway Center, for $4 million, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Orlando City SC, a minor league soccer team, has been vying for a bid to enter Major League Soccer. In order to make the jump, the team requires a smaller stadium designed for soccer, which would seat between 18,000 to 25,000 people. Talks have been ongoing for two years between the Lions and MLS officials. Florida does not have a major league team for soccer.

City officials' agreement to purchase the land can be seen as a third win in February for the team. Earlier this month, Flio Augusto da Silva, a Brazilian entrepreneur, became part of the Orlando City SCs ownership. His investment is set to be used for the clubs push into MLS, including the need for a public/private-funded, multipurpose soccer-specific stadium, estimated to cost roughly $100 million.

Club owners and Orlando officials are also watching SB 358 by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, and HB 219 by Rep. Bryan Nelson, R-Apopka, which would allow for the certification of two Major League Soccer franchise facilities by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) as new professional sports franchises. The two franchises that meet eligibility criteria would be eligible to receive a sales tax distribution payment of approximately $2 million per year for 30 years.

On Feb. 19, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee voted unanimously in support of SB358.

All said, it's been a pretty good February for Orlando's soccer fans.