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The FC Series 2025 will kick off its 10th edition this Wednesday, January 15th, in Orlando, Florida. Brazilian giants Cruzeiro EC and São Paulo FC will face each other to open the most traditional pre-season tournament for Brazilian clubs. Even though Brazilian football fans are accustomed to the tournament every year, it seems that Palmeiras’ president Leila Pereira, the Brazilian businesswoman who's taken the São Paulo-based club to several championships, had some not-so-pleased comments about this year’s competition.
Re-elected for a second term at Palmeiras, Pereira claimed in an interview this week that the Florida Cup serves merely as a pretext for club directors to enjoy a trip to the United States at the team’s expense.
The Pitchside US Staff
These comments from the leading figure in the front office of the massive football club sparked a heated debate among fans and directors from clubs across the country. It even prompted São Paulo’s president, Julio Casares, to address the matter publicly during the unveiling of new signing Oscar at the Astoria Hotel yesterday. During the press conference, Casares praised every aspect of this year’s FC Series. At one point, he stated that this was probably the best pre-season preparation São Paulo had ever had in all his years as the club’s president.
Oscar Takes The Podium
During the official presentation to the media, the former Chelsea man agreed with Casares' words and added that the intense twice-daily training sessions have been very helpful in his adaptation process to his new home. Oscar spent the last seven years playing for the Chinese club Shanghai Port, before agreeing to head home, to São Paulo FC.
Today, during Oscar’s introductory press conference in Orlando, I asked him if he had received any interest from MLS clubs in the past few months. His answer was, 'I didn’t receive anything from MLS.'#MLS #SPFC pic.twitter.com/jtm90UQzsL
— Gustavo Lopes 🇧🇷🇺🇸 (@SoccerWithGus) January 15, 2025
@SoccerWithGus / X
Cruzeiro midfielder and Palmeiras legend Dudu also defended the U.S. pre-season but has also been embroiled in a public social media feud with his former boss. The latter is set to file a lawsuit against the player over comments made in a recent Instagram story.
During our time in Orlando covering the FC Series, various members of different clubs participating in this edition, as well as members of Fortaleza EC, who are also doing their pre-season in the United States, all assured us of how successful this idea of coming to the U.S. has been.
Orlando’s pleasant winter weather, coupled with excellent facilities, offers a significant advantage over São Paulo’s hot and rainy summer. That goes without saying that brand exposure and marketing campaigns all play a crucial role and were significant factors in the decision for clubs to come to the U.S.
Brazilian Matchups during the FC Series
Cruzeiro and São Paulo will play at the Inter & Co Stadium, home of Orlando City, at 7:30 PM (Eastern Time) this Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Cruzeiro will face Atlético in the 'Derby de Minas' on Saturday (18) at 3 PM, also at the Inter & Co Stadium.
The following day, Flamengo will be the home team against São Paulo at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale.
