Table of Contents
São Paulo FC has landed in Florida to begin their 2025 campaign in style, participating in the FC Series alongside fellow Brazilian clubs Atlético, Cruzeiro and Flamengo. The iconic Tricolor Paulista has made Orlando its temporary base as they gear up for two high-profile matches: a clash against Cruzeiro on January 15 at Inter and Co. Stadium in Orlando, followed by a showdown with Flamengo in Fort Lauderdale, at Chase Stadium, on Jan 19th.
The team has been hard at work in the Sunshine State, holding intensive training sessions at the University of Central Florida (UCF) grounds. Under the watchful eye of assistant coach Muricy Ramalho, head coach Luis Zubeldía is refining the squad’s tactics and integrating new arrivals into the team. Among those catching the eye in training are Lucas Moura, a São Paulo legend making his second stint at the club, and Oscar, the former Chelsea man and marquee signing of the season. The Brazilian playmaker, who joined São Paulo after a decade abroad, is expected to be a pivotal figure in the club’s ambitions this year.
Adding a bit of local flavor to their preseason preparations, São Paulo’s players and staff attended an Orlando Magic NBA game earlier this week. The outing provided a welcome break from training and an opportunity for the squad to bond while soaking in some American sports culture.
The FC Series offers a unique opportunity for São Paulo to fine-tune their squad against strong competition. Facing Cruzeiro and Flamengo, both of whom are coming off solid 2024 campaigns, will serve as a litmus test for Zubeldía’s side. São Paulo fans are eager to see how the team performs, particularly with high hopes riding on Lucas Moura and Oscar to deliver on the field.
The match against Cruzeiro kicks off on January 15 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, followed by the Flamengo game in Fort Lauderdale on January 19th, shortly after. For fans in Florida, this is a rare chance to catch some of the best Brazilian soccer talents in action and witness São Paulo FC’s preparations for what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.
Cover: (Gutierre Filmes / FC Series)
