Defying Expectations is the authorized biography of the founding owner of Orlando City SC, Phil Rawlins, and his journey from Stoke-on-Trent in the heart of industrial Britain to The City Beautiful. It tells the full story of his business career, which he then parlayed into sports ownership, first with his beloved Stoke City and then in the USA with the fledgling Austin Aztex, who eventually becam
e Orlando City. It reveals how Phil and Kay created Six Core Values for their team and worked diligently and imaginatively to create a lasting sporting franchise. It also tells the story from all the other key people involved, from sports agent Gary Mellor to first head coach Adrian Heath, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, local entrepreneur John Bonner and Brzailian businessman Flavio Augusto da Silva, who became the majority owner and helped the team reach Major League Soccer. Key players like international soccer icon Kaka were also interviewed, along with many backroom staff. It all adds up to a comprehensive look at the creation of a major sporting entity, and how it became an essential part of the Central Florida community
