INDOOR FOOTBALL MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO ORLANDO

When you think about the history of Indoor Football, it's a fascinating discussion when it comes cities that would be placed in the top tier of markets in terms of support, passion and knowledge about the 50-yard indoor war.

On any day of the week, that short list has to include Orlando.

Dating back to when indoor football first arrived in Orlando back in 1991, the fans in the "407" have enjoyed two league championships, three conference championships and nine division championships. It would be the understatement of the year to say that Indoor Football and the city of Orlando fits like a glove, but that history also includes some stops and starts…some years, here and there, when there was not a team in town.

But with the start of the Indoor Football League season, the latest hiatus came to and end with the relocation of the Massachusetts to Orlando. After a season opening win in New Mexico, the Pirates won their home opener this past Sunday beating the Quad City Steamwheelers 49-46 at the Kia Center.

Indoor football is officially back where it belongs…Orlando.

"Orlando, in my opinion, is the best city in America without an NFL team so we get to have and occupy this space," said Pirates Head Coach Rob Keefe. "This city is very knowledgeable about Indoor Football." 

Keefe is no stranger to Indoor Football in Orlando as he was a Head Coach and an Offensive Coordinator for a previous team. He has made Orlando his home and it was a no-brainer for the Pirates to name him their new Head Coach following the relocation. He brings with him to the Pirates an impressive playing and coaching resume that includes five Indoor Football championships. 

It was a match made in the shadows of the happiest place on earth.

"I love our coaching staff," said Keefe. "I love our organization. I love our front office and our players. I'm so happy for our fans that we're 2-0 right now." 

There's even more nostalgia on the Pirates with assistant coaches Les Moss and E.J. Burt who also have prior ties to Indoor Football in Orlando.

In their home opener, the Pirates treated their fans to an exciting, hard-fought win over a good Quad City team. The victory not only lifted the Pirates to a 2-0 record, but it also vaulted them up a spot to number two in the latest IFL Coaches Poll.

It's still a learning process for the players and coaches, but there is something about this team that the fans in Orlando are going to fall in love with. 

"I learned these guys are dogs," said Keefe. "They're warriors. That's what this is all about. This was the second game we played. A lot of new guys. I personally have only coached one person who has been on this team before so we're learning it. We just have to keep with the process. I'm really happy to be 2-0 and happy to get the win at home."

And the Pirates will take that 2-0 record into this Sunday's home game against the Tulsa Oilers (1-0) at the Kia Center (4pm ET Yahoo Sports Network). 

After an emotional win in the home opener, Keefe outlined this week's blueprint for success. 

"A lot of sleep because we have a game coming up (Sunday) against Tulsa," said Keefe. "It's a long season so we have to make sure we stay together and keep going."

Indoor Football fans in Orlando know a winner when they see one as they've seen a lot of wins dating back to the early 1990's. Now that the sport is back in town in the form of the Orlando Pirates, all is right in the Indoor Football world.

It's simply a better sport when Orlando is part of the game.