Orlando Feels Like Home for Yerry Mina

Nearly a decade removed from their most recent U.S. tour, Everton FC returns to the States this summer for this year’s Florida Cup in Orlando, with Toffees supporters from coast to coast expected to descend on Camping World Stadium for a pair of evening matches July 25 and 28.

The Blues are part of a stacked field for the 2021 event, joining historic English Premier League rival Arsenal, defending Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan and Colombian powerhouse Millonarios FC, which recently clinched a spot in Colombia’s Categoría Primera A championship.

Everton’s opener will also be a homecoming of sorts for Colombian megastars James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina, each of whom began their club careers in Primera A. And with more than a million residents of Colombian descent living in Florida, more than any other state in the country, a strong turnout is expected.

“We'll have so many Colombians around,” Mina said. “We will have our people supporting us, people who love you. This is really important, on top of the city and the country, which are incredible as well. It's like being in Colombia! Everything is really special.”

Mina spent the first four seasons of his senior career in the Categoría Primera A playing for Deportivo Pasto and Los Millos rival Santa Fe, so a little déjà vu is to be expected.

“Playing against Millonarios is always special,” the Everton center back shared. “To me it was always a derby that I looked forward to playing. We always had extra motivation for that match because we had this obligation to win against them — it was mandatory. Thank God I will have another opportunity to play against them, and I really want to win!”

The tournament will kick off the night of Sunday, July 25, with Arsenal and Inter Milan squaring off for the first time since 2007 in the other semifinal match. Single-day tickets provide admission to both games of the doubleheader. A two-day pass, which includes admission to four matches over two days, is also available starting at $113 plus taxes and fees.

Match start times, broadcast information and details regarding other ancillary Florida Cup events will be announced in due course. Fans interested in attending the Florida Cup can purchase tickets and exclusive travel packages on FloridaCup.com or Ticketmaster. Premium seating and group offers are also available on the Florida Cup website.