Tour diary: History and heat at stadium visit
Albion got a trip down memory lane when they left the confines of their training ground for a taste of MLS glamour.
And they got a feeling of heat, too.
The Baggies took the 40-minute journey from their base in Lake Mary to the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando to get a feel for the stadium, and its artificial pitch, ahead of last night's game against Orlando City SC.
And they were left in no doubt about the demands that awaited them as they trained in temperatures of well above 30 degrees Celsius.
If the steep banking of the stadium seemed familiar to some of the older Albion players and staff, it was because it was used five times during the World Cup of 1994.
It hosted four group games including Ireland's 2-1 defeat to Mexico, and it was where the Irish adventure came to an end at the hands of Holland, who claimed a 2-0 victory in the last 16.The Citrus Bowl, which is just a short walk from the city's bars, holds around 60,000 people but the steep, top tier that provides fabulous views, is the only part of the stadium remaining from the World Cup.The lower levels have been ripped out and replaced with new seating.Orlando City SC, the newest team in the MLS, do not intend to stay long, however.
With the Citrus Bowl owned by city authorities, who claim income from parking and food sales, the club have started work on a new, 30,000-seat home a few miles away.
And, judging by the response to 'soccer' in central Florida, it could be full on a regular basis.
Orlando, who signed ex-Brazil star Kaka for their first season in the top division of the US game, are averaging crowds of more than 25,000 in a clear sign that the game is starting to gain traction on the historically difficult east coast market.
