Antonio Nocerino's first season with Orlando City has not been easy.
The veteran Italian midfielder was signed at the beginning of the year and immediately received criticism for his stocky appearance and underwhelming play at midfield.
Fan outrage spiked after the MLS Players Union released 2016 salaries, which revealed Nocerino was the second-highest paid athlete on the team with a $650,000 guaranteed salary. The frustration came to a head when a video posted to social media showed fans yelling obscenities at Nocerino after a match after popular coach Adrian Heath was fired.
The reception Nocerino received walking off the pitch after Orlando City's 3-1 victory over New England Sunday was much different, however, and he hopes it's a turning point for his career with the Lions.