Orlando City SC

2023 US Open Cup Round 4: Charlotte FC makes Orlando City a rare one-and-done defending champ

May 10, 2023 by Dave Hodges

Kamil Jozwiak of Charlotte FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Orlando City SC. Photo: Charlotte FC

On a beautiful evening in the Queen City, Charlotte FC welcomed the defending US Open Cup Champions, Orlando City to town. The second-year MLS franchise used a second half goal from Kamil Jozwiak to eliminate Orlando, 1-0.

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It marked just the third time in the tournament’s Modern Era (1995-present) that the defending champion didn’t advance in its opening game.

Both teams tried to find the momentum early and set the tone of the match. Things would get heated from the beginning as each squad would see a yellow card handed to them.

Charlotte and Orlando would create opportunities, however neither team would find the back of the net in the first half.

The breakthrough wouldn’t arrive until the 70th minute, when substitute Kamil Jozwiak would put the ball in the bottom corner of the goal for the Crown.

Some confusion would surround the goal however, as it appeared the referee was about to blow his whistle for a foul. But Jozwiak kept going to find his second goal in as many US Open Cup matches.

“In these types of games, we have to be focused from the beginning, and score the first goal,” said Jozwiak in the post-game press conference.

Match. Winner. #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/ttLZjH5GDo
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) May 10, 2023

Charlotte head coach Christian Lattanzio also spoke of Jozwiak being “hangry in training, and wanting more”.

One more yellow card would be handed out to Charlotte FC and two more to Orlando City before the referee would blow his whistle to signal full time.

Orlando joins the 2003 Columbus Crew and the 2007 Chicago Fire as the only defending champs to be “one-and-done.”

Charlotte FC will now await their next US Open Cup opponent on Thursday.

2022 US Open Cup Final: Orlando City’s Facundo Torres voted TheCup.us Player of the Round

September 20, 2022 by Rich Flemings

Ivan Angulo (left) and Facundo Torres of Orlando City SC celebrate during the club’s 3-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo Credit: Luis Corazon

The theatrical elements were there: scoreless in the late stages of the second half, surrounded by a sold-out crowd in the home stadium, and the US Open Cup Final on the line. All that was needed was a man of the hour. A star. A hero. The limelight scanned the stage and found Orlando City winger Facundo Torres, who proved he was ready to carry the show. In the last 15 minutes of the match, Torres scored two goals and provided an assist in extra time to deliver the first trophy to Orlando City SC since they joined Major League Soccer (MLS). With this performance, Torres was also voted as TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Finals of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Player of the Round award is voted by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’s Patreon team.

“I just got here and I’m already a part of Orlando’s club history,” Torres said. “I’m really happy about how the night went with the two goals and being a part of Orlando’s club history.”

Torres joined Orlando City SC on January 24th, 2022 as a club-record signing Designated Player. Having joined from his hometown club in Uruguay, Club Atlético Peñarol, Torres had to adjust to the style and physicality of the MLS. If you ask those in the clubhouse, he’s evolved and overcome many of those obstacles.

“If you’ve been watching Orlando, you’ve seen the evolution of Facundo,” said Orlando City General Manager, Luis Muzzi. “He’s much more free-flowing and confident, he knows the league and the opponents. He knows the flights, the variables.”

His confidence allowed him to score a left-footed shot past Sacramento’s goalkeeper in the 75th minute to break the deadlock. The second goal of the night came in the 80th minute, when Torres scored a penalty kick that was earned by teammate Benji Michel. To cap off the night, Torres thread the needle and provided Michel the key pass needed to score in second-half stoppage time. Playing USL Championship club Sacramento Republic in the Final posed unfamiliar challenges to Torres and the rest of his teammates.

“Especially with a team that we don’t know so well and can actually be dangerous, the key for the match, up to the 70th minute, was to be able to keep calm and find those three goals,” Torres said.

By the final whistle, Torres led his club with two goals, six shots, and three chances created. His two goals allowed him to finish the tournament with four total, which led the club. He also carried a passing accuracy of 83% across 47 passes and even displayed some defensive acumen, winning 6 of 9 ground duels. His distribution in the final third also earned him heavy praise after the game.

When asked about Torres, Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja said, “I think those players that change the game and take their teams on their shoulders are difficult to find.” Pareja added, “In Facu, we have found that already. This one game, he just took that magical moment that brought us.”

“He’s such a smart player, he’s an all-around player,” said Ricardo Moreira, Orlando City Technical Director. “He moves around and finds pockets of space, so he needed to adapt to the game and we needed to adapt to Facundo. I’d say the sky’s the limit, I’m very happy with his performances.” Moreira also added, “Every place we play away from home, you can see Uruguayan fans singing for him, he’s got his own personal fan clubs. It’s amazing.”

There are few stages big enough to handle his current ascent to stardom, but one remains elusive: the World Cup. The Uruguayan hopes this performance was enough to join La Celeste in Qatar in November. Beyond that, Torres could be lured to European leagues.

“I hope we can keep him for a lot longer,” Muzzi added. “He’s a player who will definitely be playing for one of the big clubs from Europe one day. But it’s not going to be now. Hopefully we can get a few trophies before he goes.”

Orlando City fans certainly hope he sticks around, as well. They’ve already won the US Open Cup. Now it’s time for the club to win the MLS, then the CONCACAF Champions League. With Torres on their roster, that trophy case has a good chance of getting crowded before he leaves.

2022 US Open Cup Final: Orlando City blanks underdog Sacramento Republic to become 2nd Florida team to lift trophy

September 8, 2022 by Austin David

Orlando City SC celebrate the 2022 US Open Cup championship after a 3-0 win over the Sacramento Republic. Photo: Mathieu Starke

It finally happened. After eight seasons in Major League Soccer, Orlando City finally lifted their first silverware as they beat Sacramento Republic 3-0 on Wednesday night.

The Lions scored all three of their goals with only 15 minutes to go in the match, as the USL Championship side held the game scoreless for the majority.

“I think it’s important to recognize that Orlando has won the first style here,” head coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “We are very proud of the community of the club, the fans, the players and have this opportunity to bring this trophy means a lot. We’re proud. Congratulations to all involved in this trophy. We are very grateful for tonight, and we’ll hope to continue and just give a lot of joy to the community.”

Pareja’s Open Cup win makes him just the second coach in the Modern Era (1995-present) to win a title with two different clubs, doing so with FC Dallas back in 2016. The only other to do it is the late Sigi Schmid when he won with LA Galaxy in 2001 and with the Seattle Sounders four times (2009-11, 2014).

WHAT A BEAUTY ???? #MagicOfTheCup | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/5ELOGerrAH
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 8, 2022

After a scoreless first 74 minutes of action, the Lions broke through thanks to a combination of Ivan Angulo, Benji Michel and Facundo Torres. After Sacramento began to build out of the back, pressure from Angulo and Michel forced a turnover, allowing Michel to get off a pass to Torres to bend a shot around Danny Vitiello to break the deadlock.

Just five minutes later, Michel was involved in the second goal, as Dan Casey took down the Orlando homegrown player in the box. Facundo Torres stepped up and buried the penalty to double the lead for the Lions in the 80th minute.

That goal by Torres made him the fifth player in the Modern Era to have scored multiple goals in an Open Cup Final and the first to do it since 2016, when Oscar Pareja’s FC Dallas won, and Maxi Urruti notched a brace.

The Lions would add the cherry on top as Michel got in behind the Republic backline and tapped home the third, sealing the win for the Lions.

76' | Right place, right time ???? @facutorresss | #DaleMiAMmor pic.twitter.com/z1b5DP35H3
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 8, 2022

“They have a defense of three that is very difficult to break,” Pareja said on Michel. “We knew that Ercan will give us presence in the box, but there was a time in the game that we stuck (Michel) in there because we needed to stretch the field. Benji gave us that possibility to run in behind, to help us with the presence too. It was a good job by Ercan but at that point we needed more energy. And I thought Benji changed (the energy) tremendously.”

Wednesday’s result also marks the first time a Florida team has won the Open Cup since the St. Petersburg Kickers when they lifted the trophy in 1989. Fittingly, that same 1989 Kickers team was honored with a pre-game ceremony.

Orlando becomes the fifth team of the Modern Era to win the tournament while playing every game at home. They join the 2006 Chicago Fire, 2008 D.C. United, 2011 Seattle Sounders and the 2018 Houston Dynamo. Although, the Lions are the first to play six home games in a competition.

The home crowd was definitely a factor with a sold-out Exploria Stadium. The announced crowd of 25,527 was the eighth-largest crowd to ever watch a US Open Cup match in the tournament’s 107-year history. It was also the fourth largest crowd for a championship game.

In addition to lifting the club’s first major trophy, Orlando also wins $300,000 in prize money and qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions League. Sacramento earns $100,000 as the runner-up.

That's a lot of champagne ???? pic.twitter.com/JAHE8yDBnm
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 8, 2022

The Lions will host a Championship celebration tomorrow at City Hall, with festivities kicking off at noon. The win also means the Orlando City flag will fly at City Hall in Sacramento as the mayors of each city placed a friendly wager on the game. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg will also have to make a contribution to a charity of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s choosing.

PHOTO GALLERY by Mathieu Starke

2022 US Open Cup Final Preview: Orlando City hosts Sacramento Republic as both seek to make history

September 7, 2022 by TheCup.us Staff

Ever since Major League Soccer (MLS) first entered the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in 1996, America’s top-tier of professional soccer has won the trophy every year except one. On Wednesday night, the Sacramento Republic FC, the underdogs from the second-tier USL Championship, will travel to Florida to take on Orlando City SC. Sacramento will look to replicate the success of the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos by winning the 107th edition of the tournament.

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 USOC Results/Schedule
2022 USOC Statistical Leaders
2023 USOC Qualifying Results

TheCup.us Player of the Round winners

HISTORY
* Former USL Pro opponents take winding roads
to meet again in 2022 US Open Cup Final
* San Francisco Bay Seals, the ‘amateur’ pro
team that reached 1997 US Open Cup Semifinals
* How St. Petersburg Kickers became Florida’s
first US Open Cup champion

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Wednesday night will be the fourth time a non-MLS club has ever competed in the Final since 1996 and only the third different team to do so. If Sacramento wins the Cup, they’ll do so by also joining the Rhinos in eliminating four MLS clubs en route to the hardware.

On the other side, Orlando City will try to win their first major trophy in front of their home fans. On top of that, they will try to become just the second Florida team in history to lift the trophy.

It also marks the first time that a team from Florida and a team from California will meet in the Final.

In addition to $300,000 in prize money, the winner will also earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Final will be broadcast live on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Sacramento Republic (USL-C) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium; Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

Sacramento Republic FC players celebrate after defeating Sporting KC 5-4 in a PK shootout (after a scoreless draw) in the 2022 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

SACRAMENTO SEEKING TO COMPLETE RARE UNDERDOG STORY
By Rich Flemings

After missing out on the 2021 USL Championship playoffs, the Sacramento Republic FC revamped their roster and has reinserted themselves into the playoff discussions. As the postseason looms, Sacramento is flirting with the possibility of even hosting a first-round playoff match. They enter Wednesday night’s final having lost two of their last three league matches.

Throughout the 2022 US Open Cup tournament, Sacramento has yet to trail in a single match. Aside from the semifinal match against Sporting Kansas City, Sacramento was able to take an early lead in every match by way of a first-half goal.

Sacramento showed no difficulty in casting aside the Portland Timbers U-23s, taking a 6-0 lead at halftime and not looking back.

In the third round, Central Valley Fuego equalized in the second half, but Sacramento’s Rodrigo Lopez scored a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to dismiss the USL League One club.

The Fourth Round saw Sacramento face a familiar foe in fellow USL-C club Phoenix Rising. The Republic scored an early goal from Luis Felipe and a late goal by Douglas Martinez and added another home victory to their tournament run.

Sacramento was able to exorcise their demons in the Round of 16 by defeating MLS club San Jose Earthquakes for the first time in five attempts.

While playing LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals, Sacramento was finally able to bring a touch of their home magic with them on the road and defeated their second MLS squad in the tournament.

The Semifinals were decided from the penalty spot and Sacramento was able to outlast Sporting Kansas City in front of a raucous and joyful Sacramento crowd.

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 18-6-2 (1-1 PKs)
Home: 16-1-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs MLS: 4-4-2 (1-1 PKs)
Best finish: 2022 Final

Current Season
12-7-8, 35 GF 29 GA, 4th in USL Championship – Western Conference
Goal scoring leader: Tied – Maalique Foster & Douglas Martínez, 5
Assists leader: Rodrigo López, 7
Goalkeeping leader: Danny Vitiello, 18 games, 1.0 GAA/5 Clean sheets

Last three games
August 13^th (USLC): 0-1 loss at Monterrey Bay FC
August 17^th (USLC): 3-0 win vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
August 20^th (USLC): 1-2 loss at Las Vegas Lights FC

Non-MLS Finalists since 1996:

Rochester Rhinos
- 1996: Runner-up
- 1999: Champion
Charleston Battery
- 2008: Runner-up
Sacramento Republic FC
- 2022: TBD

History behind California clubs in US Open Cup

Including this year’s Final, there have been 34 Finals with a California-based club vying for the Cup. 15 of those 34 were successful in winning the cup.
5-time champion: Maccabee AC (Los Angeles)
2-time champion: Greek-American AC (San Francisco), LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Kickers
1-time champion: McIlvaine Canvasbacks, CD Mexico, San Francisco IAC, San Jose Oaks
Modern Era: LA Galaxy (2-time winner)

How Sacramento Republic got to the Final:
Round 2: Won 6-0 vs Portland Timbers U23 (USL2)
Round 3: Won 2-1 vs Central Valley Fuego (USL1)
Round 4: Won 2-0 vs Phoenix Rising (USLC)
Round of 16: Won 2-0 vs San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 2-1 vs LA Galaxy (MLS)
Semifinals: Won 0-0 (5-4 PKs) vs Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Orlando City SC players celebrate after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Orlando City SC

ORLANDO CITY: FIVE WINS DOWN, ONE TO GO
by Austin David

Orlando City are chasing their first trophy in their history in MLS as they get the chance to host the US Open Cup Final against Sacramento Republic.

After hosting every match so far in their cup run, the Lions have a chance to cap a historic day by becoming just the second Florida club in tournament history to lift the trophy.

Coming into the match, Orlando have won their last three matches thanks to goals in the 89th minute or later, riding a four game winning streak through the month of August. The team is now hoping that their good fortune and red hot offense will make a difference in the biggest game in club history.

With Sacramento coming in winning their last two of four, Lions Head Coach Oscar Pareja was quick to point out how his side is not taking their opponents lightly.

“It’s a very good team,” Pareja said on Tuesday, “We have the most respect for them and their coaches and obviously they are here for a reason. Their journey has not been easy to get to this point. So we have been approaching this match and our preparation has been very precise like any other competition, obviously, but this will be in a final. Recognizing what they can do to hurt us and like any other team, what weaknesses we can find and making our game plan clearer for the players.”

The two teams have played eachother only once in their history, back when Orlando City was still in USL Pro. Sacramento was just playing their inaugural season as the Lions were primed for an MLS move the next year. That game, played out in Sacremento, ended in a scoreless draw. Rodrigo Lopez played a full 90 minutes in that match.

With Orlando in the final, they become the third Florida team to make it all the way, joining the St. Petersburg Kickers and the Miami Fusion (MLS). This is the first time in 22 years that a Florida team has participated in the final.

Teams from Florida in the Open Cup Final

1989 St. Petersburg Kickers *
2000 Miami Fusion
*-Won US Open Cup

How Orlando City SC got to the Finals

Round 3: Won 2-1 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Round 4: Won 2-1 vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Round of 16: Drew 1-1 vs. Inter Miami CF (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 4-2
Quarterfinals: Drew 1-1 vs. Nashville SC (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 6-5
Semifinals: Won 5-1 vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Orlando opened their 2022 Open Cup run with a 2-1 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship in the Third Round. Alexandre Pato and Junior Urso scored second-half goals.

The Lions followed the same script in the Fourth Round when they hosted the Philadelphia Union. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Orlando scored a pair of goals by Ercan Kara, and a 30-yard rocket from Andres Perea early in the second half. And once again, despite giving up a goal in the 77th minute, Orlando held on for the 2-1 win.

In the Round of 16, it was another matchup of teams from the Sunshine State as Inter Miami CF traveled to Orlando. While there were no goals scored in the first half for the third game in a row, there was also no scoring in the second half. In extra time, the game came alive as each team traded goals in the first seven minutes. Jean Mota would open the scoring in the 94th minute, and Facundo Torres would equalize three minutes later for Orlando. The match would end up in a penalty kick shootout and for the fourth time in as many tries in team history, Orlando would prevail, winning 4-2.

The Quarterfinals saw Orlando City going to penalties once again, this time to topple Nashville SC after a 1-1 extra-time draw. After Hany Mukhtar gave Nashville a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute, Orlando needed every bit of the remaining time to find their equalizer. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Rodrigo Schlegel sent to game to extra time, scoring from a free kick sent into the goalmouth. After a scoreless extra time. Orlando finally prevailed when goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved Eric Miller’s penalty to give Orlando a 6-5 shootout win.

Heading into the Semifinals, there were a lot of questions surrounding Orlando’s offensive output over their last number of games. Oscar Pareja went with a new look front line and it paid off and then some. After the Red Bulls opened the scoring late in the first half, Cesar Araujo tied things up just before the half. That led to four goals unanswered in second half for the Lions, en route to a dominant 5-1 win over New York and a first berth to the Open Cup Final.

Orlando City SC (MLS)

12th US Open Cup appearance (6th as MLS)
Overall: 20-11-5 (5-0 PKs) | as MLS: 8-5-5 (5-0 PKs)
Home: 14-4-3 (3-0 PKs) | as MLS: 5-3-3 (3-0 PKs)
MLS: 6-9-4 (4-0 PKs) | as MLS: 4-3-4 (4-0 PKs)
Best finish: 2022 Final

Current Season
12-6-10 (42 pts.) 35 GF 40 GA, 5th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goalscoring leader: Ercan Kara, 9
Assists leader: Mauricio Pereyra, Facundo Torres, 9
Goalkeeping leader: Pedro Gallese, 27 games, 1.44 GAA / 8 clean sheets

Last Three Games

August 21 (MLS): 2-1 win at Charlotte FC
August 28 (MLS): 2-1 win vs New York City FC
August 31 (MLS): 3-2 win vs Seattle Sounders

Former USL Pro opponents take winding roads to meet again in 2022 US Open Cup Final

September 7, 2022 by Grace Ott

With an announced crowd of 18,461, Orlando City SC supporters achieved the third-largest Semifinal attendance in US Open Cup history. Photo: @OrlandoCitySC Twitter — **With an announced crowd of 18,461, Orlando City SC supporters achieved the third-largest Semifinal attendance in US Open Cup history in 2019. Photo: @OrlandoCitySC Twitter**

Two teams separated by 2,800 miles but connected by a shared season in the USL Pro league in 2014 – Sacramento’s first season of USL play, Orlando’s last before moving up to MLS – are now meeting again for a chance at US Open Cup glory. Though they only met once due to a geographically-influenced unbalanced schedule – a scoreless draw in front of a sell-out Florida crowd – the two teams split the titles that year. Orlando City resoundingly claimed the Commissioner’s Cup, the award given for the best regular season record, beating second-place Sacramento by seven points. But their run of form ran out in the playoffs as they fell in the quarterfinals to the eighth-seeded Harrisburg City Islanders, the team that Sacramento had no trouble dispatching in the playoff final to win the 2014 USL Pro championship.

The 2014 USL Pro season was the only time these two teams have been in proximity to each other, and their paths have diverged since then. Only one player from either team’s 2014 rosters will be on the field or bench in the Open Cup final: Sacramento’s Rodrigo Lopez, who took a winding path in the past eight years and returned to Sacramento before this season (interestingly enough, Lopez was once on Orlando’s roster in their USL days). One team left to try their luck at top division soccer and the other stayed to find their way in a league landscape that changed around them, hoping to one day follow suit in the first division.

Orlando City enjoyed a lot of success in the USL Pro league, right from the get-go. The team won the regular season and the championship in their first season, setting the standard for fans with the expectation that they were the best in the league. The success of that season proved to be no fluke, and they claimed top spot for the regular season three out of four years in USL Pro and winning the championship in 2011 and 2013. But their entrance to MLS was quite a different story.

In 2013, Orlando City SC traveled to Kansas City and upset their second straight MLS opponent. Photo: Jamila St. Ann | Sporting Kansas City

Despite signing Brazilian Balon d’Or winner, Kaka, the team put on the field by Orlando City wasn’t composed of big names ready to win the league. Orlando struggled in the transition to MLS both on and off the field. Phil Rawlins, who was instrumental in forming the team, relocating to Orlando, and moving up to the top division left, and the team went through three coaches in five years as they went year after year without making the playoffs.

But one area where Orlando didn’t always struggle was connecting with their city.

As Austin David of The Orlando Soccer Journal puts it, after moving the team from Austin to Orlando to play in USL Pro “the ownership was very good at cultivating the community.” They held soccer clinics, community events, and had dedicated staff for their foundation for underprivileged children.

When they moved up to MLS, they seemed to try to continue this trend to market their team to the city at-large, while splashing less cash on famous players (Kaka notwithstanding) than fellow 2015 expansion team New York City FC.

David remembers “Magnet Mondays” where fans could stop by the club office and pick up free car magnets to give to their friends—covering the city with them and making it impossible not to see the team’s presence. But that’s not to say the team ownership hasn’t had a sometimes-contentious relationship with their fanbase. The previous ownership group didn’t seem to make a huge effort to connect, leaving long-time fans with a less-than-friendly, though not necessary adversarial, relationship, particularly around 2017-2019. However, it appears that those brought in by the Wilf family, who purchased the team last summer, have been making an effort to be more active and engaged with fans through meetings, social media, and even dropping by tailgates.

Carlos Alvarado, an Orlando City fan since their inception in USL and member of the Iron Lion Firm, mentioned that “you can tell there’s a proactive approach to it … based on hiring and money in all aspects of the club, at least you can see the genesis of being more involved in the community, which is more initiative and effort than we saw from the former group.” One specific example he mentioned was that there seemed to be more resources given to community relations staff, led by Kay Rawlins.

Meanwhile, as Orlando was trying to find their way in the top division, Sacramento Republic was taking hold of their city and trying to meet the expectations set in their first season of existence. Though the USL Pro team was new to the scene, their welcome was robust. Long-time Republic reporter, Evan Ream, remarked on this reception, saying, “I don’t think anybody knew what to expect before the first home game … Sacramento always supported sports teams in their city , but nobody thought it was going to this big.”

Sacramento Republic fans in 2014. Photo: Twitter @AmericanCasual1

Twenty thousand fans showed up to that first game, setting a single-game record for USL Pro, a record previously set at close to 11,000 by Orlando City in 2013. The team would go on to set a single-season record for attendance, all for a team just getting started. The front office was instrumental in jump starting demand for tickets. Dan Tyree, a Republic supporter and Tower Bridge Battalion member from the start, expanded on this, stating, “they did a good job with supply and demand … They offered two-for-one ticket deals and the stadium was packed several times that season … The club leadership was totally different then, and they were really smart in understanding that community engagement is huge. They had a lot of events outside of the game and cemented lots of long-term relationships.”

Ream described the Republic’s championship in their inaugural season as “one of the best and worst things for Sacramento,” as it set their expectations very high right off the bat. Since that first season, Sacramento hasn’t enjoyed quite the levels of success they hit in 2014. But they haven’t been unsuccessful either and were consistently one of the better franchises in the league. Though the team’s results have been a little up and down, they made the USL playoffs every single year until 2021 and continued their streak of great attendance at games.

In 2019, they hit another high point, but this time off the field. The top division of American soccer announced that Sacramento had been successful in their bid for an MLS expansion slot, a goal of the team’s ownership from the very beginning. The team was set to join in 2022 (later pushed back to 2023 due to the pandemic) with the whole city behind them and a plan for a new stadium in the works.

Unfortunately for the city, the pandemic did more than simply push Sacramento’s MLS debut back; it suspended it entirely. In February 2021, Ron Burkle, the team’s lead investor who was to privately finance the new stadium, pulled his investment, leaving the ownership group without the funds to make the jump to the top division. MLS pulled their bid and is set to choose another city to be the 30th team in the league, with no announced plans to continue expansion in the immediate future. Tyree mentioned this left “a huge amount of bitterness toward MLS” in the Republic’s fanbase. But even so, the plan for a new stadium for the team (albeit a scaled-down version) is still in place, with the possibility to expand the design should the team ownership find new investment and MLS come calling again in the future.

Though both teams have had their trials since their USL Pro clash, there is still plenty for their fans to be proud of. In a weird pandemic-affected 2020 season, Orlando had a breakout performance led by a front trio of Daryl Dike, Chris Mueller, and Nani in the MLS Is Back Tournament, finishing as runners up to the Portland Timbers. They followed this up with a dramatic first round playoff win in penalties against fellow 2015 MLS debutants New York City FC in which fullback Rodrigo Schlegel had to fill in as keeper after Pedro Gallese received a second yellow card for coming off his line too soon and Orlando was out of substitutions. Orlando would go on to lose in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but the excitement around the team after their first ever playoff win was palpable. On the coaching side, the team has enjoyed stability under Oscar Pareja that has offered room for success. In the front office, the Wilf family acquired the team in July 2021, and they and their new front office staff have been active and engaged with the fanbase and wanting to improve the team.

For Sacramento Republic, MLS bid aside, ownership for the team has been stable since 2014, stadium plans are still a go, and they have been one of the more successful franchises since their debut—making the playoffs every year but last. And of course, their historic Open Cup run has captured the hearts of not just the city, but the nation. It is rare that a lower-division team makes it to the final (the Republic will be the first non-MLS team to make it since the 2008 Charleston Battery) and even rarer for that lower-division team to beat three top-division sides on their way there. A lower-division team hasn’t won the Open Cup final since the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos (who beat four MLS sides on their way to the trophy).

As is fairly common in both the American and international soccer landscape, the relationship between the supporters’ groups for Orlando City and Sacramento Republic and their respective front offices are not always warm and friendly or seeing eye-to-eye, but the fanbases’ passion for their teams is unmatched. Both groups truly believe in their team’s chances at winning the trophy. Alvarado thinks it’s good when teams like Sacramento make it to the final of this tournament, but he doesn’t like their chances of winning. He said, “Sacramento really hasn’t had an MLS side at full-force … they’re going to be walking into hell. Playing in Orlando when Orlando is popping off is a really hard environment.” He goes on to say, “with Orlando not playing the weekend before, they’ll be playing with an A+ team … Sacramento are in for a rough night.”

In 2015, Kaka became just the third World Cup champion in the Modern Era to score a US Open Cup goal. Photo: Orlando City SC

On the other side, Tyree sees things a bit differently, mentioning that he wouldn’t be traveling all the way from California to Florida if he didn’t believe they have a chance.

“Knowing these guys, they’re going to have a shot; anything is possible,” he said. “We believe in this team; they have a kind of quiet confidence … this is a different group; they love playing for each other, and they love playing for the city.” He goes on to say that he knows none of the players are getting on that plane thinking they’re going to lose.

When Sacramento Republic came on the USL scene, there were comparisons made with Orlando City’s success in the league and subsequent rise to MLS. People wondered if Sacramento would be the next team to dominate in USL and then move on to bigger and better things. And though the two clubs have traveled different paths, the teams have both become entrenched in their communities, building a strong foundation for the excitement that is now pulsating through their cities, destined to culminate in a historic and sold-out US Open Cup final: a final taking place nine years to the day after Orlando City’s last trophy win and just twenty days shy of eight years since Sacramento Republic’s.

This year’s tournament has reenergized fan bases in Orlando and Sacramento and fueled excitement through soccer communities there and nationwide. Two teams in different leagues, but with intertwined dreams will meet once again, but only one will get to write their names in the history books as the 2022 US Open Cup champion.

2022 US Open Cup Semifinals: Big second half sends Orlando City past Red Bulls, Lions to host first Final

July 27, 2022 by Mike Gramajo

Facundo Torres of Orlando City SC celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls in the 2022 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Orlando City SC

For the first time in their club history, the Lions are heading to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

The New York Red Bulls may have struck first but Orlando City scored five unanswered to claim a 5-1 victory during Wednesday’s semifinal match in front of an announced attendance of 11,612 at a rain-soaked Exploria Stadium.

“For us, it was believing it was a very important game for us,” Orlando head coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “We come from a series of games where the players showed a lot of energy and we haven’t been that solid offensively and today the players took Orlando to another final, scoring five goals, and we hope it can serve them well but today a big game for the club and for them.”

.@OrlandoCitySC reach their first-ever @opencup Final with a 5-1 thumping of the @NewYorkRedBulls. #USOC2022 Semifinal Highlights ????⤵️ pic.twitter.com/GAUrCqEsCw
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 28, 2022

Lewis Morgan opened the scoring for the Red Bulls in the first minute of first-half stoppage time after a turnover from Alexandre Pato resulted in a New York counterattack, which resulted in Klimala finding Morgan to strike the ball past Gallese.

The lead was short-lived, however. Four minutes later before halftime, Cesar Araujo tied the game after a corner kick from Mauricio Pereyra found Antonio Carlos, who headed the ball off the post before the Uruguayan midfielder cleaned up the play for the equalizer.

Pereyra made it 2-1 in the opening minutes of the second half after a cross from Joao Moutinho found the Orlando City captain to strike the ball past keeper Carlos Coronel in the 47th minute.

Scenes. Absolute scenes in Orlando. ????@OrlandoCitySC | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/hJZACFOyvK
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 28, 2022

The scoring continued in the 62nd minute when Araujo notched his brace after striking the ball off a corner kick that originally found Benji Michel before landing at Araujo to strike home the play for a 3-1 lead.

Facundo Torres added to the tally with Orlando’s fourth after a ball played by Junior Urso found the Young Designated Player to tuck the ball past Coronel.

Benjo Michel capped the scoring in the 83rd minute after striking the ball past the keeper off a cross from Torres to make it 5-1.

“I think the confidence that they show today as a group helped them a lot to put the things together,” added Pareja. “The team showed that we have talent and cohesiveness among the players. It’s just trying to get that consistency, and it’s a long season. The thing is we are aware of the things that we need to work on and today we showed ourselves that we have the tools to do it right.”

It was the first time this season that Orlando scored five goals.

ORLANDO CHEGOUUUUU ???? pic.twitter.com/0bTWorLxOQ
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 28, 2022

Wednesday’s result also marks the first time a Florida team returns to the Open Cup final since the Miami Fusion, which lost the 2000 edition against the Chicago Fire.

The St. Petersburg Kickers are the only Florida team to win the tournament, and they lifted the trophy in 1989.

Orlando City season ticket holders can purchase tickets to the final beginning Thursday at 2 p.m., and the general public will be able to purchase on Friday also at 2 p.m.

The Lions will play the Sacramento Republic FC on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. at Exploria Stadium. If Orlando is able to lift the trophy, they would be the first club in the Modern Era to win six home games en route to a championship.

2022 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Underdog Sacramento face 4-time champs Sporting KC; Red Bulls, Orlando City seeking first USOC trophy

July 26, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

The Semifinals of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup have a little bit of everything in the four clubs seeking a spot in the Final.

New York Red Bulls: The team that has struggled in the Open Cup since switching to the Red Bulls name, not only find themselves within reach of their first Cup championship. They also sit near the top of the MLS standings with a chance at a double.

Orlando City SC: A team who began their Open Cup history outside of MLS as a USL club, look to better their semifinal performance in 2019 and claim their first Open Cup title.

Sacramento Republic FC: The non-MLS underdog, just the ninth different team from outside of MLS to reach the semis, also hold a 16-1-0 all-time record in Open Cup home games.

Sporting Kansas City: Despite being stuck in dead last in the MLS Western Conference with a 5-12-5 record, the four-time Open Cup champions have made their way to the final four in search of title number five, which would make them the first Modern Era team to tie the all-time record.

The Red Bulls and Orlando City kick off the night at Orlando’s Exploria Stadium at 7:30 p.m., and Sacramento will welcome Sporting Kansas City to Heart Health Park, a venue that has been sold out for a week in advance of this historic game.

New York Red Bulls (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium; Orlando, FL
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

Two teams who have never lifted the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup face off at Exploria Stadium in Orlando for a chance to capture the hardware in September.

After a few years of mid-table finishes, the Red Bulls have risen to their 2018 form when they won the MLS Supporters’ Shield. The Red Bulls are currently third in the MLS Eastern Conference, looking up at rivals Philadelphia Union and New York City FC. The club is one of a handful in MLS whose road record (7-3-2) is better than their home mark (3-3-4). Their record on the road in Open Cup games lags behind their current league season, sitting at 13-13-1 with 1 win on penalties.

As the MetroStars the club put in respectable performances in the Open Cup, reaching the Semifinals three times (1997, 1998, 2000) and hosting the Final in 2003 (falling to the Chicago Fire 1-0). Once the club switched to New York Red Bulls, their Open Cup struggles began. In seven tournaments from 2006-2014 the Red Bulls failed to make it past a second game, and three times they were one-and-done. Finally, in 2015, things started to turn around. A semifinals appearance in 2015 was followed by a return to the Final in 2017 (losing on the road to Sporting KC).

The New York Red Bulls celebrate the game-winning goal against FC Cincinnati in the 101st minute in the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinals. Photo: Ryan Meyer | New York Red Bulls

Orlando City come into the game sitting fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference, although their recent league performance has slipped a bit. The club has just five points from their last five league games. Midfielder Mauricio Pereyra is tied for fourth in the MLS assists leaderboard with nine.

Orlando City SC started their Open Cup journey in 2009 as the Austin Aztex in the USL Pro League, advancing three rounds deep in 2009 & 2010. After two years the team moved to Orlando where they continued to have moderate Open Cup success, including a run to the Quarterfinals in 2013. In 2014, they moved on to MLS and repeated their Quarterfinal run in 2015 and 2018. They finally broke through to the Semifinals in 2019 where they fell to rival Atlanta United 2-0.

Teams from Florida only began participating in the Open Cup in 1979, and Orlando City’s entry into this year’s Semifinals marks just the ninth time a team from the Sunshine State has advanced this far. The St. Petersburg Kickers are the only Florida team to have won the Open Cup, doing so in 1989. The Miami Fusion (MLS) are the only other Florida team to reach the Final, doing so in 2000.

Teams from Florida in the Open Cup Semifinals

1979 – H. Brooks Dodge Chargers (St. Petersburg)
1982 – St. Petersburg Kickers
1984 – HRC Kickers (St. Petersburg)
1989 – St. Petersburg Kickers **
1993 – McCormick Kickers (St. Petersburg)
1994 – McCormick Kickers
2000 – Miami Fusion *
2019 – Orlando City SC
*-Reached Open Cup Final
**-Won Open Cup

Florida vs. NY & NJ in the Open Cup Semifinals

1979: Brooklyn Dodgers 3:0 H. Brooks Dodge Chargers

The very first time a Florida team met a team from New York & New Jersey was on June 3, 1979, it was the first year that teams from Florida entered the competition 1979 was also the first year the Open Cup was divided into four regions: Region I (Northeast) Region II (Midwest), Region III (South), and Region IV (West) with the winners of the four regions advancing to the Semifinals. The Chargers opponents at Norton Park in St. Petersburg, FL were the Brooklyn Dodgers, later to be known as the Brooklyn Italians.

Rick Monteveiro and Mike Malenkowju scored in the opening half for Brooklyn and Ciocchi added another in the second for a 3-0 win for the Dodgers. Brooklyn would win the Open Cup two weeks later over Croatian SC of Chicago.

1979 US Open Cup champions Brooklyn Dodgers

1984: HRC Kickers 1:3 A.O. Krete

Florida took on a NY/NJ team again on June 23, 1984 at the St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton, MO. This time their opponents were A.O. Krete of the Hellenic American Soccer League, a team that had previously never made a serious run in the tournament. Krete came out 3-1 winners behind a pair of goals from Michael Malenkow and another from Mirko Popovski, while the Kickers lone score was an own goal. Like the Brooklyn Dodgers three years earlier, Krete won the Open Cup over Croatian SC of Chicago.

2000: Miami Fusion 3:2 MetroStars

On Sept. 12, 2000, the New York Red Bulls were involved in the third Florida-NY/NJ encounter under their former identity of the MetroStars. The Miami Fusion were their opponents and Florida finally came out on top, 3-2 at the Mitchell Athletic Complex in Uniondale, NY. Andy Williams’ opening goal for Miami was countered by a Billy Walsh equalizer for the Metros. In the second half Welton and Diego Serna put the Fusion on top for good, and Adolfo Valencia gave the MetroStars a glimmer of hope with a late goal. Miami would fall short of an Open Cup title against the Chicago Fire a month later.

How New York Red Bulls got to the Semifinals
Round 3: Won 2-1 at Hartford Athletic (USL-C)
Round 4: Won 3-0 at D.C. United (MLS)
Round of 16: Won 3-1 vs. Charlotte FC (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 3-0 vs. New York City FC (MLS)

The Red Bulls reached the Fourth Round with a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship. Early goals from Lewis Morgan and Aaron Long was all NYRB needed while out-shooting Hartford, 30-4.

The Red Bulls had no trouble with their Fourth Round encounter with rivals D.C. United, leaving D.C’s Audi Field with a 3-0 win. Luquinhas opened the scoring in first half stoppage time, and John Tolkin added another just after halftime. Zach Ryan put the game to bed with his 68th-minute goal.

The man is on a tear. Lewis Morgan puts us ahead.@Audi | #RBNY pic.twitter.com/FNBFJUK0g8
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 23, 2022

In the Round of 16 the Red Bulls played host to Charlotte FC at Montclair State University and sent the visitors back to the Queen City with 3-1 loss. Patryk Klimala put the Red Bulls on top after just two minutes, but Daniel Rios tied the game for Charlotte six minutes later. Dylan Nealis put New York on top for good in the 61st minute, and Tom Barlow added a goal in stoppage time.

In the Quarterfinals, the Red Bulls were tasked with hosting their Big Apple rivals, New York City FC, and NYRB ended up running away with a 3-0 win. After a scoreless opening half, Lewis Morgan scored in the 52nd minute, followed 18 minutes later by a Luquinas goal. Omir Fernandez topped the victory off with a stoppage time score.

How Orlando City SC got to the Semifinals
Round 3: Won 2-1 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C)
Round 4: Won 2-1 vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS)
Round of 16: Drew 1-1 vs. Inter Miami CF (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 4-2
Quarterfinals: Drew 1-1 vs. Nashville SC (MLS) — Advanced on penalties 6-5

Orlando opened their 2022 Open Cup run with a 2-1 win at home over the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship in the Third Round. Alexandre Pato and Junior Urso scored second half goals.

City followed the same script in the Fourth Round when they hosted the Philadelphia Union. After a scoreless first 45 minutes, Orlando scored a pair of goals by Ercan Kara, and a 30-yard rocket from Andres Perea early in the second half. And once again, despite giving up a goal in the 77th minute, Orlando held on for the 2-1 win.

Oh it was something alright ????@andresperea06 | #DaleMiAmor pic.twitter.com/99o9CfTAlU
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 11, 2022

In the Round of 16, it was another matchup of teams from the Sunshine State as Inter Miami CF traveled to Orlando. While there were no goals scored in the first half for the third game in a row, there was also no scoring in the second half. In extra time, the game came alive as each team traded goals in the first seven minutes. Jean Mota would open the scoring in the 94th minute and Facundo Torres would equalize three minutes later for Orlando. The match would end up in a penalty kick shootout and for the fourth time in as many tries in team history, Orlando would prevail, winning 4-2.

The Quarterfinals saw Orlando City going to penalties once again, this time to topple Nashville SC after a 1-1 extra time draw. After Hany Mukhtar gave Nashville a 1-0 lead in the 52^nd minute, Orlando needed every bit of the remaining time to find their equalizer. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Rodrigo Schlegel sent to game to extra time, scoring from a free kick sent into the goalmouth. After a scoreless extra time. Orlando finally prevailed when goalkeeper Pedro Gallese saved Eric Miller’s penalty to give Orlando a 6-5 shootout win

Orlando City SC (MLS)
12th US Open Cup appearance (6th as MLS)
Overall: 19-11-5 (5-0 PKs) | as MLS: 7-5-5 (5-0 PKs)
Home: 13-4-3 (3-0 PKs) | as MLS: 4-3-3 (3-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 5-9-4 (4-0 PKs) | as MLS: 3-3-4 (4-0 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2019, 2022)

Current Season
8-8-6 (30 pts.) 26 GF 31 GA, 5th in MLS Eastern Conference
Goalscoring leader: Ercan Kara, 7
Assists leader: Mauricio Pereyra, 9
Goalkeeping leader: Pedro Gallese, 21 games, 1.43 GAA / 7 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 13 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids
July 17 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Atlanta United
July 23 (MLS): 1-0 loss vs. Philadelphia Union

New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 26-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Away: 13-13-1 (1-0 PKs)
vs. MLS: 11-12-3 (2-1 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)

Current Season
8-4-5 29 Pts., 34 GF 25 GA, 3rd in MLS Eastern Conference
Goalscoring leader: Lewis Morgan, 9
Assists leader: Omir Fernandez, 6
Goalkeeping leader: Carlos Coronel, 21 games, 1.10 GAA, 5 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (MLS): 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati
July 17 (MLS): 1-0 loss vs. New York FC
July 24 (MLS): 4-3 win at Austin FC

The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club's 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC — The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club’s 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Sporting Kansas City (MLS) at Sacramento Republic (USL-C)
Heart Health Park; Sacramento, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

It’s the underdogs from the USL Championship seeking to continue writing new club history versus an MLS team mired in a miserable season looking to take advantage of perhaps their lone chance at a trophy in 2022.

Sacramento’s current USL Championship season has been middle of the road so far, as they sit in seventh place in the Western Conference in the final playoff spot. Rodrigo Lopez is the undisputed team leader, and he sits atop the Open Cup stats leaderboard with four goals and four assists.

Sacramento Republic have used the 2022 US Open Cup to reverse some negative trends in their cup history. First, they finally overcame the San Jose Earthquakes, whom Sacramento had gone 0-4 against in the Open Cup. Next, they reversed their poor performance on the road in the Cup with an away win over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Sacramento had a 1-4-1 road record in cup play, all four losses, including a penalty kick loss, coming at the hands of MLS clubs.

Sacramento has one huge advantage in that they posses one of the best home Open Cup records in the Modern Era at 16-1-0. They are in the middle of an 11-game winning streak, which ranks fourth since 1996. Their last home loss was a 3-1 upset by the PDL’s (USL-2) Kitsap Pumas in the Third Round in 2016.

Home Open Cup winning streaks (Modern Era)
17 – LA Galaxy (2001 Rd. 2-2016 QF)
16 – Seattle Sounders (2008 Rd. 2-2-04 Rd. 4)
14 – Chicago Fire (1998 Final-2008 Rd. 3)
11 – Sacramento Republic (2017 Rd. 2-Current)

Sacramento also joins an exclusive list with their first ever Semifinal appearance, becoming just the ninth different non-MLS club to reach this stage since 1996, and the first since FC Cincinnati in 2017. The 2008 Charleston Battery and 1996 Rochester Raging Rhinos made it to the Final, and the 1999 Rhinos famously became the only team outside MLS to win the Open Cup in the Modern Era.

Non-MLS semifinalists since 1996
2017 FC Cincinnati (USL)
2011 Richmond Kickers (USL Pro)
2009 Rochester Rhinos (USL First Division)
2008 Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2008 Charleston Battery (USL First Division) *
2007 Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division)
2007 Seattle Sounders (USL First Division)
2006 Minnesota Thunder (USL First Division)
2004 Charleston Battery (A-League)
1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) **
1999 Charleston Battery (A-League)
1997 San Francisco Bay Seals (USISL D3 Pro)
1996 Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-League) *
*Reached Open Cup Final
**Won the Open Cup

Sporting Kansas City are making their sixth Semifinals appearance, having converted the previous five into four Open Cup championships. They’ll hope to make it to their fifth Open Cup Final to balance out what has been a disastrous MLS season. Perhaps the high point in the MLS season thus far for SKC was a stretch of six games in April & May where they went 1-1-4.

Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club's 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC — Johnny Russell of Sporting KC talks to his teammates in the huddle before the club’s 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against the Houston Dynamo. Photo: Sporting KC

However, a team in last place going so deep in the Open Cup is nothing new. 11 times a team that finished in last place in their MLS Conference have reached the Open Cup Semifinals. Kansas City did it in 2002 as the Wizards with a 9-10-9 record, but KC made the playoffs since 8 of the 10 teams qualified for the MLS postseason that year. D.C. United and the Chicago Fire have pulled it off three times each, with Chicago making the Final in 2004 with a 8-13-9 mark, and D.C. winning the Open Cup with a 3-27-7 record.

This feat isn’t just limited to MLS clubs. In 2004 the A-League Charleston Battery reached the Semifinals and finished second to last in the A-League with a 7-15-6 record. Going all the way back to 1937, the New York Americans won the Open Cup that year over Shamrocks from St. Louis despite finishing last in the American Soccer Leagues National Division at 4-11-7.

Granted, Sporting KC have a few more months to move out of last place and keep their name off this infamous list.

Last place MLS teams to reach Semifinals (end of season record)
1996 – Colorado Rapids 11-21 (Replacement for Colorado Foxes)
1997 – MetroStars 13-19
2001 – D.C. United 8-16-2
2002 – Kansas City Wizards 9-10-9 – MADE MLS PLAYOFFS
2004 – Chicago Fire 8-13-9 – MADE OPEN CUP FINAL
2010 – D.C. United 6-20-4
2010 – Chivas USA 8-18-4
2012 – Chivas USA 7-18-9
2013 – D.C. United 3-24-7 – WON OPEN CUP
2015 – Chicago Fire 8-20-6
2016 – Chicago Fire 7-17-10

Non-MLS
2004 – Charleston Battery (A-League) 7-15-6 (finished 2^nd to last in A-League)
1937 – New York Americans (ASL) 4-11-7 (last place in ASL National Division)

17 of SKC’s last 21 Open Cup opponents going back to 2014 have been fellow MLS clubs. Ironically, two of those games were against Minnesota United before that club joined MLS. This year marks the first time Kansas City have faced more that one team from outside MLS in a single tournament since 2013, when they defeated the Des Moines Menace of the PDL (USL-2) 2-0 in the Third Round, then lost to Orlando City of USL Pro 1-0 a game later.

How Sporting Kansas City got to the Semifinals
Round 4: Won 4-2 (AET) vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Round of 16: Won 2-1 vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 6-0 vs. Union Omaha (USL-1)

Sporting KC began their Open Cup journey in dramatic fashion. The four-time champs overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to FC Dallas, scored an equalizer deep into second half stoppage time, and then tacked on two more goals in extra time to prevail 4-2. Marinos Tzionis scored the late equalizer for his first goal for Sporting KC. Four minutes into extra time an own goal from Edwin Cerrillo put KC up for good, and Khiry Shelton made it 4-2 in the 113th minute.

SKC would reach the Quarterfinals for the 12th time with a 2-1 win over the Houston Dynamo. Their 12 Quarterfinal appearances are tied for fifth-most in the tournament’s 107-year history. Johnny Russell scored both goals for Sporting, who was playing Houston for the fifth time in the last six tournaments.

Johnny Russell eats the foul, makes 'em pay anyway!

We're all square! #SKCvHOU pic.twitter.com/bYz6FaOJGq
— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 26, 2022

Sporting KC had to play the role of the villain in the Quarterfinals, crushing Union Omaha 6-0 to end the Cinderella run of the USL League One club. Daniel Salloi (10^thminute) and Kortne Ford (37^th minute) gave KC a 2-0 halftime lead, but soon after the break the floodgates opened. Within 20 minutes in the second half the lead was 5-0 on goals from Salloi (53^rd), Khiry Shalton (56^th) and Felipe Hernandez (66^th). Fernandez added a sixth in the 81^st minute,

How Sacramento Republic got to the Semifinals
Round 2: Won 6-0 vs. Portland Timbers U23 (USL-2)
Round 3: Won 2-1 vs. Central Valley Fuego (USL-1)
Round 4: Won 2-0 vs. Phoenix Rising FC (USL-C)
Round of 16: Won 2-0 vs. San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
Quarterfinals: Won 2-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

Sacramento had no trouble beating the Portland Timbers U-23s in the Second Round. Sacramento held a 6-0 lead at halftime and eased up in the second half so as not to run up the score on the youngsters.

In Round 3, it was Rodrigo Lopez to the rescue again. After assisting on the opening goal of the game, Central Valley Fuego (USL-1) equalized in the second half. Lopez then scored the game-winner from the penalty spot five minutes deep into second half stoppage time to send the Republic into Round 4.

In the Fourth Round, Sacramento hosted a battle of USL Championship Western Conference rivals, facing off with Phoenix Rising. Republic added to their outstanding home Open Cup record with a 2-0 win, Luis Felipe scoring in the first half and Douglas Martinez adding the second in the 88th minute.

In the Round of 16, Sacramento broke through the San Jose blockade, beating the Earthquakes for the first time in Open Cup play in four tries. Over 11,000 packed Heart Health Park in Sacramento on a sweltering night. Luis Felipe opened the scoring in the 28th minute on a Rodrigo Lopez assist, and then Lopez closed out the game with a fantastic shot in the 84th minute to propel Sacramento to the Quarterfinals for the first time.

.@luisfelipe_7 loves an @opencup goal ????#LFG | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/7zKEUIRqMC
— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 22, 2022

The Republic booked their first-ever Semifinal appearance with a 2-1 upset over the Los Angeles Galaxy away from home. Rodrigo Lopez got Sacramento started quickly with a 4th minute goal, but Conor Donovan gifted the Galaxy an equalizer through an own goal. In the 70^th minute a shot by Luis Felipe from outside the penalty area found its way past Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsman, and Sacramento held on for the remaining 20 minutes,

Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 31-15-6 (4-2 PKs)
Away: 8-8-4 (2-2 PKs)
vs. Division 2: 7-2-2 (1-1 PKs)
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

Current Season
5-13-5 20 Pts., 19 GF 40 GA, 14th in MLS Western Conference
Goalscoring leader: Johnny Russell, 6
Assists leader: Cameron Duke, Felipe Hernandez, 3
Goalkeeping leader: Tim Melia, 21 games, 1.65 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (MLS): 1-1 draw at Minnesota United
July 17 (MLS): 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake
July 23 (MLS): 2-0 loss vs. Los Angeles FC

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 18-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Home: 16-1-0
vs. MLS: 4-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Semifinals (2022)

Current Season
8-5-6 30 Pts., 22 GF 19 GA, 7th in USL Championship Western Conference
Goalscoring leader: Maalique Foster, 4
Assists leader: Rodrigo Lopez, 3
Goalkeeping leader: Daniel Vitiello, 14 games, 1.14 GAA / 3 clean sheets

Last Three Games
July 9 (USL-C): 3-3- draw vs. Oakland Roots
July 16 (USL-C): 1-0 loss vs. Birmingham Legion FC
July 23 (USL-C): 0-0 draw at Phoenix Rosing FC

2022 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round?

July 5, 2022 by Grace Ott

Who should be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round trophy — Photo: Atlanta United FC

The final eight teams took to the field in hopes of advancing to the Semifinals of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and continuing their quest to add a trophy to their cabinets. Five MLS and two USL (one Championship and one League One) teams competed in this dramatic quarterfinal round. This round had it all: a blowout, a lopsided Hudson River Derby, a USL upset, and a penalty shootout that came down to the wire.

At the end of the round, three MLS teams and one intrepid USL team emerged victorious to advance to the final four of the 107th edition of the tournament, which will take place July 27.

The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters but if YOU had a vote, which player do you think should win?

Here are the finalists (in alphabetical order):

Luis Felipe
Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

Felipe took a shot from way outside the 18-yard box to beat the keeper to the lower corner in the 70th minute. The goal ended up to be the game-winner, giving Sacramento the huge upset on the road against the LA Galaxy (MLS) and cemented their spot as the only USL team remaining in the Open Cup tournament.

Pedro Gallese

Orlando City SC (MLS)

Gallese made five saves in Orlando’s narrowly-decided clash at home against Nashville SC (MLS). After finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, the game went scoreless through extra-time into a penalty shootout. There, Gallese saved the seventh Nashville penalty kick in sudden death, winning the game for the players in purple in front of their home crowd.

Felipe Hernandez

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Herenandez provided the corner kick assist for the second goal and scored the final brace as Sporting KC emphatically crushed any hopes of a road upset from Union Omaha (USL League One) with a 6-0 home win. He beat two defenders to a ball in the box in the 66th minute to score his first of the game and 15 minutes later slammed in his second from the top of the box, putting the final nail in the coffin for Omaha.

Lewis Morgan

New York Red Bulls (MLS)

Morgan scored the opening goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, in an Open Cup edition of the Hudson River Derby. He made a near-post run in the box to sneak a ball headed from a free kick past the New York City FC (MLS) keeper, giving the Red Bulls a 3-1 home win in the rivalry.

Rodrigo Schlegel

Orlando City SC (MLS)

Schlegel scored a dramatic game-tying goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to propel the game against Nashville SC (MLS) into extra-time. The defender pounced on a ball that had been headed down by his teammate off a free kick after the Nashville keeper missed the clearance in traffic, knocking the ball in with a little hop and his right foot. Orlando would go on to win the game in a penalty kick shootout to advance to the semifinals.0

Khiry Shelton

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)

Shelton provided the assists for Sporting KC’s first and third goals (both to Daniel Salloi) and scored the fourth in the MLS side’s dismantling of Union Omaha (USL League One) in a 6-0 win at Children’s Mercy Park. Shelton received a long ball and shot from the top of the box as he slid to the ground, kissing the ball off the inside of the far post to add to the goal tally of the home team.

2022 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Orlando City equalize late, oust Nashville SC in PKs to return to Semis

June 30, 2022 by Mike Gramajo

Orlando City SC players celebrate after winning a PK shootout against Nashville SC in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Orlando City SC

Rodrigo Schlegel scored in stoppage-time of regulation to send the Lions to extra time, and Pedro Gallese produced a game-winning save to lift Orlando City past Nashville SC 6-5 in penalties Wednesday night in the Quarterfinals of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Exploria Stadium.

For Orlando, it will be their second straight Semifinal appearance as the club improves to 5-0 all-time in Open Cup matches decided by PK shootouts.

“Very happy with the victory and going to the semifinals with this group of players against a very good rival with the possibility of advancing,” said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja after the game.

“Regarding the game, I thought we didn’t play well in the first half, at least 35 minutes, Nashville was much better than us, created more options. But after the goal, I thought we reacted well and the players showed the personality to go through it.”

Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 52nd minute after poking a ball sent in by Alex Muyl, but Schlegel’s goal four minutes into stoppage off a setpiece tied the game for the Lions to send the game to extra time.

LOVE. TO. SEE. IT. ???? pic.twitter.com/9ePxgeOwUV
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 30, 2022

Nashville went down a player in the 92nd minute of extra time after Sean Davis was issued a second yellow card for holding back Facundo Torres from a counter attack.

Despite the player advantage, the Lions weren’t able to make much of it.

Orlando did, however, turn it up a bit in the second half, finishing with 23 shots after the 120 minutes after a lackluster fist half.

Nashville dominated the first half, outshooting Orlando 6-1 which also included several saves from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who finished with fives saves.

Some late night scoring ???? pic.twitter.com/0Lj6RfV334
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) June 30, 2022

In the 16th minute, the Peruvian keeper stopped Hany Mukhtar from striking from close. Moments later in the 26th minute, Gallese made back-to-back saves to stop chances from CJ Sapong and Mukhtar.

Orlando had an opportunity to find the opening goal in the 33rd minute when Facundo Torres connected with Mauricio Pereyra, who then crossed the ball to Tesho Akindele but the forward didn’t get there enough to finish the play.

Nashville again managed to find another chance in the 35th minute when Sapong beat Rodrigo Schlegel before taking a strike at goal but a diving Gallese was able to fend the ball away.

Up next, Orlando City hosts the New York Red Bulls on July 27 in the Semifinals of the Open Cup at Exploria Stadium.

2022 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Previewing three intriguing matchups this week

June 21, 2022 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

UPDATE: Sacramento Republic upset the LA Galaxy on Tuesday night

Three of the four matches for the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Quarterfinals will take place this week and feature some intriguing drama.

#USOC2022 Essentials

2022 USOC Results/Schedule
2022 USOC Statistical Leaders
2022 USOC Qualifying Results
USOC rule changes since 2019

TheCup.us Player of the Round winners
Round 5: Joseph Brito (Union Omaha)

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Tuesday night will see a Northern California vs. Southern California matchup with the LA Galaxy hosting the Sacramento Republic of the USL Championshup.

Wednesday’s doubleheader will kick off with a Hudson River Derby at Red Bull Arena as the New York Red Bulls will host their rival New York City FC. After that, the lone USL League One (Div. 3 pro) team left, Union Omaha, will travel to Kansas to take on four-time champion Sporting Kansas City.

The hosting scenarios for the Semifinals and the Final are scheduled to take place on June 23, then the final Quarterfinal match will be played on Wednesday, June 29 when Nashville SC heads south to face Orlando City SC.

All games this round, and the rest of the tournament, will be streamed on ESPN+.

As always, TheCup.us will have reporters at every game and will be providing in-game updates on Twitter (@USOpenCup) and as we have done for more than a decade, the hashtag we recommend is #USOC2022

Below you will find a brief preview of this week’s three Quarterfinals with links to each broadcast:

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez of LA Galaxy celebrates during the club's 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against LAFC. Photo: LA Galaxy — Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez of LA Galaxy celebrates during the club’s 2022 US Open Cup Fifth Round match against LAFC. Photo: LA Galaxy

Tuesday, June 21
Sacramento Republic (USL-C) at LA Galaxy (MLS)
Dignity Health Sports Park; Carson, CA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

UPDATE: Sacramento Republic upset the LA Galaxy on Tuesday night to reach the Semifinals

The two-time US Open Cup champion LA Galaxy, one of the most decorated MLS clubs of all time, will host the Sacramento Republic FC, the last remaining USL Championship (Div. 2 pro) club.

After a bit of an up-and-down start to the season, Sacramento has a 4-3-1 record in their last eight games. After their upset of the San Jose Earthquakes on May 25, Sacramento are unbeaten in their last four, including winning three straight. That momentum has carried them into a four-way tie for third place in the competitive Western Conference.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy are also in the top half of their league’s Western Conference table with a 7-5-3 record. Since their last Open Cup game (a 3-1 home win over LAFC), the Galaxy have picked up a pair of results in league play, a 4-1 win over Austin FC and a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers this past Saturday.

How they got to the Round of 16

Sacramento had no trouble beating the Portland Timbers U-23s 6-0 in the Second Round. Sacramento held a 6-0 lead at halftime and eased up in the second half so as not to run up the score on the youngsters.

In the Fourth Round Sacramento hosted a battle of USL Championship Western Conference rivals, facing off with Phoenix Rising. Republic added to their outstanding home Open Cup record with a 2-0 win, Luis Felipe scoring in the first half and Douglas Martinez adding the second in the 88th minute.

In the Round of 16, Sacramento broke through the San Jose blockade, beating the Earthquakes for the first time in Open Cup play in four tries. Over 11,000 packed Heart Health Park in Sacramento on a sweltering night. Luis Felipe opened the scoring in the 28th minute on a Rodrigo Lopez assist, and then Lopez closed out the game with a fantastic shot in the 84th minute to propel Sacramento to the Quarterfinals for the first time.

The Galaxy began their Open Cup run by welcoming former club legend and San Diego Loyal manager Landon Donovan to Dignity Health Sports Park in the Third Round. Los Angeles came away with a 1-0 win as Kevin Cabral scored the lone goal.

In the Fourth Round, the Galaxy got by the stubborn California United Strikers of NISA, 3-2. Cal United grabbed a shocking 1-0 lead in the 19th minute on a goal by Shinya Kadono, but Dejan Joveljic evened things up with the first of his two penalties for the Galaxy. The game stayed level until the 80th minute when Owen Lambe put the Galaxy ahead, and three minutes later Joveljic converted his second penalty to seal the win. Cal United created some late drama with an 88th minute goal from Kevin Garcia-Lopez.

In the Round of 16 the Galaxy faced off with cross town rivals Los Angeles FC in the first ever Open Cup version of “El Traffico” in front of 24,174 fans at the Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park. After a scoreless first half, Kevin Cabral put the Galaxy ahead in the 51st minute, and Chicharito doubled the lead seven minutes later. Dejan Joveljic made it 3-0 in the 81st minute, and LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead scored the visitors lone goal four minutes later.

The lone Open Cup meeting between the two clubs came in the 2017 Round of 16. Sacramento began in the Second Round that year, and in the prior round they rolled over Real Salt Lake 4-1 in front of 11,569 in Sacramento. In front of a sparse crowd of 2,672 at the StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium, LA’s Ariel Lassiter and Bradford Jamieson scored early in the second half to give the MLS club a 2-0 win. At the time, it was the furthest Sacramento had gone in the Open Cup.

The Galaxy will look to avenge their reserve club LA Galaxy II after Sacramento beadt them in USL Championship play 2-0 on June 18. Luther Archimede and Rafael Jauregui scored midway through the second half for the winners.

Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
7th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 17-5-1 (0-1 PKs)
Away: 1-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 3-4-1 (0-1 PKs)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2022)

Current Season
7-3-4 25 Pts., 17 GF 11 GA, 5th in USL Championship Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Douglas Martinez, 3
Assists Leader: Douglas Martinez, Luther Archimede, 2
Goalkeeping Leader: Daniel Vitiello, 10 games, 0.80 GAA / 3 clean sheets

Last Three Games
6/4 – USL-C – 1-0 win vs. San Antonio FC
6/11 – USL-C – 2-0 vs. at Detroit City FC
6/18 – USL-C 0 2-0 win vs. LA Galaxy II

LA Galaxy (MLS)
17th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 35-17-1 (1-0 PKs)
Home: 25-3-0
vs. Div. 2: 11-4-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2001, 2005)

Current Season
7-5-3 24 Pts., 18 GF 16 GA, 5th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Chicharito, 6
Assists Leader: Raheem Edwards, 5
Goalkeeping Leader: Jonathan Bond, 15 games, 1.07 GAA / 5 clean sheets

Last Three Games
5/22 – MLS – 3-0 loss vs. Houston Dynamo
5/29 – MLS – 4-1 win vs. Austin FC
6/18 – MLS – 1-1 draw vs. Portland Timbers

Union Omaha celebrate in the locker room after a 2-1 upset win over Minnesota United FC in the Fifth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Union Omaha

June 22

Union Omaha (USL-1) at Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park; Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

Union Omaha are the last remaining third division club in the tournament, representing USL League One. They are trying to become just the third team from a third division league to reach the Semifinals. The other two are the San Francisco Bay Seals (D3 Pro League) in 1997 and the Richmond Kickers (USL) in 2011.

Much like their opponents on Wednesday, Union Omaha are struggling in league play with a 3-2-4 record. However, there is still plenty of time for the defending USL League One champions to get back on track. It looked like they were headed that way with a six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, until this past weekend when they fell 2-0 at home to the Greenville Triumph, the team they defeated in the league championship game last year.

Sporting Kansas City are attempting to join some elite company in 2022. The MLS side has four US Open Cup trophies and adding a fifth would tie the tournament’s all-time record (Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers). Sporting might have extra motivation because they have struggled in league play. They enter Wednesday’s match one point from the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-9-4 record. Last weekend, they snapped a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) with a 2-1 road win over Nashville SC. Teams using the Open Cup to get their league season back on track, or to save a season would not be unheard of.

How they got to the Round of 16

Union Omaha began their inaugural Open Cup run in the Second Round when they edged USL League Two powerhouse Des Moines Menace 2-1 in Omaha, Neb. The game was decided on an 81st minute own goal by Des Moines.

With no Open Cup experience, Omaha received a major test with their first professional opponent: Chicago Fire of MLS. Noe Meza scored the tying goal midway through the second half, and in extra time Alex Touche sent the game to penalties with a 120th minute stoppage time goal. Rashid Nuhu saved Chicago’s final penalty to give Omaha the upset.

Omaha’s found USL League One rivals Northern Colorado Hailstorm (who pulled off an MLS upset of their own in the previous round) waiting in the Fourth Round, and came away with a 2-0 victory. Goals from Noe Meza and Conor Doyle in the second half powered the Union to the win and the tournament’s $25,000 prize money as the last remaining third division club.

In the Round of 16, Omaha claimed another MLS upset on the road as they traveled north and knocked off Minnesota United FC, 2-1. The Sportscenter-worthy winning goal was scored by Joseph Brito in the 51st minute. That goal was enough to earn him a narrow win in TheCup.us Player of the Round voting. The win also made history for the state of the Nebraska as Omaha became the first club from the Cornhusker State to reach the Quarterfinals.

SKC would reach the Quarterfinals for the 12th time with a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. Their 12 Quarterfinal appearances are tied for fifth-most in the tournament’s 107-year history. Johnny Russell scored both goals for Sporting, who was playing Houston for the fifth time in the last six tournaments.

Union Omaha (USL League One)
1st US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-0-0
Away: 2-0-0
vs. MLS: 1-0-1 (1-0 PKs)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (2002)

Current Season
3-4-2 13 Pts., 10 GF 8 GA, 7th in USL League One
Goal Scoring Leader: Noe Meza, 3
Assists Leader: Noe Meza, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Rashid Nuhu, 8 games, 0.80 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
6/4 – USL1 – 1-0 win at Chattanooga Red Wolves
6/11 – USL1 – 2-1 win at FC Tucson
6/18 – USL1 – 0-2 loss vs. Greenville Triumph

Sporting Kansas City (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 30-15-6 (4-2 PKs)
Home: 22-7-2 (2-0 PKs)
vs. Division 3: 3-3-0
Best finish: U.S. Open Cup Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

Current Season
4-9-4 16 Pts., 16 GF 29 GA, 12th in MLS Western Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Johnny Russell, 5
Assists Leader: Cameron Duke, Felipe Hernandez, 3
Goalkeeping Leader: Tim Melia, 17games, 1.71 GAA / 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
5/28 – MLS – 0-1 loss vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
6/12 – MLS – 1-2 loss vs. New England Revolution
6/19 – MLS – 2-1 win at Nashville SC

Luquinhas of the New York Red Bulls battles for the ball against Charlotte FC in the Fifth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: New York Red Bulls

Wednesday, June 22

New York City FC (MLS) at New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Red Bull Arena; Harrison, NJ
Kickoff: 8 p.m.
Broadcast: ESPN+

It doesn’t get much better when two league rivals square off in the US Open Cup. It makes it even more meaningful because the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC have both never won the US Open Cup. But adding a little more spice to the matchup at Red Bull Arena is the fact that these two rivals neck-and-neck in the Eastern Conference standings with NYCFC on top of the Eastern Conference with Red Bulls one point behind them.

The Red Bulls are a two-time finalist (2003, 2017) but have never been able to get to the top of the mountain. After four consecutive opening round defeats in their first four tournament entries, NYCFC won a couple games in 2019 before falling in PKs to Orlando City in the Quarterfinals. This year, NYCFC needed home wins over Rochester NY FC (formerly Rochester Rhinos) and the New England Revolution to punch their ticket to the Quarterfinals.

NYCFC haven’t lost a game in any competition since early April, going 12 games without a loss. Their last outing on Sunday saw them finish with a 1-1 draw the Colorado Rapids. Similarly, the Red Bulls have only lost one game since mid-April in all competitions.

How they got to the Round of 16

The Red Bulls had no trouble with their Fifth Round encounter with rivals D.C. United, leaving D.C’s Audi Field with a 3-0 win. Luquinhas opened the scoring in first half stoppage time, and John Tolkin added another just after halftime. Zach Ryan put the game to bed with his 68th-minute goal.

NYCFC had a bit of a tougher task with Rochester New York FC, beating the MLS Next Pro club 3-1 in the Fourth Round. Thiago Andrade started the scoring for NYCFC in the 23rd minute, and eight minutes later Heber took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake to double the lead. Jesus Baitz got Rochester back into the game in first half stoppage time, but Maxime Chanot’s goal midway through the second half gave the MLSers a comfortable lead.

Then, in the Round of 16, it was a battle between two major trophy winners from last season with NYCFC lifting MLS Cup and the New England Revolution winning the Supporters’ Shield. Santiago Rodriguez scored the lone goal of the game in the 94th minute of extra time as New York City advanced.

New York City FC (Major League Soccer)
6th US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 4-3-2 (0-2 PKs)
Away: 1-2-2 (0-2 PKs)
vs. MLS: 1-2-1 (0-1 PKs)

Best finish: Quarterfinals (2019)

Current Season

8-3-3 27 Pts., 26 GF 11 GA 1st in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Valentin Castellanos, 7
Assists Leader: Santiago Rodriguez, 7
Goalkeeping Leader: Sean Johnson, 14 games, 0.79 GAA / 8 clean sheets

Last Three Games
5/22 – MLS – 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire
5/28 – MLS – 1-0 win at Minnesota United
6/19 – MLS – 1-1 draw vs. Colorado Rapids

New York Red Bulls (Major League Soccer)
22nd US Open Cup appearance
Overall: 25-20-3 (2-1 PKs)
Home: 11-6-2 (1-1 PKs)
vs. MLS: 10-12-3 (2-1 PKs)
Best finish: Final (2003, 2017)

Current Season
7-4-5 26 Pts., 26 GF 17 GA, 2nd in MLS Eastern Conference
Goal Scoring Leader: Lewis Morgan, 7
Assists Leader: Omir Fernandez, 6
Goalkeeping Leader: Carlos Coronel, 15 games, 1.00 GAA, 4 clean sheets

Last Three Games
5/28 – MLS – 4-1 win vs. D.C. United
6/11 – MLS – 0-2 loss at Charlotte FC
6/18 – MLS – 2-0 win vs. Toronto FC

Santiago Rodriguez of NYCFC celebrates after scoring a goal against the New England Revolution in the Fifth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: NYCFC

June 29, 2022
Nashville SC (MLS) at Orlando City SC (MLS)
Exploria Stadium; Orlando, FL
Kickoff – 7 PM
Broadcast: ESPN+

Preview coming soon …