5 Things To Know About Sac Republic’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Opponent, Orland City SC
Sep 6, 2022, 8:09 AM
HARRISON, NJ - AUGUST 13: Orlando City forward Alexandre Pato (7) during the first half of the Major League Soccer game between the New York Red Bulls and Orlando City on August 13, 2022 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
We’re less than a day away from the Sacramento Republic FC taking on the Orlando City SC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.
They’re the final two teams in a tournament that started back in the spring.
But what do we know about the republic’s opponent? Since they’re in the MLS and Sacramento isn’t, this is a rare matchup and one we might not see again for years. So, before the game starts, here are a few facts about Orlando City SC before we watch the game Wednesday.
- How did they get here? The Orlando City SC has had the luck of the draw in the tournament, hosting every round to date. They’ve defeated Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL), Philadelphia Union (MSL), Inter Miami CF (MLS), Nashville SC (MLS), and the New York Red Bulls (MLS). The last win in the tournament against the Red Bulls was Orlando’s most convincing in the tournament, too, defeating New York 5-1. Their first game of the tournament was back on April 20.
- They’re a recent inclusion into MLS. After winning the USL championship in 2011 and 2013, the team would move up to the MLS in 2015 as the league’s 21st franchise.
- The two teams have met before. In Orlando’s last season under the USL umbrella, they faced off against the Sacramento Republic FC on July 17, 2014. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. Who took home the USL championship that season? The Sacramento Republic FC. It doesn’t appear the two teams have met since.
- If they take home the US Open Cup trophy, it’ll be only the second time a team from Florida won the tournament. The last time was in 1989 when the St. Petersburg Kickers took home the trophy after defeating the NY Greek AA.
- Orlando City’s mascot is Kingston. Not to be confused with the King’s Slamson, the MLS team’s mascot says they’re a “world famous Ukrainian house DJ. Former underwear model.” There’s no big point with this fact. I just thought it was funny there is a lion mascot connection between Orlando and Sacramento, two places not known for their lions.
Nearly There 🏆 | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/OTA7zHfER0
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) September 6, 2022
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A win against Orlando City SC in the finals of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup would mean Sacramento defeated four straight MLS teams — San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City were the first three — in the tournament. The last time a USL team won the tournament was in 1999 when the Rochester Rhinos bested the Colorado Rapids. This is the first time a USL has reached the finals since 2008.
