ORLANDO – Orlando City SC defeated the New England Revolution 2-1 last night their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match last night at a rainy Exploria Stadium. The round of 16 win means the Lions advance to the quarter finals and host New York City FC on Wednesday, July 10 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match will go on sale on Friday, June 21.
In the regulation 90 minutes, Orlando City looked lethargic and lost, with the 5,556 fans looking for a payoff from sitting in the rain. After a 0-0 tie , the teams moved to extra time, and that’s when their patience was rewarded.
Benji Michel scored for Orlando City, celebrating with backflips as the crowed cheered for him and his first Orlando City goal.
Tesho Akindele later hit pay dirt, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead. Thesho’s goal proved to be much needed insurance as New England roared back with a score and a garage of attempts in the final minutes that Orlando held off to secure the win.
“Obviously, very pleased to get through,” O’Connor said after the game. “I thought it was a very tough game, as we knew it would be. Credit to New England. I thought they put up a great fight. I thought it was a very difficult game for both football teams, back and forth. But I thought the heart and the commitment that the players showed was outstanding.”
At 6 min after the start of the first extra period, João Moutinho sent a cross in from the left side that was deflected off Benji Michel to the foot of Carlos Ascues. Ascues took a shot that was saved by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner, but Michel was there to put away the rebound to give the Lions the lead. Explosion! The dreary crowd got their reward.
Later, while Tesho was scrambling in the box, he got a touch and an off balance shot that was deflected, sending New England goalie Matt Turner out of position. The ball trickled into the right side of the goal, to everyone’s amazement.
New England later scored off of a blast by Justin Rennicks in the 117′ minute, followed by an almost contact attack on the Orlando box in the final minutes. It took a heroic afford the the Orlando Defense and goalie Adam Grinwis to hold the win.
Orlando did not leave this match unscathed. The Lions appeared to lose Cristian Higuita to a leg injury. Tesho pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury, but played through.
With the win, City matched its best finish in the U.S. Open Cup by reaching the Quarterfinals for the third time as a Club, having done so in both 2015 and 2018.
Next Match: US Open Cup – The Lions will host New York City FC on Wednesday, July 10 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match will go on sale on Friday, June 21. Season ticket member access will begin at 10 a.m. ET with general public sale starting later that same day at 2 p.m. ET.
