ORLANDO, FL – Orlando City SC faced off against Nashville SC in a quarterfinal match in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Orlando returns to the pitch after losing 1-0 against Cincinnati on Friday, the Lions continue their US Open Cup hunt, facing red hot Nashville SC.
Nashville drew first blood when Hany Muhktar got on the end of a ball and taped it slowly past Gallese. Muyl had the cross and Mukhtar beat Schlegel to the ball.
Orlando was down, but not out.
Orlando’s Rodrigo Schlegel scored to the Lions in the 94th minute of regulation time, when Benji Michel knocked down the cross from Pereyra that the keeper Elliot Panic missed. Schlegel just knocked it home for the equalizer.
Nashville put up a good fight as they managed to hold Orlando off even though they were down a man with Nashville’s Sean Davis getting his second fouls in the 91st minute.
The match finally came down to penalty kicks with Orlando winning 5-4 with Pedro Gallese blocking two Nashville shots.
“I’m very happy, obviously, with the victory and going to the semifinal with this group of players against a very good rival, with the possibility of advancing. It’s a very good step for us.” Sad Orlando Head Coach Oscar Pareja. “Regarding the game, I didn’t think we played well the first half, at least 35 minutes where Nashville was much better than us. [They] created options. I think the game was generous with us keeping it at zero. But after the goal, I thought we reacted and I want to recognize that reaction from the players. I think they had the personality and patience to go through it. ”
Orlando will next face DC United on Just 4th at Exploria Stadium, then continue their UC Cup pursuit in a Semifinal match against. the New York Red Bulls at Exploria Stadium on July 27th.
