Orlando City Soccer advances in Open Cup

(Photo: OCSC)

By Mike Gramajo

Wednesday night was a historic night for the Orlando City Soccer organization. 

Both Orlando City SC (USL PRO) and Orlando City U23s (PDL) advanced to the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) and Charleston Battery (USL PRO) respectively. 

OCSC topped Tampa 4-1 at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, behind a brace from Kevin Molino and goals from Adama Mbengue and Austin da Luz. It was the fifth meeting between the Lions and Rowdies, which also resulted into a fifth consecutive victory for the Orlando side. 

Meanwhile, the Orlando City U23s stunned USL PRO side Charleston Battery after the match was decided in a penalty shootout after their match ended in regular time 2-2. While the penalty shootout went 14 rounds, it was the resiliency the Young Lions pulled at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Orlando City will face Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 17, with kick off set for 9:00 p.m. ET. Both sides met last year at the Citrus Bowl during Open Cup play, which saw the Lions crank a 3-1 victory. 

While the PRO side travels to Colorado, the Young Lions visit MLS side Portland Timbers also on June 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET.