Orlando City gets thrashed at Colorado Rapids, crash out of U.S. Open Cup

(Photo Courtesy of Colorado Rapids)

By Mike Gramajo 

Deshorn Brown netted a hat-trick, as the Colorado Rapids routed Orlando City SC 5-2 on Tuesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 

Midfielder Adama Mbengue and defender Luke Boden were the only Lions that were able to get on the scoresheet. After Mbengue’s opener gave OCSC the lead in the 22nd minute, Brown equalized the match 10 minutes later. 

The Rapids would go on to score three unanswered goals, two from Brown which solidified his hat-trick, and Nick LaBrocca got on the scoresheet before halftime. 

Boden’s goal in the 71st minute looked to inspire a comeback, but Dillon Powers’ goal in the 74th minute capped the match for the MLS side. 

Orlando City return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Friday, when they play host to Brazilian powerhouse Sao Paulo FC at 7:30 in an international friendly. 

OCSC go back on the road for USL PRO play the following Sunday when they visit the Dayton Dutch Lions. 

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. 

Orlando City top Ocala Stampede, set up Open Cup third round meeting with Rowdies

(Courtesy of Orlando City) 

By Mike Gramajo

SANFORD, Fla. — Strike duo Dennis Chin and Corey Hertzog each bagged a brace, as Orlando City claimed a 4-1 victory over the Ocala Stampede during second round play of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at the Seminole Soccer Complex. 

“It was a pleasing night,” Orlando head coach Adrian Heath said. “I take my hat off to Ocala. I got lots of respect to their coach. It’s 4-1, we missed lots of chances, and yet they’re still in the game.” 

Hertzog gave the Lions the early lead in the 14th minute after midfielder Aodhan Quinn found the striker open in the box, leaving the former New York Red Bull to bury a strike from close range. 

With the 1-0 lead in place, Chin doubled the lead in the 28th minute after Hertzog found the Oviedo, Florida native in a through pass to tuck the ball toward the net. Hertzog would go on to give OCSC the 3-0 lead before halftime, scoring on a penalty kick after an Ocala handball was whistled. 

The Stampede were able to get on the scoreboard in the 61st minute after Ben Knights converted on an Orlando City back line error, beating goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski. However, Orlando’s Dennis Chin capped the match in the 83rd after he executed on a deflection from an Ocala defender to make it 4-1. 

With the victory, Orlando City will meet the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 28 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, which will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.