ORLANDO, Fla. (June 28, 2022) - Orlando City SC returns to action in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 29, hosting fellow Major League Soccer (MLS) side Nashville SC in the Quarterfinals at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with tickets available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY, with fans able to tune in on ESPN+.
The two sides will square off for the first time in 2022, with the Lions looking for revenge following a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Nashville in the First Round of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs last November. Prior to that, the clubs had faced off three times in regular-season action in 2021, with each match resulting in a draw.
The Lions punched their ticket to the Quarterfinal round via penalty kicks in the Round of 16 over intrastate foes Inter Miami CF. Following a scoreless regulation, the two sides played to a 1-1 deadlock in extra time, with Facundo Torres scoring for the Lions, before goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar made one save and City converted all four of its attempts from the spot to secure its Quarterfinal berth.
City enters the midweek looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat at FC Cincinnati this past Friday in league play. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made a season-high eight saves, but a 65th-minute game-winner from the Orange and Blue’s Brenner sent the Lions home empty-handed.
Ercan Kara leads the Lions with seven goals in all competitions this campaign, while Mauricio Pereyra holds the team high in assists with nine to his credit.
Nashville clinched its spot in the Quarterfinals following a come-from-behind victory over USL Championship side Louisville City in the Round of 16. With the home side taking the lead in the 37th, Nashville responded just two minutes later with a finish from Aké Loba before Hany Mukhtar netted a late game-winner in the 89th minute to send Nashville to the Quarterfinal round.
The 2021 expansion side enters Wednesday’s match after taking a 3-1 victory from Audi Field this past Saturday over D.C. United. An early goal from Daniel Lovitz in the sixth minute followed by a brace from Mukhtar sent the visitors home with all three points.
Following Wednesday’s match, the Lions return to action for a Fourth of July fixture against D.C. United. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with tickets available here or by calling (855) ORL-CITY.
