Orlando City SC (MLS) vs Sacramento Republic (USLC)

Wednesday, 09/07/22 - Exploria Stadium - Orlando, FL

In a recent interview with MLS Extra Time Radio, Orlando City SC head coach, Oscar Pareja praised his USOC Final opponents, “We have a lot of respect for Sacramento, too - we think they have done a terrific job getting in the final.” Then, with less than 24 hours before kickoff of the US Open Cup Final, to be played on their home turf, allegations of spying on the visitor’s training session surfaced and an Orlando City spokesperson admitted “The Club has been made aware of the matter regarding Sacramento’s training session and is cooperating with U.S. Soccer.”

Sacramento Republic landed in Orlando just 72 hours after suffering a disappointing loss away to USL Championship, Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City. Head coach Mark Briggs made 10 changes ahead of this USOC Final, and even brought Lee Desmond, a likely starter on Wednesday, off in the 37’ after Republic had scored a first-half equalizer. What they did not count on was Lou City going ahead again just before the half - then an hour and fifteen minute weather delay early in the second half. When the teams came back out, most of the home fans had gone home and those who stayed were rewarded with a fairly fun match and a third goal for Louisville in the 87’ to seal the deal.

USL could have, and should have, worked with the teams remaining on the schedule to give Sacramento at least a week of preparation before they headed off to face a MLS team with a bigger budget, home field advantage, and Boris & Natasha working for the front office. Truth be told, it may amount to nothing more than a distraction from the soccer on offer. Sacramento are currently in 4th place in the USL-C Western Conference with 7 matches to go, including a home match this coming Saturday against Loudoun United. Since their impressive USOC Semifinal win, Republic’s form has been inconsistent with three losses and two wins in their last five.

For the season, they have 10 different goal-scorers for a combined 39 goals and have a +6 GD in league play. Rodrigo Lopez, who has been pivotal in their cup run, has not scored since their August 6th match vs RGV Toros. It will be essential for Sacramento to get their goal early and make the hosts chase them - they have won 4 of their 6 contests by scoring early, making teams chase them, and adding one on at the end to seal it. With Sporting they failed to do that, but SKC also failed to do anything and the match went to penalties and they blew out USL2 opponents 6-0 in their opener. Sacramento have outscored their USOC opponents 14-2 and Lopez is the tournament leader with 4 goals - he needs to add to that tally to be the first non-MLS team since the Rochester Rhinos in 1999 to win the tournament.

Club Legend Roro has been imperious for the indomitable Sacramento Republic

The history of Orlando City SC is a little convoluted - founded originally as the Austin Aztecs in 2008, the team moved to Orlando and rebranded as Orlando City with the full intent of having an iteration of the team join Major League Soccer. In 2011, their first year as Orlando City, they won the regular season title as well as the USL Pro Championship - the won the regular season title again in 2012 then won the USL Pro Championship again in 2013. They failed to win either in 2014, their last year in USL. The rights to their USL team now reside in Louisville City - who just defeated Sacramento Republic in their respective league.

Since joining MLS in 2015, Orlando City have not finished better than 5th in the Eastern Conference and only in the last two seasons have they even progressed to the playoffs. That being said, they are currently sitting a playoff position and are on a 4-match winning streak. Orlando City have had a whole week off, unlike Sacramento, and are coming off a 3-2 win over CONCACAF Champions League winners, Seattle Sounders. They’ve also scored 35 team goals in the regular season, but have given up 40 and have a -5 goal differential. Facundo Torres, Ercan Kara, and Tesho Akindele are in good form - each with a pair of goals in the last four regular season games.

Orlando entered the US Open Cup in the Third Round with a 2-1 win over USLC side Tampa Bay Rowdies; they also beat Philly Union 2-1 then had to go to penalties in both wins over Inter Miami and Nashville. In the Semifinal, however, they absolutely blew NY Red Bulls away 5-1 and have a total of 9 goal-scorers with 11 goals. Unfortunately for the home side, one of their DPs (Designated Players), Alexandre Pato, has flown home to Brazil to undergo knee surgery. Oscar Pareja should still have plenty of firepower, home field advantage, and a beleaguered opponent - what he doesn’t have is any excuse to lose this match and no reason to deploy a spy to their underdogs training session.

Ultimately, while the allegations are serious, Orlando has denied that the observer with ties to the club had reported anything back. Meanwhile, Sacramento state that they had to park team vans to block the uninvited guest from observing the session and that he moved around them and continued to watch. We will see what the day brings - hopefully a US Open Cup Final to remember! The tournament has been a wild ride and the finale is on ESPN+ tonight at 8:00 pm (EST) or 5:00 pm (PST) for us on the West Coast.

- Joshua Duder