Orlando City Soccer Raise First Trophy in the MLS Era With 3-0 Shutout Victory to Win U.S. Open Cup
By Orlando City Soccer // September 9, 2022
orlando city clinch Club’s first-ever Concacaf Champions League
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – On Wednesday night, Orlando City SC lifted its first trophy since its Major League Soccer tenure began, winning the 107th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in front of a sold-out crowd at Exploria Stadium.
The Lions defeated USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC by a score of 3-0, finishing atop a field of 103 teams to win $300,000 in prize money and punch their ticket to the Club’s first-ever Concacaf Champions League.
The city was led by a brace from Facundo Torres, who finished the side’s tournament as its leading goal-scorer with four finishes.
Torres found the back of the net in the 75th and 80th minutes, respectively, with Homegrown forward Benji Michel sealing the victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time with his second finish of the competition.
Michel and Torres each recorded an assist in the match as well, providing the helper for each’s first goal of the evening.
Capping off a run of six-consecutive Open Cup matches at Exploria Stadium, the Lions made history as the first side to host that many matches en route to an Open Cup title, with Wednesday’s crowd serving as their largest of the tournament with a capacity crowd of 25,527.
Fans are encouraged to celebrate with the team on Thursday, Sept. 8, with Orlando City set to take its celebrations to the steps of City Hall in downtown Orlando. The event is set to begin at 12 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“Cheers after the Final. It makes it difficult to analyze the game. I think it is important to recognize that Orlando has won the first title here and we are proud of the community and the Club and the players.”
“To have this opportunity to lift this trophy means a lot against a really tough rival. [It was] a very competitive match. In the first 50 and 60 minutes, it looked like a really tough Final. After that, we could open the score as we gained more confidence against the block that they had in the back.”
“We are proud. Congratulations to all involved in this trophy. We are very grateful for tonight. Just have to continue and just give a lot of joy to the community.”
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