Orlando City Begins US Open Cup Play
Tuesday marks yet another first for the Orlando City history books as the club begins its first season of US Open Cup play against USASA Region II side ASC New Stars. The Lions are now a part of an American soccer tradition that dates back to 1914. The match will be played at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex.
City’s first opponent represents what makes the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup unique. ASC New Stars are an amateur team from the Houston area. They qualified for the tournament through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) regional tournament. Much like the FA Cup in England, the Open Cup allows all amateur and professional teams the opportunity to qualify for the tournament.
The New Stars come into the match as the champions of Region II of the USASA. They defeated fellow Houston area club Regals FC 2-1 in overtime in the Region II final over Memorial Day weekend. Regals FC also qualified for the tournament and stand to be Orlando City’s next opponent should both Regals and the Lions advance.
The Lions will bring a new look line-up into the match. Several players are being rested ahead of the Lions national television debut on Saturday. This opens up opportunities for local products Justin Fojo (Lake Mary) and Dennis Chin (Oviedo) to get their first starts of the season. Recent signing Charlie Campbell and reserve goalkeeper Sean Kelley will also be receiving their first starts of the season.
A victory in the match advances the Lions to the second round of the tournament. They will face the winner of the Charleston Battery/Regals FC match. If Charleston wins, the Lions will travel to Charleston. Regals will travel to Orlando should they emerge victorious. If the match is played in Orlando, it will take place at UCF.
Tickets for the match are $15 and are general admission. For more information, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com or call 407-536-5368
Proposed Line-up (unofficial):
GK: Sean Kelley
DF: Mechack Jerome, Wes Allen, Kieron Bernard, Jack Traynor
MF: Kevin Molino, Charlie Campbell, Justin Fojo, Jamie Watson
FW: Devorn Jorsling, Dennis Chin
