ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2019) - Orlando City SC advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals for the first time in Club history on Wednesday night after defeating 2015 expansion rivals New York City FC in a penalty shootout.
The two sides battled to a 1-1 draw after regulation, with Chris Mueller scoring his first Open Cup goal in the 61st minute. The visitors equalized late in stoppage time to force the match into extra time.
After a scoreless extra time period, the two clubs were forced into a penalty shootout, where the Lions prevailed 5-4 after six rounds. Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis made two saves in the shootout, including the game-winner when he guessed right and saved Maxime Chanot’s strike to the left side, sending the Lions through to the Semifinals for the first time in their history.
The Lions will face Atlanta United FC in the Semifinal round on August 6 or 7. A draw to determine the Semifinal hosts and the priority order for hosting the Final will take place tomorrow (July 11) at 2 p.m. ET and can be seen live via U.S. Soccer’s Twitter page @opencup and at usopencup.com, the official tournament website.
Head Coach James O’Connor:
“Obviously exceptionally proud of the whole football Club. I think when you look at tonight, I think we’ve created a little bit of history. I think we won the biggest game in the Club’s history, I think, when you look at the fight, the mentality. Granted the last minute we would expect not to concede a goal like that, but I thought the composure when it did go to penalties was excellent. I thought the mentality was very strong. Just immensely proud of the supporters as well. I think when you look at the way they were tonight, they kept pushing and driving and singing and chanting and then at the end even when the penalties is on the far end for the supporters, to just not accept it and come all the way around and get behind the goal, what a special memory for the football club. Just an incredible memory for all of us here tonight.”
Scoring Recap:
61’ Chris Mueller (Nani) - ORL 1, NYC 0
The Lions got on the board after Sebas Méndez won the ball at midfield, and played Nani on the left wing. The Portuguese midfielder took it down the left side before crossing a ball into the penalty area. His cross found the head of Chris Mueller at the far post, who hammered it home for the finish.
90+6’ Maxi Moralez - ORL 1, NYC 1
Jesús Medina sent a ball into the Lions’ 18-yard box from just past midfield, that bounced in the area before Maxi Moralez was able to stab at the loose ball for the late equalizer.
Match Notes
- The Lions advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Semifinals for the first time in Club history.
Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis registered three saves in the match and two in the penalty shootout to send the Lions through to the Semifinals. - Chris Mueller’s finish in the 61st minute served as his first goal in U.S. Open Cup play in his career and his sixth of 2019 across all competitions.
- Nani recorded his ninth assist of the year and his first in the U.S. Open Cup in his career.
- The game served as City’s third match over an eight day span, having played last Wednesday and Sunday against Philadelphia. The Lions will play eight matches over the span of 26 days, with Wednesday’s game the third of that series. The team now holds a 1-1-1 record across all competitions in that time frame.
Next Match: Orlando City returns to MLS action on Saturday when it hosts the Columbus Crew at Exploria Stadium. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Chris Mueller (Nani) 61’
NYC - Maxi Moralez 90+6’
Penalty Kick Summary:
ORL - Tesho Akindele (Goal)
NYC - Alexander Ring (Save)
ORL - Kyle Smith (Goal)
NYC - Valentín Castellanos (Goal)
ORL - Dom Dwyer (Save)
NYC - Anton Tinnerholm (Goal)
ORL - Will Johnson (Goal)
NYC - Keaton Parks (Goal)
ORL - Dillon Powers (Goal)
NYC - Jesus Medina (Goal)
ORL - Uri Rosell (Goal)
NYC - Maxime Chanot (Save)
Misconduct Summary:
NYC - Sebastien Ibeagha (Yellow Card) 38’
ORL - Sebas Méndez (Yellow Card) 65’
NYC - Valentín Castellanos (Yellow Card) 82’
NYC - Maxime Chanot (Yellow Card) 90+2’
NYC - Anton Tinnerholm (Yellow Card) 95’
ORL - Benji Michel (Yellow Card) 113’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Adam Grinwis; D Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, Lamine Sané, Ruan; M Will Johnson, Sacha Kljestan (Dillon Powers 73’), Sebastián Méndez (Benji Michel (106’); F Nani © (Dom Dwyer 81’), Tesho Akindele, Chris Mueller (Uri Rosell 90+1’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Brian Rowe; D Alex de John; F Santiago Patiño
New York City FC - GK Brad Stuver; D Ben Sweat, Maxime Chanot, Sebastien Ibeagha; M Jesús Medina, Ebenezer Ofori (Anton Tinnerholm 80’), Alexander Ring, Juan Torres (Keaton Parks 64’); F Maxi Moralez (Justin Haak 110’), Héber (Valentín Castellanos 73’) , Ronald Matarrita
Substitutes Not Used: GK Luis Barraza; D Alexander Callens; M Daniel Bedoya
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: July 10, 2019
Attendance: 7,227
Stats:
Possession:
ORL - 36.1%
NYC - 63.9%
Shots:
ORL - 14
NYC - 16
Saves:
ORL - 3
NYC - 2
Fouls:
ORL - 16
NYC - 23
Corners:
ORL - 9
NYC - 7
