After an incredible 6-5 sudden death penalty shootout victory over Nashville SC (1-1 A.E.T.) in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarter-finals, Orlando City SC now host New York Red Bulls in the semi-finals.
Hosting a U.S. Open Cup semi-final for the second successive tournament, City are just 90+ minutes away from hosting a potential final and 180+ minutes away from lifting their first trophy in the Major League Soccer era.
Casting our minds back to June 29, Orlando City SC had to yet again go through the agonising ordeal of penalty kicks after 120+ minutes.
But just as they did against Inter Miami in the Round of 16, the Lions prevailed from 12 yards.
With only Andrés Perea missing his PK, the famous 6-5 victory over a difficult Nashville SC side will long be remembered at Exploria Stadium.
Especially considering Orlando City SC were just two minutes away from U.S. Open Cup elimination.
After nemesis Hany Mukhtar’s opportunistic strike gave Nashville SC a 52nd minute lead, it was difficult to see City recovering.
Inconsistent and unconvincing leading up to the quarter-final, Orlando City SC huffed and puffed with Elliot Panicco largely untroubled in the Nashville SC net across the ninety.
It really did feel like a massive opportunity was passing the Lions by. That was until Rodrigo Schlegel had other ideas!
In the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, Schlegel popped up in Nashville SC’s penalty box. Talk about being in the right place at the right time!
The Argentine’s right footed shot from the centre of the box found the bottom right corner (1-1) to send The Wall into ecstasy.
The tide really turned when Sean Davis received a second yellow card (and red) only a minute into extra-time.
With Orlando City SC patiently waiting to kill off Nashville SC’s 10 men in extra-time, the Lions couldn’t break them down and had to settle for penalties.
But penalties are what we do best, right?
In a PK shootout that reached sudden death, Pedro Gallese‘s save on Eric Miller proved the difference – incredible!
The PK victory saw the Lions win a shootout for the seventh consecutive time in our Major League Soccer history – remarkable!
Heading into this semi-final, New York Red Bulls almost threw away a three-goal lead but won 3-4 at Austin FC in MLS on Sunday.
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 2015/22 head-to-head stats
The last time Orlando City SC faced New York Red Bulls, the Harrison, New Jersey-based side achieved their third consecutive win over the Lions.
Comfortably winning 0-3 at Exploria Stadium on April 24, City passed up a huge opportunity to go top of the Eastern Conference.
After the high of defeating Columbus Crew and Tampa Bay Rowdies within just five days, this City performance was incredibly tepid.
With Alexandre Pato, Facundo Torres and Ercan Kara completely nullified throughout the game, the Orlando City SC defence were poor too.
Luquinhas, Cristian Cásseres Jr. and Lewis Morgan (penalty) grabbed the goals in a completely one-sided affair.
Orlando City SC 0 New York Red Bulls 3 – Highlights – April 24, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Winning the last THREE MLS head-to-heads, New York Red Bulls now hold NINE MLS wins to City’s FIVE.
On Orlando City SC‘s last visit to Red Bull Arena (May 2021), Caden Clark and Cristian Cásseres Jr. scored either side of the half giving the Lions a mountain to climb.
With City suiting up in the 2021 Orlando City SC Adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey instead of purple, substitute Silvester van der Water almost stole a road point in Harrison, New Jersey.
Entering the game in the 63rd minute, the Dutchman grabbed his first Orlando City SC goal on 84 minutes before skying a golden chance to equalise just four minutes later.
New York Red Bulls 2 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – May 29, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
As an all-action central midfielder, Cristian Cásseres Jr.’s main job is to help with transitions.
However, when the Venezuelan international faces Orlando City SC, he continues to find the scoresheet.
Scoring TWELVE career goals in MLS, THREE of these goals have come against the Lions.
Finding the net in each of the last THREE head-to-heads, the 22-year-old has been a menace to City over the course of 2021/22.
Orlando City SC form
Orlando City SC‘s path to the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-final has been anything but straightforward.
Indeed, BOTH SIDES HAVE SCORED in all FOUR of the Lions’ cup fixtures so far this tournament.
Even despite dominating our third round victory (2-1) over Tampa Bay Rowdies, a 65th minute Lucky Mkosana strike made City sweat.
Tougher, tight games against Philadelphia Union, Inter Miami and Nashville SC followed with City requiring two penalty shootouts to eliminate the latter two sides.
In many ways, it’s been fortunate that Orlando City SC have contested all four cup games at Exploria Stadium.
The home crowd has needed to be the twelfth man late on and in extra-time when City have required a psychological boost.
Orlando City SC 1 Nashville SC 1 (A.E.T.) (6-5 on penalties) – Highlights – June 29, 2022 (Credit: Nashville Soccer Club)
New York Red Bulls form
Also entering the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the third round, New York Red Bulls haven’t once required extra-time to advance to the semi-finals.
Reflecting on Red Bulls’ run, Gerhard Struber’s side have scored AT LEAST TWO GOALS in all FOUR cup ties so far.
Dispatching USL Championship side Hartford Athletic 1-2 in round three, Red Bulls have eliminated three MLS sides since.
A 0-3 win over rivals D.C. United in the Round of 32 preceded 3-1 and 3-0 home victories over Charlotte FC and rivals New York City FC.
A much more convincing campaign, Orlando City SC will know they’ve been in a game, especially given a place in the final is on the line.
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