U.S. Open Cup Preview: Charlotte FC vs Orlando City

May 9, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Charlotte FC News Release

When: May 9th, 7:00 PM ET | How to Watch:

The 2023 U.S. Open Cup is entering the 4th round where Charlotte FC will host a familiar MLS opponent and the 2022 U.S. Open Cup Champions, Orlando City. The match will be held at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews on May 9th at 7:00 pm.

What’s At Stake?

America’s oldest and longest-running soccer tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, was first held way back in 1913 when it was known as the National Challenge Cup. Unlike any other competition in the American soccer pyramid, this is the only tournament where at least 80 professional, semi-pro, and amateur teams alike all compete for the same trophy.

This is an opportunity for fans to watch their teams play against opponents they normally wouldn’t. It’s also a chance for clubs to win a trophy outside of their respective leagues. Not only is a trophy on the line, but the winner of the U.S. Open Cup also is granted a spot in the following year’s CONCACAF Champions League. The CCL is the premier continental tournament where teams from North and Central America compete against each other for the title of the best team in the region.

Orlando City

This won’t be Charlotte’s first time playing against Orlando City this year. They met almost exactly two months ago where the Crown earned their first win of the season beating the Lions 2-1 at Exploria Stadium.

Orlando City has yet to play in this year’s edition of the Open Cup, but their MLS season has been a bit of a mixed bag so far. They currently sit 9th in the Eastern Conference having won four matches, lost another four, and drawn two others. They’ve lost two of their last three league matches, with their latest coming against CF Montreal who won 2-0.

Their inconsistent season can be misleading as they still have one of the most dangerous attacking rosters in the tournament. Not to mention the experience they have in this tournament as the reigning champions. It will be a tough matchup that will demand just as much mentally as it will physically.

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