Terrance Coakley / Orlando Soccer Journal

It took 120 minutes to get there, but Orlando City is moving on to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup, following a dramatic 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution.

“Obviously, very pleased to get through,” Head Coach James O’Connor said after the game. “I thought it was a very tough game, as we knew it would be. Credit to New England, I thought they put up a great fight. I thought it was a very difficult game for both football teams, back and forth. But I thought the heart and the commitment that the players showed was outstanding.”

After a scoreless 90 minutes, the game saw its first goal just six minutes into extra time, as Benji Michel scored off a rebound, marking the first goal scored by an Orlando City Homegrown player in their MLS era.

“James (O’Connor) just told me to work my ass off and enjoy it,” Michel said after the match on what his coach told him before he entered the field, “That’s what I did. Whatever it takes to win for the team and I gotta do what I gotta do.”

Tesho Akindele doubled the lead just five minutes later, knocking a ball off Revolution defender Andrew Farrell and rolling past Matt Turner. 

New England would add one back in the 117th minute when Justin Rennicks headed home a Carles Gil cross to cut the Lions lead to one, but the defense would hold on with some late heroics to pull out the victory

Wednesday’s result means that Orlando City will host a U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals match for the first time in club history. This is the fourth time in club history that Orlando has made it to the quarterfinals. Prior years include 2013, 2015 and 2018.

They will host New York City FC on July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for that game will go on sale Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. for season ticket holders and at 2 p.m for the general public.

Up next for Orlando

Wednesday at D.C. United at 8 p.m. at Audi Field.

Goal Summary

96′ – Benji Michel (Orlando City)

101′ – Tesho Akindele (Orlando City)

117′ – Justin Rennicks (New England Revolution)

How the Lions lined up

Orlando City XI: Adam Grinwis; João Moutinho, Robin Jansson, Lamine Sané, Ruan; Sacha Kljestan, Cristian Higuita (Carlos Ascues 44’), Dillon Powers (Alex De John 110’);  Santiago Patiño (Nani 65’), Tesho Akindele, Chris Mueller (Benji Michel 81’)

Orlando City Bench: Brian Rowe, Shane O’Neill, Kyle Smith

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