Only four teams remain from a modern era-record original field of 103. One of those, the Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship, are keeping alive the dream of lower-division strivers everywhere. They’ll have their hands full as they host a Sporting Kansas City side trying to salvage a rocky season by becoming the first club from Major League Soccer (MLS) to win five Open Cup crowns.
Out on the East Coast, in the night’s early game, both the New York Red Bulls and Orlando City hunt a first-ever Cup (either MLS or Open) when they face off at Exploria Stadium in steamy Central Florida.
Just two wins away from lifting the American game’s oldest prize, and U.S. Soccer’s National Championship, no one’s pulling any punches. Read on for a closer look at what’s on the Semifinal menu.
Dreams and History in California’s Capital
Sacramento Republic’s Quarterfinal win on the road against LA Galaxy was their second against MLS opposition in 2022 Open Cup play. It also saw the second-division side from California’s often overlooked capital city become the first non-Major League Soccer team to reach a Semifinal since FC Cincinnati did so while playing in the USL in 2017.
Sacramento, led by reigning USL Championship coach of the month for June, Mark Briggs, will want to go one more and become the first team from outside MLS’ rare air to reach a Final since 2008.
“Why not us?” asked the 40-year old coach, a former USL Championship coach of the year during his time with Real Monarchs, ahead of the club’s debut Cup Semifinal. “We’ll be up against it, sure, but we have nothing to lose. We’ll prepare our guys for what they’ll see and the atmosphere and give it our best shot. Hopefully it will be enough to get into the Final.”
