The winner of that game will meet the survivor of the other Semifinal between USL Championship underdogs Sacramento Republic FC and four-time champions Sporting Kansas City, who play later on Wednesday at 10:30 pm ET (LIVE on ESPN+).
The Open Cup Final will be held on September 6-7 or 13-14 at a venue to be determined (and based on results of these Last Four games).
Needless to say, Pareja is heading into the Semifinals in optimistic mood.
“There is no time to doubt here,” he said. “This is a Semifinal. It’s time for bringing all the tools in. We will be prepared.”
Orlando City entered MLS as an expansion team in 2015 and are now in position to secure a first title of any kind. Of course, Pareja knows that championship feeling already – and he would love to share with the Central Florida soccer community.
Dallas Cup Joy in Magical 2016
Under Pareja’s tutelage, FC Dallas enjoyed a magical 2016 season, winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and the Open Cup both. The Texas side defeated the New England Revolution in the Final at Toyota, Stadium in September of 2016. Maximiliano Urruti’s brace and tallies by Matt Hedges and Mauro Diaz countered two goals by the Revs’ Juan Agudelo.
“What I can remember most is the importance of what they put on that trophy for FC Dallas,” Pareja said. “I think the club after many years was eager to [win] the Open Cup ... and what it meant for the club, especially because we had some new youngsters that were coming through the academy, and we wanted to make that project solid. It meant a lot.
“It was a fantastic team we had as well,” the coach added about his Cup-winning Dallas side of 2016. “It was an important trophy for Dallas and gave some legacy there.“
Asked about his most memorable moment, Pareja doesn’t hesitate.
It’s being with his family to celebrate the achievement: “especially my son [because] he played soccer, too. We went around the field with the fans to see that explosion of joy. We shared it with ownership Dan and Clark [Hunt, FC Dallas co-owner]. One of the objectives was to win something for the city.“
Asked what he brings with him from 2016 to this year’s competition, the 53-year-old head coach said one should not look too far ahead and concerns himself only about the present.
“I will say just take every game at a time,” he said, adding his team must traverse a busy summer fixture list with league, Cup and international friendly matches clogging the schedule. Last week Orlando City dropped a 3-1 result to Arsenal (of the English Premier League) in a friendly. “I learned that from that busy schedule, also in 2016, when we achieved many things and we won trophies.“
Pareja later added: “The professionalism of the players has been excellent. We are trying to match the next game as it comes. Right now, it is the Open Cup Semifinal. That’s the priority.“
Different team, same coach. Pareja’s goals have remained the same for Orlando City.
Rollercoaster 2022 for Orlando City
In league play, the Lions have been on a rollercoaster this year. They began the season with a 7-5-3 record but have stumbled in their last seven matches (winning just once while being outscored 10-5).
Orlando City, in all, are in fifth place in the MLS Eastern Conference (8-8-6, 30 points).
“There have been ups and downs in the season, for sure,” Pareja admitted. “Still, I think we are in a qualification spot for the playoffs (MLS). And that’s not an easy thing to be part of.
