Early Entry; Early Struggles
Orlando City entered the competition early as one of 17 MLS teams in the Third Round (based on the previous year’s low finish in the league standings). And they didn’t have things all their own way on their first date either. American soccer royalty and second-division stalwarts, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, came to Exploria looking for the Cupset.
Despite Pareja naming a strong squad, it was a tense battle right to the end for Orlando City. The 2-1 win (a scoreline that would become familiar) came thanks to goals from Junior Urso and Brazilian standout and former AC Milan star Alexandre Pato, with Pareja dedicated the win to “our people” in the stands.
The next two games were just as tight for the home team, who never hesitated to be up for the battle as is often chief among the demands of the Open Cup. Another 2-1 win over MLS’ Eastern Conference powers and 2018 Open Cup Finalists Philadelphia Union was punctuated by a wondergoal from Andres Perea.
But the biggest hero on that Round of 32 night was one Mason Stajduhar. A cancer survivor and long-time servant at the club since 2016, Orlando City’s back-up keeper made massive contributions all night long – including a game-saver in the dying moments of extra-time. And after that, he made good on a plan he’d hatched to propose to his girlfriend, Tatiana, down on the field in front of the club’s faithful.
“I don’t know which I was more nervous about – the game or the proposal,” said Stajduhar – who had a little help from best friend, fellow goalkeeper and Open Cup hero Grinwis, in pulling off the scheme.
●READ: Mason Stajduhar & the Open Cup Proposal
Momentum was building for the Lions ahead of the late May Round of 16 clash with MLS rivals Inter Miami. It was a battle for Floridian first-division bragging rights. Just like the two previous contests, this one had more tension than most fans could handle comfortably. Both goals in the extra-time draw came after the 90th minute and the penalty shootout was edged by the home side 4-2 after U.S. international DeAndre Yedlin hit high over the crossbar to send Inter out of their debut Cup.
All of that stress was nothing compared to what was coming for the fans at Exploria – who numbered 11,940 as part of a record-setting Quarterfinal Round. New Boys Nashville SC were in town and trying to cap their first-ever Open Cup run with a charge to the Semifinals.
