Tough road ahead to qualify for condensed U.S. Open Cup
Orlando City players listen to coach Oscar Pareja ahead of a preseason training session.
The opening three matches of the 2021 season will hold extra weight for Orlando City after U.S. Soccer decided to adjust the qualification process for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The federation canceled the opening round for the tournament, which was previously scheduled to begin on May 4, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Open Cup committee said this is to prevent teams from needing to add more cross-country travel to their spring schedules.
Instead, the tournament will begin with the Round of 16, which will feature eight MLS teams, four USL Championship teams, one National Independent Soccer Association team, one USL League One team and two Open Division teams.
The MLS competitors in the U.S. Open Cup will be determined by the top eight teams in the league table by May 3.
The Lions play three matches before May 3 — the home opener against Atlanta
United April 17, a road match in Kansas City April 23 and a home match against FC Cincinnati May 1. The team will be missing several major players for these matches.
Star playmaker Mauricio Pereyra will serve a red card suspension from the 2020 playoffs for the first two matches of the season. Pereyra, designated player, is considered the heart of the offense by coach Oscar Pareja, and his dynamic presence typically defines matches for the Lions.
Starting left back João Moutinho is also questionable for the opening month of the season after undergoing hip surgery in December. Although his surgeon predicted a four-to-six month recovery window, Pareja has been optimistic that Moutinho might return by the opening month of play. Right back Kyle Smith has been filling his position during preseason matches.
Star striker Daryl Dike is also unlikely to return early from his loan to Barnsley in the English Championship, which is set to end in May. Although Pareja has voiced continued confidence Dike will return for the 2021 season, the Lions haven’t suggested any plans to activate the recall clause in his loan contract.
The striker position will be fortified by the arrival of Brazilian striker Pato, who will join Tesho Akindele and Matheus Aiás in the goal-scoring unit.
The Round of 16 is scheduled to begin May 18, but the committee will reassess the viability of the tournament on April 19. If the committee determines it can’t hold the Round of 16 at that time, the tournament will be canceled for 2021.
If the tournament continues, the quarterfinal round will take place May 25-26, with a semifinal round June 15-16 and the Open Cup final June 29 or June 30. Every match of the tournament will be live streamed on ESPN+.
The Lions previously advanced as far as the semifinal round of the tournament in 2019.