Orlando City News Release -- www.orlandocitysoccer.com
Monday, June 13, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. – Tuesday marks yet another first for the Orlando City history books as the club begins its first season of U.S. Open Cup play against USASA Region III side ASC New Stars. The Lions are now a part of an American soccer tradition that dates back to 1914. The match will be played at the UCF Soccer and Track Complex, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
City’s first opponent represents what makes the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup unique. ASC New Stars are an amateur team from the Houston area. They qualified for the tournament through the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) regional tournament. Much like the F.A. Cup in England, the Open Cup allows all amateur and professional teams the opportunity to qualify for the tournament.
The New Stars come into the match as the champions of Region III of the USASA. They defeated fellow Houston area club Regals FC 2-1 in overtime in the Region III final over Memorial Day weekend. Regals FC also qualified for the tournament and stand to be Orlando City’s next opponent should both they and the Lions advance.
The Lions will bring a new look line-up into the match. Several players are being rested ahead of the Lions' national television debut on Saturday against the Wilmington Hammerheads, which can be seen live on Fox Soccer at 7:30 p.m. This opens up opportunities for local products Justin Fojo (Lake Mary) and Dennis Chin (Oviedo) to get their first starts of the season. Recent signing Charlie Campbell and reserve goalkeeper Sean Kelley are also expected to receive their first starts of the season.
A victory in the match would send the Lions into the second round of the tournament. They will face the winner of the Charleston Battery/Regals FC match. If Charleston wins, the Lions will travel to Charleston. Regals will travel to Orlando should they emerge victorious. If the match is played in Orlando, it will take place at UCF.
Tickets for the match are $15 and are general admission. For more information, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com or call 407-536-5368.