The current USL Championship title holders Orange County SC will cross county lines to face Los Angeles Football Club from Major League Soccer in a Third Round U.S. Open Cup match on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 pm at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. It will be the first time that OCSC and LAFC go head-to-head.
OCSC defeated NISA side LA Force, 5-2, in the Second Round while LAFC entered the competition alongside 16 other MLS clubs. LAFC reached the semifinal of the 108-year-old domestic cup competition in 2018.
Because the U.S. Open Cup was canceled the previous two seasons, this is just the third time in LAFC’s five year history that they have played in this tournament. Meanwhile, OCSC has competed for the Open Cup since the 2011 season.
For OCSC, the club has 10 players who have played minutes for MLS teams combining for nearly 300 appearances. OCSC has played an MLS club in the Open Cup on three previous occasions and has yet to emerge victorious.
The 2019 MLS Supporters’ Shield Champions LAFC enter the Third Round with a 4-1-1 record in league competition under the helm of former Las Vegas Lights FC head coach Steve Cherundolo. LAFC boasts the likes of former Mexican international Carlos Vela and current USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta. OCSC is 3-1-0 against teams coached by Cherundolo.
Despite this being the first meeting on the pitch, the two sides were once affiliated with each other from 2017 to 2018 to enhance player development. The winner will be entered in the Round of 32 draw to be held on Thursday, April 21 with eight more MLS clubs added to the competition.
Who: Orange County Soccer Club (USLC) vs LAFC (MLS)
What: U.S. Open Cup Match – Third Round
When: Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Time: 7:30 pm PDT
Where: Banc of California Stadium