Tonight, Orlando City and the Philadelphia Union square off in Chester, PA for a chance to advance to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals. If the Lions win tonight it will be furthest they have ever advanced in this long-running tournament.
Head coach James O’Connor has sparred nothing tonight, as he puts forward a very strong lineup. The new gaffer made it clear earlier in the week of his intentions in this tournament.
“There’s a desperation from all of us to go as far as we possibly can in the competition. I think anytime we get an opportunity like that you want to really try and grab it.”
You can see his intent at the very top of the team sheet. Dom Dwyer will make his first U.S. Open Cup start of the season tonight.
Dwyer will be supported in the midfield by Josue Colmán, Sacha Kljestan and Chris Mueller with Colmán being the only player who didn’t play on the weekend.
In the defensive midfield Uri Rosell makes a return to the lineup after sitting out of the 18 on Saturday. He should be well rested tonight paired alongside Will Johnson.
In the back, we’ll see the debut of Shane O’Neill alongside Amor Tarek at center back. O’Neill’s homegrown rights were acquired from Colorado on June 22 and he was officially available for selection when the secondary transfer window opened on July 10.
O’Neill, 24, joined the Lions from Dutch club Excelsior Rotterdam, where he made 11 appearances between the senior and U21 sides in 2017-18. O’Neill scored one goal and made 31 appearances in 2016-17 for Dutch club NAC Breda, which he led to promotion to the Eredivisie.
At fullback tonight you will see Mohamed El-Munir on the left and Donny Toia on the right.
Starting XI presented by Orlando Health: Edwards Jr., El-Munir, Tarek, O’Neill, Toia, Johnson, Rosell, Colmán, Kljestan, Mueller, Dwyer.
Bench: Bendik, Powers, Rocha, Lindley, Allen, Schüler, Pinho
