ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Orlando City is back in the U.S. Open Cup! And what better way to start their run in the tournament than in the same way as they started their run in 2022: playing their old cross-state rival the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Seven changes sprinkle the starting lineup for the Lions from their last league game, with Head Coach Oscar Pareja opting to give some players more opportunities.
Javier Otero will make his third Club appearance tonight, as he will start in goal. In the backline, Kyle Smith will suit up at centerback alongside captain Rodrigo Schlegel, while Rafael Santos will play at left back.
Dagur Dan Thórhallsson will pair in the midfield with Cesar Araújo, 16-year-old Gustavo Caraballo will get his first official start with the club on the right wing, while U-22 signing Nico Rodriguez also gets his first start on the left.
Up top, Ramiro Enrique will look to get on the scoresheet for the first time this year.
On the bench, many of the Lions' starters will be available if needed, as well as OCB defender Zakaria Taifi and Homegrown midfielder Colin Guske.
Here's the rest of Orlando's lineup and bench for when the team takes the pitch at 7:30 p.m. ET on Paramount+:
Orlando City lineup: Javier Otero, Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel (c), Kyle Smith, Rafael Santos, Gustavo Caraballo, Cesar Araújo, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, Nico Rodriguez, MartÃn Ojeda, Ramiro Enrique
Substitutions: Pedro Gallese, Iván Angulo, David Brekalo, Colin Guske, Duncan McGuire, Luis Muriel, Zakaria Taifi
