KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Zakaria Taifi has seen a lot in Orlando City SC's history. Growing up in the City Beautiful, he has been a part of the Lions' Academy since the USL days, watching them rise to the MLS rank in 2015. He was also around to witness Orlando raise the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy in 2022, the first title in the MLS era for the Lions.
Beacuse of that, he knows how much weight the competition carries for the Club.
"It's not something to take lightly," Taifi said at Orlando Health Training Ground at Osceola Heritage Park ahead of Wednesday's Round of 32 Open Cup match in Naples, Florida. "It's a big tournament. We already won, and we want to win again. That's the main goal."
The 2022 Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which ended in a 3-0 win over Sacramento Republic FC, was a moment for the Club that signified the continued upward trajectory it had been working towards since the Lions entered the league. It was a turning point in more ways than one, something that this year's team hopes it can do once again.
That journey for Orlando begins on Wednesday, when the Lions make the roughly four-hour trek south down I-75 to face USL League One side FC Naples at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. FC Naples, founded in January 2024 and just a year and a half into its existence as a professional club, has already proven to be a strong side. In their inaugural 2025 season, they went unbeaten in their first eight matches, finished fourth in the league out of 14 teams and became the first USL expansion team to host a playoff game, which they won in a penalty shootout victory over reigning champion Union Omaha. Now in their second season, they sit at the top of League One with a 4-1-1 record.
For Orlando and Taifi, they're expecting a tremendous atmosphere in front of a sold-out crowd in Naples.
"I'm sure it's going to be electric over there," he said. "I feel like they're pretty excited. It's going to be a great game. We're excited to go there and start our cup run."
The turnaround for the Lions has been tight. Orlando played Sunday, returned home, trained and now hits the road again for the midweek cup tie.
"We're professional, so we know what we have to do," Taifi said. "It's a pretty tight turnaround, but we're all ready and feeling good."
The Lions are also carrying a bit of momentum heading into the fixture after a 1-1 draw at Columbus. After the past few league results, it was a big performance that has given the team some much-needed confidence heading into a two-match week.
"I think it's a big step for us," Taifi said of the result. "Disappointed not to get three points, but we showed a lot of fight. It's a big step in our new path."
With that confidence building, the focus shifts entirely to Naples. For a side still searching for its best form in MLS play, the Open Cup offers a chance to build rhythm, sharpen the collective, and secure a result in a tournament setting, regardless of the opponent.
"Everyone has one goal. The goal is to win, no matter who it is, USL League One or MLS," he said. "We don't care who it is. We're going to go out there and find our form and perform."
Kickoff at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the match streaming live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network.
