After 103 teams entered the cup this year, we've got our final two. A packed-out Exploria Stadium hosts the first Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final since 2019.  

Remarkably, Orlando City have hosted all five of their 2022 Open Cup games so far and will do it again for the final. The Central Florida side have a chance to claim their first piece of silverware since joining MLS in 2015. The Lions have Colombian Oscar Pareja at the helm, who won this trophy with FC Dallas in 2016.

Seattle Sounders were the visitors in Orlando's last match, with the home side winning their fourth straight game. The CONCACAF champions looked to be in full control with a free kick from Albert Rusnák and a goal from the prolific Raúl Ruidíaz giving the Sounders the advantage. However, Facundo Torres inspired a comeback with his strike on the 53rd minute. Orlando won a penalty which was converted by Ercan Kara on 68 minutes; then for the third game in a row Orlando City scored a late winner with Kyle Smith's deflected shot giving the Boys in Purple another three points.

USL Championship side Sacramento Republic come into the final as the underdog. They beat top-flight sides San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, and Sporting KC on their route to Orlando, so will not pose an easy task at all for OCSC. Englishman Mark Briggs will be looking to make Republic the first non-MLS team to lift the cup since the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999.

The Quails tasted defeat last time out away to Louisville City. Emil Cuello's goal canceled out City's opener, but the rotated Republic side were not able to take any points away from Kentucky as Louisville ran out 3-1 winners.
 

Team news

Orlando fans will be hoping to see the return of center back Robin Jansson. The Swede hasn't featured for the Lions since their away win against the New York Red Bulls on August 13, but returned to full training this week. Alexandre Pato, Joey DeZart and Jack Lynn all remain out. Jake Mulraney will not be able to feature due to being cup-tied.

As for Sacramento, Mark Briggs has a full squad to choose from. 

Predicted lineups

Orlando: Gallese, Ruan, Antonio Carlos, Jansson, Moutinho, Urso, Araújo, Angulo, Pereyra, Torres, Kara.

Sacramento: Vitiello, Casey, Donovan, Desmond, Gurr, Fernandes, López, LaGrassa, Viader, Martínez, Keko.

Ones to watch

Facundo Torres

El Cuervo is really starting to turn up the heat at the business end of the season, with two goals and three assists in his last four games for the Lions, along with two goals in the Open Cup this year.

The Uruguayan has caught the attention of many clubs around the world following his $7.5M move from Peñarol in the offseason, including Arsenal, who he scored against in a friendly in July. 

Torres has impacted this team a lot recently and could run the show again on what is one of the biggest nights of his career so far.

Rodrigo López

Former Orlando City man Rodrigo López has been a key player for Sacramento this season.

The 35-year-old has 7 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, including goals against Portland Timbers u23's, Central Valley Fuego, San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy in the run to the final. 

The Mexican-born midfielder is definitely one for viewers to keep an eye on Wednesday night.

Last time out

The last time the two sides met was in the 2014 USL Pro season. 

Adrian Heath's Lions took a point back from California that day as the game finished 0-0. The only notable highlight was a dismissal for Sacramento's Alvarez in the 80th minute.

That season, Orlando City claimed the Commissioner's Cup, while Sacramento won the USL Pro Championship. 

How to watch

The final will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with kick-off set for 8pm ET/5pm PT. The pre-match broadcast will begin an hour before kick-off, with Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman on commentary duties.