Fans of the 109-year-old Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup live by its magic moments. And the whole of the 2022 competition – back after a two-year pause for the COVID-19 pandemic – tossed up a good few of those between March and early September. Join usopencup.com for a look back at eight moments and memories to savor from the First Round to the Grand Final at Exploria Stadium, where Orlando City SC won their first trophy as a Major League Soccer side and Sacramento Republic – the lower-league dreamers who inspired us all – finished proud runners-up.
A Field of Dreams in Florida
Orlando City’s entire road to the trophy was down on the field after the final whistle. On that same trimmed playing surface where they won all six of their games – never once having to take the show on the road – the moment was soaked up in some style. There was Mason Stajduhar, the team’s long-time back-up goalkeeper, cancer survivor – and the man who proposed marriage to his girlfriend on that very grass after an heroic winning performance in the early rounds. Oscar Pareja, who dropped to his knees in prayer and claimed his second Open Cup as a coach, had sympathies to offer the fallen side from Sacramento. The wide eyes of young Facundo Torres – two-goal hero of the Final – shone in awed reflection off the fresh-polished Open Cup trophy, while City’s star goalkeeper down the final stretch, Pedro Gallese, was draped in the flag of his beloved Peru. And Junior Urso, disguised behind a bear mask, helped turn a chaotic winner’s podium into a kind of bouncing early Halloween party.
More Meaning for Homegrown Hero
Among all the heroes of the day, whose names join the unique pantheon of Open Cup winners, one Benji Michel stands out. He entered the game – which resembled a form of medieval combat up to that point – with a half-hour to go. And his presence changed everything. His speed and the timing of his runs, broke brave Sacramento’s resistance. The barricades crumbled. He was involved in both of Torres’ goals and he got his own, the third, deep into stoppage. He held a purple club flag over his shoulder and marched before the fans after the final whistle – this son of the city of Orlando, raised up on its meaner streets. Members of his family, humble Haitian immigrants and a picture of pride, followed in a pack behind him. The 24-year-old homegrown star stayed down on the pitch longer than anyone – delaying the sticky locker room shower of beer and champagne. And one of the home fans, who manned the Wall in relentless chorus for 90+ minutes, went home with Michel’s effort-soaked shirt.
The Ecstasy and its Agony
Every Open Cup Final ends the same way. Ecstasy and history for one. Agony for the other. Several of Sacramento Republic’s players fell to their knees in instant desolation at the final whistle. But with a dignity in adversity they’ve shown throughout all seven games of their magical 2022 Open Cup run, they dusted themselves off and made their way over to the section of the stadium where over 1000 of their fans, who traveled the whole of the country in hopes of a dream being realized, cheered them on to an unlikely outcome. The Republic, who left three MLS teams in their wake in this competition, just couldn’t hang on against a late Orlando surge. And as if any further proof were needed of the essence and spirit of this heroic club, team hero and aging veteran, Rodrigo ‘RoRo’ Lopez – with his consolation silver around his neck – dragged his reluctant teammates to the winners’ podium to send Orlando City up to the trophy with handshakes and well wishes – and thanks for a damn good game. That simple act, and the whole of Sacramento Republic’s 2022 Cup run, will linger long in the memory.