Orlando, the defending USL Pro champions, are off to a great start this season as well. They are 7-0-2 since their season kicked off. Orlando has plenty of experience on their roster, Kyle Davies and Jamie Watson are MLS veterans, and there's good pedigree in the team as well, with the son of Stoke City manager Tony Pulis, Anthony Pulis and the brother of Wayne Rooney, John Rooney. OCSC made their way into the 3rd round by beating local USASA, the KC Athletics 7-0 last Tuesday. The thing that could be working against Orlando is that they'll be on their 4 game in 8 days. And while 3 of those games have been in Orlando, it's definitely not going to be easy to be on their 4th game in such a short period of time.
Kansas City is on shorter rest though with only 1 off day in between. The team has given out mixed signals on the type of lineup that they'll put out tomorrow. Last week Peter Vermes said that he'd likely use two different lineups. But articles out today seem to point to the potential for players that went 90 minutes last night to get similar minutes tomorrow against Orlando. It would appear that after playing only 23 minutes against San Jose, due to injury, Seth Sinovic will get a run out again with casts on both hands. The other thing that appears to be certain is that home grown player, Jon Kempin will get his first career start in a competitive match tomorrow in goal. The one thing to keep in mind with regards to the lineup is that per the rules for the cup, KC can only have 5 internationals on the 18 man roster for the game. I think we will see a few players from Sunday get a start again today, but it'll mainly be reserves.
Kempin
Ellis - Olum - Besler - Sinovic
Nagamura - Sassano
Joseph
Dwyer - Saad - Peterson
Key Match Up - Lawrence Olum vs Orlando - Olum was signed late last season from Orlando and this is an opportunity for Olum to go up against his former side. So far I personally haven't been impressed with his play, hopefully he steps up to the occasion.
PREDICTION - This game scares me immensely. The team is saying all the right things ahead of this game, but it's one thing to say the right thing, it's another thing for them to actually go through on it. Orlando is a good side, better than Richmond. KC cannot fall asleep in this game. A loss wouldn't be the end of the world but would be a big disappointment. I want to predict a win in this one, but I'm incredibly worried that it won't happen.
SKC - 1 (Saad)
OCSC - 2 (Rooney, Griffins)
I dont think Richmond happens last year w/o the rain delay, that was just a really wierd situation.
ReplyDeleteThat however doesnt change the fact that this would be no small task for the standard 11.
Lil'K has looked great the 3 reserves matches I have been able to watch, thougt I believe it was from the LB spot.
I know it's not in the agreement, but KSMO should broadcast U.S. Open Cup matches that take place at Livestrong. Sporting is doing a great job of growing a fan base for soccer here, why not now help grow the importance of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by televising our games. Let's show the rest of the U.S. how it's done. It's time to start making this cup as prestigious here as the FA Cup is in England.
ReplyDelete