FC Naples Hosts Orlando City in Pivotal U.S. Open Cup Match

Naples' new soccer club faces off against MLS powerhouse in historic tournament clash.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a soccer match, with overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange hues.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes U.S. Open Cup clash between upstart FC Naples and MLS powerhouse Orlando City.Today in Orlando

FC Naples, a second-year club, is preparing to host Orlando City SC in a pivotal second-round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the longest-running soccer tournament in the United States. This marks the first time an MLS team has played in Naples, and it brings added excitement as Orlando City's top draft pick, Harvey Sarajian, is a Naples High School graduate with the chance to make his professional debut in his hometown.

Why it matters

The U.S. Open Cup provides an opportunity for lower-division clubs like FC Naples to test themselves against the top professional teams in the country. A win over Orlando City would be a major upset and boost the profile of the young FC Naples franchise, while also giving the hometown fans a chance to see their local talent, Sarajian, take the field against the MLS powerhouse.

The details

FC Naples is making its second consecutive appearance in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup after losing in penalties to the Tampa Bay Rowdies last year. Now they face an even tougher challenge against Orlando City, one of the top teams in MLS. The match is a sellout at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, and fans are eager to see if the upstart FC Naples can pull off the upset.

  • The match is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • This is FC Naples' second year in existence.

The players

FC Naples

A second-year professional soccer club based in Naples, Florida.

Orlando City SC

A Major League Soccer club based in Orlando, Florida.

Harvey Sarajian

Orlando City's top draft pick, a Naples High School graduate with the opportunity to make his professional debut in his hometown.

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What they’re saying

“I've had so many people texting me, asking me for tickets or if I'm gonna be there and obviously I can't give any answers because I'm not sure yet, but it'll be such a special night for me to be able to play with so many people that have helped me through my career and my journey to this point.”

— Harvey Sarajian, Orlando City's Top Draft Pick

What’s next

The winner of the FC Naples-Orlando City match will advance to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, bringing them one step closer to the championship.

The takeaway

This historic matchup between the upstart FC Naples and the MLS powerhouse Orlando City provides an exciting opportunity for the local club to make a name for itself on the national stage. A win would be a major boost for the young franchise and showcase the talent of hometown hero Harvey Sarajian.