VSI Tampa Bay FC will take a break from their inaugural season in USL PRO to take part in the 100th Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, beginning Tuesday with a match against Orlando City U23s at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford.
As the 2012 PDL Southern Conference Champions, Orlando City U23s are a strong team that work in similar fashion to VSI’s structure in regards to player development.
The Orlando City U23s develop at the PDL level to move into the pro side. First team players Adama Mbengue and Jonathan Mendoza moved up from Orlando’s side, similar to VSI’s former PDL players Sebastien Thuriere and Jamie McGuinness, who moved into VSI Tampa Bay FC’s pro side.
VSI defender Sean Reynolds also moved up from Orlando PDL ranks into the VSI Tampa Bay FC professional world and returns to his former stomping grounds to face his championship winning team tomorrow.
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States and is open to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. This knockout tournament was first held in 1913. This year is the 100th anniversary of the cup.
The match in Sanford will kick off at 7 p.m. and tickets will be available at the match for $8 for adults and $5 for kids.