Orlando City SC were the highest seeds in the U18s category to emerge from the Development Academy Playoffs, ranked at number two. Their run to the Academy Championships was halted last Friday by the team seeded 30, Colorado Rapids.
Liam Johnson and Rhys De Sota were on the scoresheet for the Rapids, after Orlando had taken the lead with 16 minutes gone. Orlando struck early, but the dogged determination of the Rapids allowed them to book their trip to Carson, California with less than two minutes left.
Having beaten Orlando in Florida, the Rapids will fancy their chances of going all the way, as they take on Texans SC Houston this Friday on neutral territory in the semifinals of the Development Academy Championships.