A common phrase heard this time of year is, “Anything can happen in the Open Cup.”
And it did.
Brazilian forward Stéfano Pinho turned in a hat trick for Miami FC, the second-tier North American Soccer League team that beat Orlando City 3-1 at the Lions’ stadium Wednesday night in the fourth round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Leading up to the game, Orlando City coaches and players echoed the same message: We want to win a trophy.
Lions coach Jason Kreis said he would rotate players for the match due to a crowded schedule of MLS games coming up, but he believed the team was strong enough to advance.