Who You Got? Lions Or Rowdies?

Tonight is a pretty exciting time for Colorado Rapids, even though the Rapids do not play until Sunday.  Tonight at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Florida sees Orlando City Soccer Club host Tampa Bay Rowdies for the right to progress and play our Burgundy Boys at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.  Should Tampa Bay win, the Rapids would host the Rowdies on June 10.  If the future MLS side Orlando City gets the victory, the Rapids will battle the Lions on June 17.

The match would seem like one that Tampa Bay should win as they are the higher division side (NASL), however the US Open Cup is a tournament that is full of upsets.  (I will not bring up Steward Ceus and his "performance" last year as Orlando City defeated the Rapids).  Orlando City is a USL Pro club (third level of the US Soccer pyramid) but is in preparations for their move to Major League Soccer for the 2015 season.  The current records of both clubs:

Tampa Bay Rowdies - (2-3-2) - 9 points.  The Rowdies sit sixth in the 10-team NASL table.

Orlando City SC - (8-0-3) - 27 points.  The Lions sit first in the 14-team USL Pro table.

You have to think the edge goes to Orlando City based on form and playing a home match.  But it would be fun to see the Rowdies and Matt Pickens and Anthony Wallace make their return to Dick's Sporting Goods Park in June.