Welcome to the majors, FC Naples.
Major League Soccer’s Orlando City is coming to Collier County, as FC Naples — the second-year USL League One team — will be hosting the MLS team from Central Florida in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 match at 7 p.m. on April 15 at Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
FC Naples-Orlando City marks the first time an MLS squad has played a match in Southwest Florida, a milestone not lost on FC Naples head coach and sporting director Matt Poland.
“One, I am excited for the guys — because they earned this opportunity and it is an incredible testament to their success in the Cup so far to earn this,” Poland said. “But also, for the community. Some communities have been around with a pro team for years and years and never gotten an experience like this.
“So for us to host an MLS team in just our second year is fantastic, and I am happy soccer fans here get to experience it.”
The U.S. Open Cup is a knockout men’s tournament and is the nation’s oldest ongoing national soccer competition. It was first held during the 1913-1914 season as the National Challenge Cup, with Brooklyn Field Club winning a trophy donated by distiller Thomas Dewar for the promotion of American soccer.
The 2026 U.S. Open Cup began the 111th edition with 80 teams in a seven-round tournament, including 48 from all three professional tiers of the United States soccer league system and 32 in the “Open Division.” The competition began on March 17, with FC Naples winning its first-round match 3-0 on March 18 against NPSL side Red Force FC and then downing UPSL side FC America CFL Spurs 3-0 on March 31.