ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando City Soccer Club begins the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign Tuesday against KC Athletics.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford, Fla.

“We know that we can’t treat the other team lightly,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath.  “We will give them the respect they deserve. It’s a chance for them to play against a professional team and for us it’s a chance to maybe get a chance to play a Major League Soccer (MLS) team.”

KC Athletics are an amateur team from Kansas City, Kan.  They are playing in their second Open Cup in team history.  In 2010, they were eliminated in the first round by NSC Minnesota Stars.  This year, KC won their first round match against Real Colorado Foxes 3-1.

Tomorrow’s match is Orlando’s first Open Cup tie of the season.  City opened last year’s tournament against amateur side ASC New Stars, and won 4-0 in a rain-soaked match that was delayed over 90 minutes by lightning.  That match saw several reserve players see significant minutes, and even led to the breakout of Dennis Chin as a viable option off the bench.  Heath will employ a similar strategy, especially with City facing three matches in five days this week.

 “We have to bare in mind that we play the LA Blues on Thursday,” said Heath.  “People who haven’t gotten a lot of minutes will be getting an opportunity on Tuesday. We’re hoping we get the result the want against KC and play our main guys again on Thursday against the LA Blues.”

The winner of Tuesday’s match will travel to Kansas City to play MLS side Sporting Kansas City.  For the Lions, it will be a chance to face off against familiar faces.  Last season’s Championship Game hero Lawrence Olum signed for KC in the offside.  Longwood native Graham Zusi is also having a breakout year for Sporting.  Zusi and Lions’ scoring leader Dennis Chin played together on the Central Florida Kraze, now the Orlando City U23s.

Tickets for the match are $15, and will be available at the gate prior to parking.  The match is also included in the 2012 Season Ticket package, so every season ticket holder will have a ticket waiting for them at the gate.  For more info on tickets, call 855-ORL-CITY.