Taifi’s Stoppage-Time Strike Sends Orlando City Past New England in Open Cup Thriller

Key facts

• Orlando City defeated New England Revolution 4-3 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., on April 29, 2026.
• Zakaria Taifi scored the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time (90+2'), his first career goal for Orlando.
• The Lions erased three separate deficits, with New England leading 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2.
• Justin Ellis scored his second goal in as many games (70') and assisted Griffin Dorsey's equalizer (39').
• Iago scored his first goal for Orlando since joining from CR Flamengo, heading in a Tiago free kick (31').
• Marcos Zambrano-Delgado gave New England a 3-2 lead in the 58th minute with a strike from outside the box.
• Orlando City advances to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals for the first time since 2022.
• The match was the Lions' third in eight days, part of a four-game road stint.

A Night of Relentless Comebacks

Orlando City SC punched their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals with a breathless 4-3 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday night at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. The Lions refused to stay down, answering each of New England's three leads with an equalizer before Zakaria Taifi's stoppage-time strike settled the contest. The match was a back-and-forth affair from the opening whistle. New England struck first in the 21st minute when Malcolm Fry, played into the box by Eric Klein, held off his defender and finished at the near post. Orlando responded 10 minutes later as Iago rose highest to head home a Tiago free kick for his first goal in purple. The Revs reclaimed the lead in the 37th minute through a set piece: Gabe Dahlin recovered a loose ball in the six-yard box and laid it off to Andrew Farrell, who hammered a low effort into the net. That advantage lasted just two minutes before Ivan Angulo floated a ball wide to Griffin Dorsey, who played a one-two with Justin Ellis to slip through on goal and volley home Orlando's second equalizer.

Ellis and Taifi Emerge as Heroes

The tit-for-tat continued after halftime. New England took a third lead in the 58th minute when Marcos Zambrano-Delgado unleashed a shot from outside the box that beat the Orlando keeper. But Justin Ellis, a homegrown product, leveled the score in the 70th minute, slotting home a rebound off Tyrese Spicer's cross. Ellis has now scored in back-to-back games after finding the net in Orlando's 3-2 loss at D.C. United on Saturday. He also provided the assist on Dorsey's first-half goal, giving him three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) in his last three appearances across all competitions. The decisive moment arrived in second-half stoppage time. Martín Ojeda played a ball over the back line to Spicer, who crossed a low, driven ball into the box for Zakaria Taifi to tap in. It was Taifi's first career goal for Orlando, sending his side to its first U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal since 2022.

Key Performances and Milestones

Several players reached personal milestones in the victory. Defender Griffin Dorsey, acquired via trade from Houston Dynamo FC in the offseason, scored his first goal as a Lion. U22 initiative defender Iago netted his first goal for the club since joining from Brazil's CR Flamengo. Forward Tiago provided his fourth Orlando City assist of the year on Iago's tally. Interim head coach Martín Perelman praised his squad's resilience. 'A lot of happiness because of the result, especially because of the effort of the players,' he said. 'I think the effort of the players a couple of days ago, today, every game, I think that's the biggest point to highlight. I think we have an amazing group of players and when they need to show up, they do it, even during our transitional process.' The victory came amid a grueling schedule: Wednesday's match was the Lions' third in eight days. The fixture congestion has tested the squad's depth, but Perelman's side managed to advance despite the physical toll.

A Historic Tournament Run Takes Shape

Orlando City's quarterfinal appearance marks a significant step for a club that has not reached this stage of the U.S. Open Cup since 2022. The tournament, now in its 2026 edition, has historically been a proving ground for MLS sides to claim silverware and earn a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. For New England, the defeat ends their Open Cup campaign after a spirited performance that saw them take the lead three times. Malcolm Fry, Andrew Farrell, and Marcos Zambrano-Delgado each found the net for the Revs, but they could not hold off Orlando's relentless pressure. The Lions will now turn their attention to a busy stretch of league and cup fixtures. Their four-game road stint continues Saturday night when they travel south to face intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium.

What Lies Ahead for Orlando

Saturday's match against Inter Miami carries added significance as Orlando looks to build momentum in both MLS play and the Open Cup. The game will air live on Apple TV and FS1, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET. Beyond the immediate fixture, Orlando City's depth will be tested as they balance league commitments with cup aspirations. The club has already announced the future arrival of designated player Antoine Griezmann, who is currently competing with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semifinals against Arsenal. For now, the Lions can savor a dramatic victory that showcased their fighting spirit. As Perelman noted, the group has shown they can deliver results even amid a transitional period. The Open Cup quarterfinal represents a tangible reward for that resilience.

The bottom line

• Orlando City advanced to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2022 with a 4-3 win over New England.
• Zakaria Taifi scored his first career goal for Orlando in second-half stoppage time to seal the victory.
• Justin Ellis contributed a goal and an assist, extending his hot streak to three goal contributions in three games.
• The Lions erased three separate deficits, showing remarkable resilience in a high-scoring match.
• Orlando faces Inter Miami on Saturday in their next fixture, part of a four-game road trip.
• The victory came amid a congested schedule of three matches in eight days for the Lions.