Sacramento Republic enters Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final knowing it will see a sold-out crowd at Exploria Stadium, facing Orlando City as only the second non-MLS team to reach an Open Cup final.

However, Sacramento Republic coach Mark Briggs feels confident in his team’s attitude under pressure. That’s because Republic’s run to the final has been remarkably poised by topping three MLS sides along the way and never trailing in any of the games.

“I think obviously the guys have done well of going ahead in games and not trailing,” Briggs said. “It gives the guys confidence going into the game. But I think the past is ruled out going into a final. All sorts of things can happen and our guys just have to be prepared for whatever comes their way, whether that’s positive, whether that’s negative, just whatever comes our way and we’ve got to understand whatever comes our way.”

Orlando City has reached its first final since joining MLS in 2015. By contrast to Sacramento’s run, Oscar Pareja’s side have been on a wild ride. The Lions won two matches in penalty shootouts, over Inter Miami and Nashville SC. One of the most memorable victories came as Facundo Torres scored in extra time, three minutes are Inter Miami struck.

Before 2015, Orlando City and Sacramento Republic were top USL sides, and Republic captain Rodrigo Lopez remembered the teams’ last USL matchup, a scoreless draw in the regular season.

Lopez has come up big in Republic’s run to the final, scoring early against the LA Galaxy in the quarterfinals before sealing a Round of 16 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Republic are led by Lopez in midfield and anchored defensively by an experienced back line led by Irish centerback Lee Desmond.

“For us, it’s just preparing like we’ve prepared for every other game,” Lopez said. “We take every game serious, but obviously this one has a little more importance. Within us it’s just good vibes and being ready to face a strong Orlando side.”

Republic’s run through the Open Cup has reignited attention on the club’s MLS aspirations. Sacramento had a strong MLS bid in 2019, but the withdrawal of key investor Ron Burkle in 2021 put the possibility on hold. Sacramento continues to pursue a new stadium and to strengthen its MLS bid, but the outlook seems bleak as the league pursues other expansion options.

Briggs said his side’s Open Cup run has injected positive energy amid a difficult stretch for the city’s MLS hopes.

“Our club’s obviously had some disappointing news over the past 18 months, which kind of put a gray cloud over the club, and I think this group of players and this gentleman sitting next to me (Lopez) has put a light above the cloud and has kept the flame burning strong and we have fantastic support and we have some positive energy around the club now and around our city,” Briggs said.