The USL Championship side defeated Sporting Kansas City, 5-4, in the penalty-kick tie-breaker, 5-4, in the semifinals after playing to a scoreless draw over 120 minutes before a crowd of 11,569 at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif.
Sacramento will try to become the first non-MLS club to win the Open Cup since the Rochester Rhinos (A-League) pulled it off in 1999. It will meet Orlando City SC, which pounded the Red Bulls, 5-1, in its semifinal.
Vitiello is accustomed to winning championships. In 2013, he helped Massapequa High School and the Massapequa Arsenal (Long Island Junior Soccer League) to the high school and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association state titles in both competitions. For MHS, Vitiello secured 13 shutouts in 19 matches while conceding six goals.