Sources: Sacramento Republic files complaint over Orlando City spy

Sacramento Republic has filed a complaint with the U.S. Soccer Federation, alleging that an Orlando City SC staffer was spying on its training session ahead of Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final, multiple sources told ESPN.

ESPN television analyst Taylor Twellman was thefirst to report the news of the staffer's presence at Sacramento's practice, and that the U.S. Soccer Federation, which runs the tournament, is aware of the situation.

A spokesperson for the USSF added that the Federation is «looking into it,» and confirmed that a USSF film crew has footage of the incident.

Orlando said in a statement that «the Club has been made aware of the matter regarding Sacramento's training session and is cooperating with U.S. Soccer.»

The Orlando staffer, who sources tell ESPN was recognized by a Republic equipment manager as having a connection to Orlando manager Oscar Pareja, was asked multiple times to leave over the course of a 30-45 minute period. The staffer insisted he was there to meet a friend who was coaching on a nearby field. Republic staff even went so far as to park two vans in front of the individual to obscure his view of training, only to have him move to another location before finally departing.

An Orlando club source confirmed the presence of the staffer but said that there was «no coordinated effort» to have the individual observe training and that the staffer didn't report back with any information.

The incident took place on Monday at Central Winds Park, a public park in suburban Winter Springs, Fla. In a bid to achieve some privacy, the Republic had chosen not to practice at Orlando's training facility, but then had difficulty securing another place to train, and was thus forced to train at the park.

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