Central Valley Fuego FC got a late goal from Shavon John-Brown in the 82nd minute that secured a tough road victory against FC Folsom at Folsom Lake College in the opening round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Only a year in existence, FC Folsom was making their inaugural Open Cup appearance after becoming the first team ever in the UPSL NorCal North Division to qualify for the tournament via the four-game Qualifying Rounds. They certainly gave FC Fuego everything they could handle, but the visitors survived and came out on top 2-1.
Fuego FC captain Jason Ramos got the scoring started in the 9th minute. After a corner was played short, Ernesto Espinoza turned towards goal and whipped a left-footed curling ball towards the back post, which Ramos powerfully headed home.
FC Folsom would level the match in the 51st minute on a corner kick by captain Dalton Pando, who found Moshi Wilondja in front of goal to make it 1-1. Both sides had ample opportunities across the next 30 minutes, until John-Brown sealed the match.
Fuego FC coach and former US international standout, Jermaine Jones was pleased with the result, although he expressed some frustration over the lack of accommodations for his team who traveled over three hours for the game.
“I think the match was good, but everything around the match is sometimes difficult,” said Jones. “We arrived here and we don’t have chairs in the locker room and that should not be. Then you realize why MLS is saying they don’t want to play. If it’s not professional, that’s where I step in and say it’s not good. in the end, I am just happy with the result, it was an open game for the fans, and now we focus on the league.”
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Jones also credited the go-ahead goal to the team’s ability to keep the moving and make it difficult for FC Folsom, which is something he had been saying leading up to the match.
With the win, Fuego FC punched their ticket to the Second Round and will find out later this week who play on either April 2 or 3. Meanwhile, FC Folsom now turns their attention to UPSL play.
