El Farolito isn’t through with scoring upset victories in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and has obtained yet another historic result on the road, this time in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley.
The National Premier Soccer League side came from behind to knock off USL League One’s Central Valley Fuego FC 2-1 in Merced, CA thanks to two goals from striker Dembor Benson.
El Farolito, an amateur club named after a local Mexican restaurant in San Francisco, became the first NPSL side to upset consecutive professional team opponents in regulation, previously stunning MLS NEXT Pro side Timbers2, 2-1 at Providence Park in Round 1.
Orange County FC was the last amateur side to beat two professional teams in the same tournament, defeating FC Golden State Force (USL-2), 2-0, before advancing against Orange County SC (USL-C), 2-2 (5-3 PK), but their second round match went to penalties.
Lopez called for intensity from his players and went on the offensive from the beginning. Fuego FC had trouble advancing from its own half as El Farolito put high pressure on its back line in an attempt to recover the ball closer to goal.
In the 12th minute the NPSL side almost opened the score early on as Benson connected a header that bounced off the post and ended up in the hands of Fuego FC keeper Andre Zuluaga.
Fuego FC was awarded a penalty just a few minutes later following a slide tackle inside the box, which Jose Carrera-Garcia converted into a goal to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
However, El Farolito kept pressing as Benson found the late first-half equalizer, capitalizing on a rebound from a long ball inside the box, and placed it in the bottom right corner of the net.
Lopez’s team remained persistent in pushing forward during the second half and came close. Just as they did in Round 1, El Farolito came from behind to win it thanks to a late goal from Benson, who netted the ball in the 88th minute at the far post following a pass from Sebastian Yabur inside the box.
This was Benson’s third goal of the cup and his second match-winner after scoring the decisive goal in the previous round against TImbers2.
Benson celebrated the win with his teammates, all of whom called him over for the team photo in front of the scoreboard as he carried his son in his hands with him.
“To me this is more than just a team, it’s a big family,” Benson said. “I’m so happy and proud to be a part of this. It’s not easy to get on a bus and travel five hours to beat such a tough team. It’s been nothing but joy for me since this team opened its doors to me.”
Regardless of picking up a win over Fuego FC head coach and former USMNT standout Jermaine Jones, El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez expressed how grateful he is to lead his team to victory in the tournament.
“I’m very honored to be a part of the US Open Cup and be involved with this group,” Lopez said. “Jermaine Jones is a great coach. Regardless if it was him or someone else we still have to compete, and I wish him all the luck in the world.”
It’s the club’s first time in the Third Round in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup.