A cool, rainy night in Carrollton, Texas, saw hosts FORO SC defeat Houston Regals SCA by a 4-2 score in a “Win & You’re In” match. FORO SC took the lead twice only to see Houston equalize each time. But after taking the lead for a third time, they would hold on for the victory. With the win, FORO SC qualifies for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row.
FORO SC have become perennial UPSL Championship contenders (three times in the UPSL semifinals), while Houston Regals are establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the Texas conference of the United States Soccer League (winning it all in 2022 and claiming the most recent Spring Texas title). Neither side considered themselves the underdog and neither played like it. Outside of the first and last five minutes, the game was end to end.
The kickoff was delayed slightly due to the weather holding up the arrival of the Houston side. The late arrival did cut into Houston’s warm-up time, and it showed for the first (and last) few minutes. After about a 25-minute delay, the game finally got underway. FORO took the proverbial bull by the horns and bossed the game early; their first look at goal, though called back for a foul, was after just 35 seconds. The hosts wasted no further time in opening their accounts. Manuel Lopez stabbed in a cross at the back post from Eric Gomez Silva in the 4th minute, setting the pace for the evening.
The trio of Edward Garcia, Victor Soria and Carlos Campos were a collective pest for the FORO defense. On the other side, Kyle Bennett, FORO’s talisman in last year’s tournament, was involved often in the attack and he had one assist tonight.
Houston’s first goal came from the head of Carlos Campos. A poor FORO defensive clearance led to a quick, free-flowing counterattack for Houston. Campos found himself with a free header from about a yard out after a beautifully floated-in cross from Edward Garcia in the 15th minute to level the score.
FORO re-took the lead for the second time from a corner kick. Kyle Bennett found himself in front of goal with a header opportunity, but his attempt lacked timing and power and ended up straight at the ground. The bouncing ball found Nigel Katawa who laced the rebound in for the second go-ahead goal in the 42nd minute.
The half would end a bit chippy, but nothing too serious, and the scoreboard would read 2-1 in favor of the home side.
Houston came flying out of the chute to start the second half. After just 67 seconds, Edward Garcia leveled the score from inside the penalty area. With the FORO defense in a bit of disarray, Carlos Campos settled a 15-yard pass, tapped the ball back to Victor Soria who hit a perfect leading ball through five FORO players for Garcia to run on to. Goalkeeper Gonzalo Martinez came well out to intercept but missed, and the ball rolled in from about 15 yards out. Houston had their second equalizer of the night in the 47th minute.
Houston looked like they might equalize a third time. Victor Soria had a trio of chances blocked all three times by Gonzalo Martinez in the 61st minute. Soria would have yet another terrific opportunity a couple minutes later but could not connect with the ball right in front of goal after splitting the center backs.
Despite the scoreline, both keepers had particularly good games.
FORO’s third goal was a masterpiece from Matt Albury. A sublime glancing header from just outside the near post to the back post in the 71st minute to put the hosts in front for the third time. A Houston player also got his head to the ball, but it was not going to be stopped. This goal would end up being the game winner.
In the 75th minute, Houston’s Pablo Hernandez had his arm extended from his body which deflected the ball inside the penalty area. The ball was heading goalward, and the arm came out away from the body. This was judged to be “DOGSO”, and he was sent off.
The resulting PK gave FORO a two-goal advantage for the first time on the night. Eric Gomez Silva stepped up and easily converted the penalty kick. FORO ramped up the pressure after the PK. Houston did not give up even when down to ten, and FORO did not park the bus. The final 14 minutes saw FORO ask all the questions and Houston give all the right answers, but the visitors were on the back foot for good after the penalty.
Eric Gomez Silva had a goal and an assist in the winning effort and Edward Garcia had the same tally in the losing effort for Houston.
The victory books FORO SC’s trip to the First Round proper in back-to-back years (2024, 2025). Saturday night’s win, extended FORO’s qualifying win streak to six games dating back to last year. In each of the last four qualifying games, FORO has scored four goals in each game.
Scoring Summary
FORO SC
4′ – Manuel Lopez (Eric Gomez Silva)
42′ – Nigel Katara (Kyle Bennett)
71’ – Matt Albury
77’ – Eric Gomez Silva (PK)
HOUSTON REGALS SCA
15’ – Carlos Campos (Edward Garcia)
47’ – Edward Garcia (Victor Soria)
RED CARD
76′ – Pablo Hernandez (Houston)