San Diego Internacional hosted Laguna United FC as both UPSL sides sought a coveted spot in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Laguna rolled over San Diego Inter in a decisive 6-2 victory, claiming the club’s first-ever Open Cup spot with a chance to potentially prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.
Laguna United made the trip south to Mission Bay Stadium in San Diego with one thing on its mind and it showed. Within their crushing defeat of San Diego Internacional, they held a master class. Laguna operated like a well-oiled machine and had control of the entire match. This was in stark contrast to SD Inter who struggled to keep up with the visitors and essentially outplayed themselves.
LUFC came out guns a blazing, grabbing four goals lead by halftime.
Left wing Michael Barrazas was responsible for two of those. He struck early with a banger in the 9th minute that was set up due to a defensive miscue. Barrazas would take advantage of another mistake at the back and double the lead in the 25th minute.
In the 32nd minute, San Diego forward Marck Cruz Benito was able to get the home side on the board as he cut the lead to 2-1.
Eight minutes later LUFC would respond. After making it past Inter’s entire defense Barrazas came face to face with goalkeeper John Neves whom he was easily able to maneuver the ball past. Barrazas then got an assist for himself when he and teammate, striker Yousef Farah, deftly moved up the pitch getting into range. Barrazas sent a perfectly timed and centered ball to the waiting foot of Farah who slotted it past the keeper to make it 3-1.
While the display of teamwork previously displayed was a thing of beauty, Farah’s second goal was what fans live for. A Laguna corner created a small melee in front Inter’s net. Farah was able to take advantage of a loose ball and performed a perfect bicycle kick past an unsuspecting Neves to make it 4-1 right before the half.
“(The bicycle kick goal) was huge,” said Laguna United center back Ben Nicholson. “The three goal cushion made a big difference. And the manner in which it was scored definitely contributed to the feeling that the game was going to go our way.”
The second half was a more subdued event. Laguna United was still playing strongly, but they were more about containment. SD Inter was again in contrast of their opponents. They appeared to be overthinking the game, rather than playing more instinctive. Laguna United would extend their lead in the 50th minute when Farah rounded the goalkeeper and slotted it home to complete the hat trick.
Luke Raley did manage to get another for SDI in the 69th minute. But this would be the end of scoring for them.
Laguna United would add a sixth and final goal from the penalty spot when Luke Newman drew a foul inside the box. Ben Nicholson would convert the PK to deliver a memorable result for LUFC with the club’s first-ever trip to the US Open Cup.
“This is a historic moment for our club that really dates back to 10 years of hard work,” said Laguna United director of coaching Sam Nicholson. “Our UPSL team is driven by home grown developed youth players with 10 different age groups represented between the 2010-2002 birth years bringing our current top youth players and our alumni together to achieve this goal. To be part of such a historic cup and have our name in that hat for the real first round is proud for our whole community.”