In what was Texoma FC’s first-ever match, they fell short in the opening round of the US Open Cup to FORO SC. FORO SC won 2-1 with both goals coming from forward Brayan Padilla. Texoma’s lone goal came from forward Bryan McManus.
“The game was everything you expect to happen on this tournament,” said FORO SC head coach Alejandro Radilla. “At the end our boys showed the composure to stay in the game and come out with the victory.”
Early on, Texoma took control of the game but could not capitalize. In what looked like the moment they would take an early lead, Bryan McManus put the ball narrowly over the crossbar. McManus then went on to put the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute but was ruled out for offside. Shortly after, FORO SC would be awarded a penalty for a handball against Texoma which Brayan Padilla would slot home comfortably to put Foro 1-0 up.
Texoma still managed to control the game until disaster struck in the 26th minute when Texoma midfielder Ozzie Ramos was shown a straight red on the counter attack for denial of a goal scoring opportunity.
While FORO enjoyed the main share of possession playing 11 v 10, the game would find a way to balance itself when Nate Kopetsky of FORO was given a red card after a tackle which led to a mass altercation alongside the Texoma FC bench. FORO held onto their 1-0 lead into half.
Going into the second half, both managers down to ten men decided not to make any changes. In the 58th minute, on the counterattack, John Paul Jordan II played a lovely through ball to Lamin Jawneh who then put it into the box and Bryan McManus wound up on the other end of it to equalize at 1-1.
Late in the match both coaches tried to change their luck by using a couple of substitutions. None of the subs were able to make a major difference and the match ended 1-1 despite a clear cut chance from Texoma’s Solomon Asante in the 93rd minute in which he barely put the ball over the top with a header.
The decisive goal would come in the 100th minute from Brayan Padilla which would give him a brace on the night and ultimately give FORO SC the win over Texoma FC.
The win marked the second year in a row that FORO SC has upset a pro team in the US Open Cup. Last year, also in the First Round, they eliminated Austin FC II of MLS NEXT Pro in a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw.