The match between AV ALTA FC and Orange County SC became an instant classic with drama throughout Tuesday night’s Third Round match in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
After overcoming an early Orange County goal and taking the lead, AV ALTA saw the visitors score an 83rd minute equalizer to send the match into extra time tied at 2-2. The match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout where AV ALTA would bring Denzil Smith off the bench to replace starting goalkeeper Carlos Avilez. The gamble paid off as Smith made a save as the USL League One side advanced to the Fourth Round by the score of 4-2.
In the 13th minute, Orange County opened the scoring from a corner kick with a quick pass back to Ousmane Sylla who dribbled down the end line and drilled the ball above goalkeeper Carlos Avilez and into the roof of the net.
At the 25-minute mark, right back Miguel Pajaro slid and was hit in the head, which sidelined him. He would return to the match four minutes later with his head taped up.
In the second half, AV ALTA started asking questions of the OC defense, attacking the right side of the pitch. After a few corners the home team was able to get on the board from a header from Luca Mastrantonio in the 67th minute. The ball was curled in by Walmere Martinez and met the head of Mastrantonino inside the six-yard-box.
A few minutes later, ,AV ALTA would complete the comeback with a go-ahead goal from Emmanuel Alaribe. With the home crowd behind them, AV ALTA would find themselves on a run into the Orange County box. Mastrantonio would center the ball to Alaribe who managed to get a foot to the ball after it was deflected by a defender and he beat the keeper in the 75th minute.
Just as AV ALTA appeared to be in control of the game, OCSC snatched it back with the tying goal in the 83rd minute. Ousmane Sylla delivered a ball to the head of Mouhamadou War who tied the game. After a stalemate in extra time, the game will be decided in penalties.
AV ALTA would make the rare goalkeeper change just before the end of extra time but it wouldn’t pay off until the third round. After both teams scored their first two attempts, Orange County’s Kyle Scott had his attempt blocked by the subsitute goalkeeper, which brought the crowd to a frenzy. Sebastian Cruz would convert to put the home team up 3-2 and he signaled to the crowd to calm down. Moments later, Nico Benalcázar would send his attempt over the top right of the goal to give AV ALTA FC to seal the game with another goal. The captain, Miguel Pajaro, with his head still taped, calmly went to the spot and sunk the final penalty to send AV ALTA to the Fourth Round in the club’s inaugural Open Cup run.
After the game, AV ALTA FC head coach Brian Kleiban said his team is building to try to get better.
“Every game, being down we reacted and find ways to get the win,” said Kleiban, who was thankful to the strong fan support and the community in the Antelope Valley. “We are very excited to be playing MLS teams for this Cup.”
All 16 eligible teams from Major League Soccer will enter tournament next round. The draw for Round 4 is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
It was the third time advancing for the USL League One side with all three of those games being played at home in front of a vocal crowd at Lancaster Memorial Stadium in Lancaster, Calif.
“Keeping the momentum going at home with the fan support drives us to win,” said AV ALTA FC goalkeeper Carlos Avilez. “It definitely helped in this game.”