2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Red Force FC to make 5th trip to USOC after win over City Soccer

On a warm Sunday night at Kendall Soccer Park, with a spot in the US Open Cup on the line, Red Force and City Soccer delivered a fierce, emotional, high-stakes showdown that lived up to every expectation of a “win-and-you’re-in” battle. From the opening whistle it was clear both sides understood exactly what was at stake: survive, advance, and write their names into the most iconic tournament in American soccer.

City Soccer burst out of the gates with energy and ambition, carving out two clear scoring opportunities in the opening minutes that immediately put Red Force on the defensive. The pace was intense, the touches sharp, and Red Force needed a few minutes to settle into the rhythm of the match. 

It was City Soccer who struck first, capitalizing on their aggressive start. A dangerous attack down the flank eventually found its way to Auner Escobar, who made no mistake in front of goal to give City Soccer a 1–0 lead. It was a deserved advantage based on the early flow of the game.

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Red Force, however, are no strangers to pressure. Their response was almost instantaneous. A beautifully constructed attacking sequence ended with Santiago Fajardo launching himself into a full-stretch diving effort, only to be denied by an excellent reaction save from the City Soccer goalkeeper. That moment served as a turning point—Red Force settled in, found their confidence, and began imposing their game.

The match quickly grew chippy, as expected from two clubs fighting for a life-changing opportunity. Hard tackles, heated confrontations, and rising tension became part of the narrative as both teams refused to back down.

Red Force found their breakthrough midway through the first half with one of the most polished plays of the night. A sharp give-and-go sliced open the City Soccer defense before the ball was whipped across to the far post, where Stiven Salinas arrived perfectly to tap it in and level the score at 1–1. It was a brilliantly executed goal—simple, quick, and lethal.

Despite City Soccer controlling large stretches of possession in the first half, it was Red Force who carried the momentum into the halftime break. Their confidence grew with every pass, every duel, every transition. At 1–1, it felt like the match was tipping in their favor.

That feeling proved accurate almost immediately after the restart. Red Force came out flying, creating danger with every attack. They had a goal from Santi Fajardo called back for offside—a decision that brought heated protests—and followed it up with two more chances that sailed just wide of the City Soccer net. The warning signs were bright and blinking.

Then came the explosion.

In the 62nd minute, John John Díaz stepped up from distance and unleashed an absolute missile from outside the box that bent away from the goalkeeper and crashed into the back of the net. Four minutes later, in the 66th, Díaz did it again—another long-range strike, another moment of brilliance, another dagger to City Soccer’s hopes. His quick brace flipped the game on its head and showcased exactly why Red Force remain one of the most respected amateur sides in South Florida.

But the match wasn’t without controversy. In the 72nd minute, Santiago Fajardo—who had been a constant threat all night—was shown a second yellow and then a red card after a heated tackle near midfield. The decision sparked outrage on the Red Force sideline, and tensions reached a boiling point as City Soccer pushed desperately to take advantage of the extra man.

Even with 10 men, Red Force refused to sit back. Their shape tightened, their defensive lines held strong, and City Soccer struggled to generate meaningful danger in the final third. Red Force played with grit, unity, and a deep understanding of game management—hallmarks of their identity.

In the dying moments of stoppage time, with City Soccer throwing numbers forward, Red Force delivered the knockout punch. In 90+4, David Ochoa found himself with a pocket of space just outside the area and ripped a stunning shot that flew past the City Soccer keeper to make it 4–1. It was the exclamation point on a statement performance—one that left no doubt about which club rules the amateur scene in Kendall.

When the final whistle blew, Red Force stood tall, victorious, and deservedly on their way to the U.S. Open Cup. City Soccer fought bravely and showed quality early, but once Red Force found their rhythm, the difference in experience, composure, and firepower became undeniable.

On this Sunday night in Kendall, Red Force didn’t just win a match—they delivered a message.

After the match, Red Force captain Steven Seballos summed up the moment with pride:

“I’m proud of the work this team and coaching staff has put in to get back into the U.S. Open Cup. We had to win some tough games to get to this point, but it feels good to be back in the most historic soccer tournament in the United States.”

And now, they march on to the biggest stage American soccer has to offer.