Academica SC

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Leonardo Fredes’ costly bicycle kick goal gives El Farolito win over Academica SC (video)

May 9, 2019 by Micaela Brewer

In the first knockout round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Academica SC and El Farolito went head-to-head for a spot in the Second Round. Although Academica’s home field in Turlock, Calif. was packed with their supporters, El Farolito, the 1993 US Open Cup champions, walked away from the match-up with a 2-1 win.

El Farolito, the club that won the US Open Cup back in 1993 under the name CD Mexico, are back in the tournament after being disqualified for switching leagues a year ago.

The first goal was scored by El Farolito in the 21st minute by Miguel Garduno and was assisted by Edson Cardona. The goal came off of a free kick taken by Cardona, who hit it to the near post where Garduno volleyed it into the opposite side of the goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

In the 34th minute of the match, Leonardo Fredes doubled the lead for El Farolito on what will likely be a finalist for goal of the tournament.

Hugo Viegas sprinted after the ball down the right wing and sent a low-driving cross into the box toward Fredes. Fredes met the ball running toward the near post, flipped the ball up into the air, and pulled off an incredible bicycle kick as he contorted his body to fire the ball to the far post and into the side netting. The celebration was tempered as Fredes injured himself as he fell to the ground after the kick. It was later revealed that Fredes broke his arm.

The goal was featured on Sportscenter’s Top 10 list on ESPN later that night.

?-Kick ✅
Broken Arm ✅
FULL Open Cup ✅@ElFarolitoSC ace Leonardo Fredes’ improv strike was so good he didn’t mind breaking his arm in the bargain &, oh yeah, it made @SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays of the day. #USOC2019 #UpForTheCup #SCtop10 ?⤵️ pic.twitter.com/KVS9wFFiGh

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 8, 2019

Coming out of the halftime break, El Farolito held a 2-0 lead as both sides were highly technical and played with a lot of possession and attacked the goal strategically. One of the key turning points came in the 54th minute of the match as El Farolito’s Walter Mazzolatti obtained a second yellow card. The double yellow on Mazzolatti left El Farolito with 10 men and would open the door for a comeback by Academica SC.

When it seemed like El Farolito had control of the game, Academica SC came back with a goal in the 72nd minute. Jorge Carmoa crossed the ball into El Farolito’s box which was cleared out back to Carmoa who shot it right past the keeper, through a crowd, which cut the lead in half.

Full⏰ between @AcademicaSC and @elfarolito_npsl in what was a really exciting match.

The red card for El Farolito raised some eyebrows, especially when Carmoa’s goal halved their lead, but they held on to advance to the next round of the ?#USOC2019

Highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/UArTAbYhaa

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 8, 2019

As the end of regulation is nearing, Academica SC had a chance to tie up the match much like they did in their previous qualifying match versus Marathon Taverna.

However, El Farolito held their own and kept Academica SC from scoring, which ended the match with a score of 2-1. El Farolito survives the first knockout round, and head coach Santiago Lopez along with the whole team celebrate and prepare for the next game.

With the win, El Farolito earns their first tournament victory in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup. Their last win in the competition came on July 17, 1993 when they defeated the United German Hungarians (Philadelphia area) 5-0 to win the US Open Cup title at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.

2019 Meet the Underdogs: Academica SC earns first US Open Cup berth after more than 40 years as a club

May 4, 2019 by Thomas Hodul

Academic SC poses for a team photo after their 1-0 win over the Oakland Stompers in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Brittney Virgo

Academica Soccer Club has been a staple of the California Central Valley soccer community for more than 40 years. The club is located in Turlock, Calif. between the cities of Modesto and Merced, and while Academica has a rich history, 2019 will mark the first time they have qualified for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Academica SC was founded in 1972 by a group of Portuguese immigrants who first came together to found Our Lady of Assumption Church in Turlock. The soccer club was created for the youth of the church to keep the culture and the tradition of their heritage ongoing. Over time, the club evolved into a full youth club with their own field located next to the church. Today, the club features both a boys’ and girls’ side, as well as a men’s team that competes nationally in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), as well as locally in Liga NorCal.

“There’s a few things that make us stand out in the lower division level of soccer, such as our own facilities and a full pyramid structure of teams, but the biggest thing that makes the club so special and unique is its people,” said club president Simon Bettencourt. “Not only the people that have been a part of the club for decades and built this team into what it is now, but also the new people who come out to support us and made the last US Open Cup match such a great atmosphere.”

Academica is known around Northern California for their large number of traveling fans, with as many as 50 or more fans traveling to away games in other NorCal cities. Additionally, the club recently established their own supporters group known as the Black and Gold Brigade. Those supporters made their presence felt in Academica’s final qualifying match, a dramatic penalty kick win over IPS/Marathon Taverna (Portland, Ore.), that clinched the club’s first-ever Open Cup berth.

The men’s team is led by longtime head coach Sergio Sousa who recalls watching his father play for the club as a boy. Sergio is also the assistant coach of the UC Merced men’s soccer program.

“It’s a big step for the club,” said Bettencourt. “Qualifying for the tournament shows the level of soccer we have in the area and adds to the high standard we want people to expect from the Central Valley. We’re hoping a deep run will shine some much-deserved attention on the talent we have here. We’re immensely proud to be representing the Valley on such a prestigious stage against top notch opponents.”

Academica began qualifying with a first round 4-1 win over fellow Liga NorCal side Davis Legacy back on Sept. 22. They were led on the night by a brace from Ramiro Ceja.

The club followed this up with a hard fought win on October 20 against another Liga NorCal side, Contra Costa FC. Led by a brace from Mane Villegas, the team jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the second half. Contra Costa would fight back with two goals, but Academica would hold off the comeback and win the game, 3-2.

After having to reschedule the initial third round qualifier due to poor air quality caused by the Northern California wild fires, Academica would go on to advance 1-0 over a 10-man Oakland Stompers side with a goal from Ceja.

Fans from Academica SC set off smoke bombs during the club's Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo — Fans from Academica SC set off smoke bombs during the club’s Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo

In the final round of qualifying, Academica would advance past Oregon club IPS/Marathon Taverna in a penalty kick shootout after the match finished 3-3 after extra time. It was one of the most dramatic games of the entire qualifying tournament. It looked as if the visitors were going to spoil Academica’s chances of punching their ticket as IPS led 2-0 heading into the 90th minute. However, Brennan Canfield pulled one back in the 90th, and Manuel Villegas pounced on a loose ball in the box five minutes into stoppage time to tie the game. After falling behind again in extra time, Gerardo Cazares would score directly from a free kick four minutes into stoppage time of the second extra time period to force penalty kicks. Academica goalkeeper Alonso Lara would make a couple of huge saves to help put his side into the US Open Cup proper with a 3-1 shootout victory.

“It was quite the rollercoaster ride,” said Bettencourt. “I was actually watching the last few minutes of regulation from behind our bench so when those two goals went in we went off and again when Gera scored that free kick, it was all a blur. Penalty kicks were gut wrenching but the feeling of euphoria after the match, celebrating with our players and fans on the field, is a feeling I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon.”

By qualifying, Academica SC is the only team that will take part in the US Open Cup from US Club Soccer, putting an end to a minor drought where the organization didn’t have a representative in the last two tournaments.

Academica features a few keys players who have helped them qualify and have been instrumental in the team’s league success. The team’s top scorer from last season is back, and last year won NPSL Player of the Week honors twice in 2018. The second of those awards came from a four-goal performance against Sonoma County Sol.

Alonso Lara has stepped in as the starting goalkeeper in his first season with the club. Lara brings experience playing in Mexico with Celaya FC, a club that played in the Mexican Second and Third Divisions, and a variety of NPSL clubs in Southern California, as well as a few stops with some arena soccer teams. Lara was also a finalist, and the last goalkeeper remaining, in season two of the soccer talent show Sueno MLS where players competed to earn a roster spot with Chivas USA or FC Dallas.

Midfielder Gerardo Cazares is the captain and scored two goals in the qualifying tournament. Ceja, who played his college ball at nearby Stanislaus State University, is one of the biggest reasons why the team qualified as he scored three goals in the competition, including the game-winner against the Oakland Stompers.

Academica are set to face former US Open Cup Champions El Farolito in Round 1 in a match up featuring the second and third-oldest clubs participating in the tournament.

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Academica SC uses 3 stoppage time goals to stun IPS, qualify for first time in PKs

April 7, 2019 by Micaela Brewer

Players from IPS Marathon Taverna (red) and Academica SC battle for the ball in a Fourth Round match in the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Brittney Virgo

In the final round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament, International Portland Select (IPS) Marathon Taverna (IPS) and Academica SC battled for a spot in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. At Academica Fields in Turlock, Calif., both teams were seeking their first-ever trip to American soccer’s national championship. It was a physical battle between the two clubs with more than 15 cards handed out, and the match ultimately finished with teams playing 9 versus 8.

Twice, the hometown Academica SC snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, scoring two late goals to send the match into extra time, and then scoring another equalizer deep into stoppage time of the second extra time period. In the end, after finishing extra time tied at 3-3, the match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout and the hosts did not disappoint, winning 3-1 to punch their ticket to the 106th edition of the US Open Cup.

Both teams came out with a fire and a drive to win. The first goal occurred in the 37th minute. A long ball was distributed by IPS goalkeeper Bernardo Palma Sosa, which got mis-headed by an Academica defender. Nathaniel Pogue ran in behind and went 1-on-1 with the goalie, and beat him to give the Portland, Ore.-based side a 1-0 lead.

IPS would add to their lead in the second half when Gerson Mejia scored in the 69th minute. Mejia took a quick touch and shot into the upper left side of the goal. Mejia then took off his shirt in celebration and added to the booking summary by earning a yellow card.

Academica SC made an amazing comeback in the final minutes of regulation. In the 91st minute, Brennan Canfield sunk the ball into the lower corner with an assist from Edwin Rodriguez. One minute later, the ball was bouncing in IPS’ box and Manuel Villegas pounced on it and volleyed it past Sosa to tie the game at 2-2 and force extra time.

In the first half of overtime, in the 98th minute, Borce Atanasov restored the lead for IPS for the visitors by putting one away on a pass from Alcides Thomas. A few minutes later, Thomas received a second yellow card and was sent off to leave IPS down a man.

Just before the end of the first half of extra time, Academica’s Adrian Plascencia was shown a second yellow, and Mejia from IPS received a straight red card. Another Academica player exited the game due to injury and was unable to be replaced because the home team had used all of their substitutions.

When the second half of extra time began, both teams were playing with nine players.

With stoppage time approaching, Academica’s chances of equalizing received a blow when Jose Barriga brought the home team down to eight players when he received a second yellow card.

With all of the injuries, cards and delays, roughly five minutes of time was added to the end of the second half of extra time and Academica took full advantage of the added time. ASC had a direct free kick a couple of yards outside of the 18-yard box. Gerardo Cazares sent the home crowd into a frenzy when he beat Sosa in the 124th minute to force a penalty kick shootout with the score tied 3-3.

The shootout began with IPS digging themselves a hole that they ultimately wouldn’t climb out of as Maxime Gorillot missed the target. After both teams traded goals, Jose Luis Rodriguez missed for Academica as Round 3 began tied at 1-1.

Alonso Lara stepped up for the home team by saving back-to-back attempts by Brannon Romac and Joaquim Capuia of IPS. Ramiro Ceja and finally Jorge Carmoa scored to win the shootout 3-1 and send Academica SC to the US Open Cup for the first time in club history.

Academica head coach Sergio Sousa was proud of how his team fought through the adversity.

“There was a time where the guys were thinking that their bodies were failing them, but everyone just kept digging for each other. We look forward to representing the valley well .”

2019 US Open Cup Qualifying: Academica SC edges Oakland Stompers in wildfire-postponed match

January 6, 2019 by Michael Battista

It was a physical battle to kick off the New Year in a Open Division qualifying match for the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup as Academica SC moved past a ten-man Oakland Stompers side, 1-0. This game was originally scheduled to take place on Nov. 17, 2018, but safety issues surrounding the wildfires in northern California postponed the match.

With this win, Academica advances to the recently announced fourth and final round of qualification, which will take place the weekend of April 6-7. The draw for the Fourth Round will be announced following the conclusion of the two remaining postponed Third Round matches in mid-January.

Based on geographical locations, the most likely scenario is for Academica to face IPS/Marathon Taverna from Portland, Ore. in the next round. Academica and IPS are both attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup for the first time in their respective club’s history.

From the whistle, both sides struggled to get a decisive grip against one another and weren’t helped by the pouring rain which picked up around the 20th minute of play. Tempers and emotions ran high throughout the game, but it reached a breaking point right as the halftime whistle blew.

Academica forward Cody Golbad and Stomper defender Gilbert Coulibaly exchanged words before the latter gave a hard push into Golbad’s face. While it isn’t known what was said between them, the interaction earned Golbad a yellow card and Coulibaly a red – meaning his team would need to play the entire second half down a man. This was not pleasant news to the defender who continued to verbally harass the referee in protest, causing his teammates to intervene and help lead him off the pitch.

“That red card changed the momentum of the game,” Academica forward Ramiro Ceja said after the game. “It was a hard, physical game and kind of changed the reality of the game. kind of lost their heads with it and we took advantage to prepare ourselves and take over with the mistakes they did.”

He continued on to say that players on both sides were going down with hard tackles as the referee tried his best to keep order, which included doling out multiple yellow cards and warnings to both sides. But at a certain point, Oakland’s aggression on the field shifted the team’s focus to something that could be taken advantage of.

Despite being up an extra man for an entire half, Academica could not get an advantage early in the second half. Both teams got chances back and forth, with opportunities on both sides of the field to keep their team in it. But those tempers and the physicality persisted throughout.

The visiting team finally broke through against its Oakland hosts when Ceja knocked in the winning goal, unassisted, in the 80th minute. In the remaining 10 minutes plus stoppage time, the Stompers chances never felt threatening. Multiple offensive opportunities were blocked or cut off as Academica held on for the win.

Academica, which has local roots dating back all the way to the 1970s as a church youth group in Turlock, Calif., are now one step closer to qualifying for the US Open Cup. While they await to see who their next challenger is, Ceja knows preparation will always be the same.

“It’s everyday preparation,” Ceja said. “Making myself prepared making my sure my teammates, as family, get together. Making sure the team understands each player how we play. Making sure we understand why we do what we do to make the team more successful.”

2018 US Open Cup Qualifying: El Farolito follow up league title with dominant Round 2 win over Academica SC

October 24, 2017 by Thomas Hodul

MORE: 2018 US Open Cup Qualifying Results/Schedule

The 1993 Open Cup Champions, El Farolito, cruised into round three of qualifying with a 5-0 victory over Liga NorCal side, Academica SC, from Turlock, Calif. Coming off of winning another San Francisco Soccer League title just two weeks ago, El Farolito looked dominant in almost every facet of the game.

The game kicked off at 11:15 a.m. at historic Boxer Stadium, home to the oldest running soccer leagues in the country. El Farolito looked intent on defending their home field and earning a place in the third round of the 2018 US Open Cup qualifying tournament.

The match was fairly balanced for the first 10-15 minutes of the game before El Farolito was able to break though in the 15th minute with a wonderful team goal. Herbert Alferez received a great ball over the top before centering it to Marco Iubel who rounded the keeper and slotted it home to send the host on their way.

Academica had their best chance to equalize in the 32nd minute when Jorge Carmona went direct for goal off of a corner kick, but El Farolito stand-out defender Jansen Salton expertly cleared it off the line to maintain his side’s 1-0 advantage.

The host doubled their advantage just before the break when Herbert Alferez scored from the spot to make the score 2-0 in favor of El Farolito heading into the break.

El Farolito kept their foot on the gas like they usually do and added a third goal once again from the penalty spot, this time from Rodolfo Espiniza in the 50th minute.

Not long after that, in the 52nd minute, Academica’s top player of the day went down, needing an ambulance. This caused at least a 20-minute delay to the match. When the match resumed, it was played at a different pace, almost as if the match had already been finished.

El Farolito added two more goals in the lengthy stoppage time that was added to the game. One of these goals was from Ederson Da Silva who expertly finished into the side netting to make the score 4-0, before Jorge Hernandez added a fifth from the penalty spot.

The former champions secured their place in the next round and will host the UPSL side from Petaluma, Calif., Cal Victory, in Round 3 with a spot in the 2018 US Open Cup on the line.