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Azteca FC

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Switchbacks FC blank Azteca FC to remain perfect vs. amateurs

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Players from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Azteca FC battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Players from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks and Azteca FC battle for the ball in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks eked out a 3-0 victory over amateur side Azteca FC Tuesday night to advanced to Round 2 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. 

Jona Fjeldberg put the reserve-heavy home side up with a sixth minute free kick, and Masereka Sadam and Khori Bennett tallied assurance goals with less than 10 minutes to play. 

With the win, the Switchbacks improve to 6-0-0 all-time against Amateur opposition in Open Cup play.

Even before either team had time to get a feel for the match, Azteca’s Edgar Olivas was compelled to drag the Switchbacks’ Juan Tejada down after turning over the ball at the top of the penalty area. 

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Fjeldberg then went about his business, nonchalantly slotting the free kick low around the wall to put the home side up 1-0 while a good portion of the announced 1,500 in attendance were still in the beer lines. 

Being courteous hosts, the Switchbacks responded in kind two minutes later when Brennan Creek misplayed a ball in his own penalty area and then clumsily fouled Azteca’s Jovany Herrera in a scramble for the ball as it was going out of the penalty area, gifting the visitors a penalty in the eighth minute. 

Generally reliable in front of goal, Switchbacks goalkeeper Christian Herrera scuffed his making for an easy but awkward save. He spilled the ball back into play before Olivas skied the rebound into the parking lot. 

The penalty and play through the rest of the first half left Switchbacks head coach, Alan McCann fuming. 

“Just because the opponent is what they are , you do not play down to that level. It’s the same old mistake that you see a lot in the Open Cup. It nearly happened here tonight,” McCann said. “Chris pulls the heroics off with the penalty save. Literally, straight after we scored, we go and do that.”

From there, it became a game of half-chances and tactical fouls as the Denver-based amateur side clawed and scratched with 10 men behind the ball, limiting the Switchbacks chances. It was more of a game of checkers than chess before the professionals’ fitness and discipline finally overtook the pluck and the plodding of the amateurs allowing Sadam and Bennett to put the game away in the final ten minutes of the match with routine training ground finishes from inside the box. 

“The second half was a lot better. You see the power we have in this building when we switch it on. It’s difficult because they rose to the occasion and had some good talent out there,” McCann said. “But we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard. We did that in the second half.”

With the win, the Switchbacks advance to Round 2 of the Cup for the second year in a row.

2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Azteca FC clinch 5th USOC berth with PK win over Next Level Soccer

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Azteca FC celebrates after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC
Azteca FC celebrates after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC

A longtime participant in Open Cup qualifying, Azteca FC traveled south to face one of the qualifying newcomers, Next Level Soccer.

This was Next Level Soccer’s second attempt at qualifying – with no previous appearances in the tournament. At the start of the match, the hosts were 9-1-0, 28pts (1st) in the UPSL Premier Division – Arizona Conference.

Azteca FC made their eighth attempt at qualifying (2017-2018, 2020-2025) – having made it to the tournament four previous times (2017, 2018, 2022, 2024).

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Azteca finished the Colorado Premier League Fall season with a record of 5-1-2, 16pts (4th). In the playoff tournament, they defeated Harpos FC in the final to take their sixth consecutive title.

On a cool and very rainy evening in Gilbert, AZ, Next Level Soccer (NLS) hosted Azteca FC from Denver, CO. This was the first ever meeting between the teams. A high energy contest ended 3-3 after extra time, with Azteca winning the penalty shootout 4-3. About 100 boisterous home fans supplied plenty of noise.

The game started very fast with Next Level making the first push on goal in just the second minute. NLS Edgar Olivas opened the scoring for the visitors in the 7th minute, cleaning up a loose ball from a corner kick. The half would continue at a rapid pace throughout. Both teams were on the front foot for short spells.

Ex-MLS player, Don Tchiao, would level the score in the 41st minute. In a goal mouth scramble. Next Level’s leading scorer, Danny Baca put the home side in front, 2-1, in the 45th minute.

Don Tchilao would prove to be a pest on the wings all evening.

Azteca FC celebrate in the locker room after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC
Azteca FC celebrate in the locker room after defeating Next Level Soccer 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 3-3 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Azteca FC

Azteca’s Head Coach Andy De La Rosa said (about Tchilao), “Yes, he was , he’s a really good player, but our own mistakes really cost us in their first two goals.” On the game in general, “Other than that, I think we played a really good game and at the end we were better in the PKs.”

Next Level would not hold the lead for long. Luis Reyes found himself in a position to deal with a rebound in front of goal, and did, putting Azteca on level terms in the 53rd minute. No more goals would be scored in regulation despite shots flying at both ends.

In extra time, two more goals were scored. Azteca’s Eduardo Hermosillo scored in the 105+1 minute to send the visitors to the front. In the second half of extra time, just when it looked like Azteca would cross the line, Next Level’s Ricardo Arguello would find an equalizer in the 119th minute, sending the game to a shootout.

Of note, three of the six goals were scored within a minute of the end of a period (45’, 105’+1, 119’), creating plenty of drama.

Graphic: Frank Lanham

The PKs were not without some drama. NLS’s first attempt from Don Tchilao, was drilled solidly into the foot of the post and away.

NLS’s fourth kicker, Marco Perez, had his shot blocked, but not saved, and the ball’s spin caused it to cross the line for their second goal. Had Gerardo Aguilar saved it, that would have been the end of the shootout as Azteca were up 3-1 at that point.

Instead, Azteca’s fourth shooter, Luis Reyes, appeared to slip as he set his plant foot and shot the ball well over the crossbar, allowing NLS their fifth attempt. The final round of kicks were both converted, Azteca’s by their talisman, Jovany Herrera.

With the result, Azteca has now qualified for the tournament proper for the fifth time in their history.

Penalty Kick Shootout Summary

NLS    Don Tchilao – MISSED
AZT    Jose Bencomo – GOAL
NLS    Ricardo Oliveria – GOAL
AZT    Cesar Meza – GOAL
NLS    David Koko – SAVED
AZT    Luis Mendoza – GOAL
NLS    Marco Perez – GOAL
AZT    Luis Reyes – MISSED
NLS    Robert Baca – GOAL
AZT    Jovany Herrera – GOAL 

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Harpos FC back in USOC after handing rival Azteca FC rare loss

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Harpos FC celebrate after a 2-0 win over Azteca FC as they qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier
Harpos FC celebrate after a 2-0 win over Azteca FC as they qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier

Harpos FC exorcized its U.S. Open Cup qualifying demons Sunday, topping bitter league rivals Azteca FC 2-0 at Broomfield Commons. 

Halftime substitutes Jack O’Brian and Adam Mickleson scored to put Harpos back into its fourth tournament proper after a four-year hiatus. Harpos last qualified for the 2020 tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The win was Harpos’ first over Azteca in Open Cup qualifying in its fifth attempt with all four previous meetings decided by a single goal. Azteca, who has qualified for the Open Cup four times, entered Sunday’s match 18-0-0 against teams from Colorado in Open Cup qualifying. 

Harpos started the Colorado Clássico on the front foot, when Baptiste Debuire took advantage of some indecisive passing from Azteca defenders in the opening minutes of the match, winning a 50-50 ball 20 yards from goal. Debuire was unable to capitalize on the gift, putting the ball just over the crossbar.

Azteca began to wrestle back control of the match around the quarter-hour mark, calming the frantic pace of the match that favored Harpos by taking control of the midfield. Breaden Jenkins had Azteca’s first and best opportunity of the half in the 16th minute, smashing a 30-yard shot into the upper corner after Harpos failed to fully clear one of Azteca’s three first half corners. With a good line of sight on the shot, Harpos goalkeeper Joel Chavez managed to get across his goal and spectacularly plucked the ball from the top corner to keep the score level. 

The remainder of the half turned into trench warfare, with neither team able to mount a sustained attack for the remainder of the half as tempers and the referee began to be tested between the two overly-familiar sides. With play at a stalemate, both sides tinkered tactically during the interval, which included the introduction of  O’Brian and Mickleson for Harpos. 

“We went into the half knowing we needed some more pace out wide. Adam Mickleson gave us that pace and coverage in the back where we were exposed in the first half,” said Harpos managing director, Johnny Freeston. 

Mickleson made his presence felt immediately in the second stanza, Harpos’ first attack of the second half came through Mickleson down the right flank. After turning the corner past a chasing defender, Mickleson drove a low cross to the top of the goal box, finding the streaking O’Brian unmarked eight yards from goal. O’Brian, a recent addition to the Harpos squad, tucked the ball back inside the far post to put Harpos up 1-0. 

After nearly half-an-hour of bogged play as Harpos kept numbers behind the ball to fend off the waves of Azteca players coming forward, the speedy Mickleson doubled Harpos’ lead in the 76th minute off a Maradona-esque run through the stabbing Azteca defense that started on his own side of half. After outpacing one defender on the right flank and beating another defender in the penalty area before turning towards goal. Mickleson went around one final defender before going in on Azteca goalkeeper Gerardo Aguilar. An off-balance Mickelson awkwardly wrong-footed Aguilar, who helped Mickleson’s shot over the line to make it 2-0 Harpos. 

“I got the ball around midfield and looked up and saw I had some space. I beat a couple guys and knew I had the pace to get around the last defender and go in on goal,” Mickleson said. “I got a little lucky putting it off the ‘keeper’s foot but I’ll take it.” 

With the win, Harpos returns to the tournament proper for a fourth time, equaling Azteca’s Open Cup appearances. Meanwhile, Azteca’s 13-game unbeaten streak in the competition was snapped, along with its 12-game road winning streak

“This win gets us back where we want to be,” Freeston said. “We’ve completely rebuilt the team since 2020. We have the talent, and everyone has bought in to what we are doing. We know what it takes to make a run in the Open Cup. We’ve done it before. I think with this team we can do it again.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Colorado Rapids 2 cruise past Azteca FC in Centennial State battle

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Players from Azteca FC and Colorado Rapids 2 pose for a combined team photo ahead of their First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Bart Young | @btyphoto
Players from Azteca FC and Colorado Rapids 2 pose for a combined team photo ahead of their First Round match in the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Bart Young | @btyphoto

It was all business for the Colorado Rapids 2 in Thursday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup First Round match against local amateur side, Azteca FC. The Rapids 2 waltzed to a 3-0 win at Dicks Sporting Goods Park in front of 1,042 fans.

Rapids 2 center backs Joshua Belluz, scoring in his professional debut, and Daniel Garcia tallied almost identical set-piece goals to put the home side up by two going into halftime. Alec Díaz capped off the scoring with a simple tap-in with less than a quarter of an hour to play.

“One of our big targets for us tonight was about performance. Performance and progressing,” said Rapids 2 head coach, Eric Bushey. “We’re not where we were. We’re not where we want to be at this early stage in the season. We’re still becoming a team. Tonight was a nice step in the right direction.”

Rapids 2 fielded a mixture of returning players from last year’s MLS NEXT Pro regular season champions and newly-acquired first team players Sebastian Anderson, Wayne Frederick and Kimani Stewart-Baynes, along with homegrown goalkeeper, Adam Beaudry. Beaudry recoded three saves to earn the clean sheet. 

After a friendly first ten minutes, Anderson drifted from his spot on the right side to the middle of the park, beating several flailing Azteca defenders off the dribble, finding Díaz at the top of the penalty area. Díaz resulting shot was deflected for corner kick. Anderson’s driven pinpoint corner found an unmarked Belluz at the far post for his first professional goal.

“It was exactly how we drew it up,” Belluz said. “I knew going in if I got to my spot on time something good was happen.”

Azteca’s first opportunity of the game came in the 38th minute following prolonged possession in the Rapids’ defensive third. Aztecs captain, Oscar Montoya found himself with a little space, but scuffed his shot high and wide.

With moments left in the first half Anderson served up another superb corner, finding Garcia this time at the far post.

Sebi’s putting the ball on the platter, first and foremost, Bushey said. “The big men are getting in the box doing what they’re supposed to do. If you get service with attitude, with a bit of technique you got a good recipe.”

Rapids 2 made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute when Frederick cut through the Aztec defense, driving the ball across the six-yard box for an easy tap-in for Díaz.

The win puts the Rapids 2 through to the Second Round.

The fact that his side is representing the Rapids organization in the Open Cup is not lost on Bushey.

“On a local level, for our group and our players, I think it’s an awesome opportunity,” he said. “When it first came out that MLS wasn’t going to be in the Open Cup, I was disappointed by that. The best in our country should be represented. So, okay, there’s a hybrid component now. The event is worthy of the best soccer our country has to offer. But I’m excited for our program and to represent the club. In this event only, we are the Rapids, and it is something we take very seriously.”

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Early goals lead Azteca FC to road win at UDA Soccer

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Photo: Azteca FC

FULL GAME VIDEO (YouTube)

The Colorado-based Azteca FC traveled more than 600 miles south to Las Cruces, New Mexico and returned home happy after a 2-1 road win at UDA Soccer. It was the final round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. With the win, Azteca FC qualifies for the US Open Cup for the second year in a row, and the fourth time in their last six attempts.

The “Win & You’re In” match was a battle between two teams trying to return to the tournament for the second year in a row.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 8th minute through some work down the right wing. The ball was played to Anthony Miranda who delivered a cross into the heart of the penalty area. The ball found its way to Jovany Herrera who volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

A minute later, they would strike again on a play that would once again be produced from the right wing. This time it was Herrera who played provider. Herrera looked like he was going to drive another ball into the box, but instead he played a ball to the near side of the box into the path of Miranda. He dribbled in and fired a shot into the upper corner from close range. Azteca would take that 2-0 lead into the halftime break.

“ very important,” said Azteca FC owner Andy De La Rosa. “It’s always good to play with a lead. helped us manage the game a lot better.”

Azteca would hold a clean sheet throughout the second half, but in stoppage time, when UDA would break up the shutout. Yahir Piña would pounce on a rebound off a free kick to give the home team hope in the final minutes, but it would prove to be too little, too late.

It was a good defensive performance,” said De La Rosa. “We were set on defending the lead, even though we knew it was going to hurt us offensively.”

Saturday’s game marked the sixth straight “Win & You’re In” match in Azteca’s six Open Division Local qualifying entries. They did not enter in 2016 and 2019, but the remaining years, they have reached the final round every year, and qualified three times. All three of those matches were against Colorado Premier League rival Harpos FC, the team they beat in Round 2 this year. For De La Rosa, the tournament is a major priority and the big key to his team’s success is …

“Recruiting, recruiting and recruiting,” said De La Rosa, who currently has his team in second place in the Colorado Premier League at 5-0-3. “Our team is very young but all our players are very talented. It’s something we’re really proud of, the fact that we’ve never lost an Open Cup qualifying match to a Colorado Team.”

2023 US Open Cup Qualifying: UDA Soccer first local college affiliate to qualify after wild shootout

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UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier
UDA Soccer celebrates after defeating Azteca FC 4-1 (after a 4-4 draw) in a PK shootout to qualify for the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Andrew Mosier

UDA Soccer came out on top of an epic battle of wills, toppling US Open Cup mainstays Azteca FC 4-1 from the penalty mark after trading walloping blows in a 4-4 slugfest.

Keane Garcia pulled UDA level at four in the 113th minute from inside the six-yard box sending the game to kicks from the mark. But the hero of the match was 19-year-old UDA goalkeeper, Mario Castillo, who saved the first (twice) and third of Azteca’s spot kicks to put UDA Soccer through to the tournament proper in its first qualifying attempt.

“I am so proud of the guys for battling through all the adversity they faced today, between the travel and the cold and the altitude and then going down a man, they did not give up, they kept coming back, they kept fighting,” said UDA head coach Blake Ordell. “Then for Mario to make the saves he did in the shootout, it was incredible.”

With the win, UDA Socccer makes some modern US Open Cup history. UDA is a soccer academy at New Mexico State University that allows players to receive year-round training while enrolled at New Mexico State. They become the first Open Division Local team affiliated with a college or university to qualify for the Open Cup in the Modern Era (1995-present). Brigham Young University (BYU) qualified three times as a member of the Premier Development League (now USL League Two) in 2006, 2007 and 2015. Despite past attempts by teams from the University of Florida, Oklahoma University, Louisiana Lafayette, and this year with the University of Southern California (USC), no college-affiliated team has qualified through Open Division Local qualifying. 

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Despite the unfavorable conditions for the Las Cruces, New Mexico-based UPSL side, and the host’s Open Cup pedigree, having qualified for the tournament proper in 2017, 2018, and 2022, UDA Soccer came out on the front foot, forcing Azteca goalkeeper Gerardo Agular to save brilliantly to his right just four minutes into the match.

Ten minutes later UDA landed the first punch of the day when Jose Luis Puente Rivas spun his defender and played the ball across the top of the six-yard box finding Alan Mose Gudino for an easy tap-in past a helpless Agular.

The lead didn’t last long. Azteca pulled level in the 20th minute when Oscar Montoya tapped Jovany Herrera’s driven cross from just outside the six-yard box.

Azteca took the lead in the 36th minute when Herrera ran onto a ball in the penalty area played by Freddy Fregozo, slotting home his fifth 2023 Open Cup qualifying goal.

UDA clawed back to level just before the halftime whistle when Daniel Ruiz Galan got on the end of a Lucas Burch cross ten yards from the goal as the three minutes of added time expired.

Azteca took the lead in the 63rd minute off a Samual Hallam spot kick after UDA’s Mattias Cavallo was whistled for a tackle at the edge of the penalty area. Hallam calmly slotted the ball to his right past Castillo.

The penalty call, heavily protested by the UDA bench, led to the dismissal of an assistant coach, followed twenty minutes later by the dismissal of captain Eric Gomez-Silva, who was shown his second yellow card of the match, forcing UDA to play a man down for the remainder.

UDA fought back six minutes after going down a man, drawing level at three in the 82nd minute when Alfredo Villescas got on the end of Gudina’s corner, outjumping his marker to put the ball past a stranded Gerardo sending the game to extra time.

Azteca took the lead again in the 107th minute off a spectacular volley from Anthony Miranda after UDA failed to properly clear a corner kick. Azteca recycled the set piece out to Saul Garcia on the left flank whose weighted cross fell into Miranda’s stride.

“We put another forward up top after their fourth goal,” Ordell said. “All we could do was get as many people forward and hope for something.”

That something came when Azteca failed to clear the ball from inside the six-yard box. Garcia slammed the ball home to send the game to kicks.

“Oh man, I just couldn’t believe it when I saw the ball pop out there like that,” Garcia said. “I just hit it as hard as I could. I didn’t want anything to stop it.”

UDA’s Garcia made his attempt. Then Castillo saved Herrera’s attempt to the left, but it was ruled he had left his line early. He then saved Herrera’s second attempt, this time to his right. UDA’s Blake Bastian made his attempt to the right, followed by Azteca’s Miranda. 

UDA’s Villescas then made his attempt to the left, followed by Azteca’s Hallam, who had scored from the penalty spot earlier in the match. This time Castillo was up to the task against Hallam, going correctly to his right, leaving it up to Gudina, who calmly put the ball down the middle of the goal to put UDA through to the tournament proper.

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: Tulsa Athletic blanks Azteca FC to earn first USOC win

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Tulsa Athletic vs Azteca FC 2022 US Open Cup
Tulsa Athletic celebrates Joe Garcia’s penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute against Azteca FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Lori Scholl

The contest between Tulsa Athletic and Azteca FC was a battle of teams without a US Open Cup victory. Ninety minutes later, Tulsa would be the team to change that stat with a 3-0 win in the First Round.

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The game started fast with Tulsa on the front foot. Azteca, however, were equal to every attack and had a few good opportunities themselves.

Tulsa jumped out to the lead in the 25th minute when Matthew Rodgers found a wide open Aaron Ugbah on the oppos

ite side of goal who coolly slotted the ball home to make it 1-0. Azteca’s Marlon Borja needed to be carried off after a crunching tackle, as Tulsa’s Vinicius de Oliveira went through his ankle.

The rest of the first half remained evenly matched, but still the attacking edge stayed with Tulsa into the second half where Tulsa found another gear while Azteca could only thwart the attacks against them.

In the 71st minute, David Paniaqua was adjudged to have brought down Jordan Watson for a penalty, which was perhaps dubious. Regardless, Joseph Garcia stepped to the ball and found his left-hand post. Marcos Madera did get his right hand to it, but the kick could not be stopped, for a 2-0 lead. The wheels seemed to start to come off for Azteca.

Just three minutes later, Joseph Ruiz sent a cross across the face of goal and found Ruben Torres who tapped in to give the home side an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Four minutes after that, Cesar Meza was sent off for a two-handed jersey pull against a Tulsa player. The disadvantage in manpower would make it a mountain too big to climb for the visitors.

In the 87th minute, a contentious PK non-call against Tulsa took the wind out of Azteca’s sails. Til Zinnhardt clattered into Azteca’s Freddy Fragozo in the penalty area without a touch on the ball, and both players tumbled and stayed down briefly. Azteca could not mount a meaningful attack after that, as the end was moments away.

The win gives Tulsa Athletic a Tulsa derby date with FC Tulsa of the USL Championship on April 5 in the Second Round.

 

2022 Meet the Underdogs: Azteca FC faces longest road trip in US Open Cup return

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Denver-based Azteca FC practice Meet the Underdogs 2022 US Open Cup
Denver-based Azteca FC practices with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. Photo: Azteca FC

Denver-based Azteca FC are set to make their third Lamar Hunt US Open Cup appearance in a Wednesday evening visit to Tulsa, Oklahoma to face the NPSL’s Tulsa Athletic. This is the club’s first appearance since 2018.

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Azteca FC are owned and managed by Andy de la Rosa, who also owns a local construction company. In recent years, the team has become one of the annual contenders in the Colorado Adult soccer scene. Andy attributes this to three things: the ability to recruit top players from the Denver area, the commitment of his players to succeed, and participating in the toughest leagues and tournaments available in Colorado.

Andy also adds, “A combination of coaching, planning and managing the team to put it in the best position to win and that doesn’t mean entering the weakest leagues in Colorado.”

Last fall’s Colorado Super League season saw Azteca finish third, eliminating Gam United 5-2 in the semifinal before falling in the final 5-3 to FC Denver, after extra time. Shortly after that, Azteca qualified for the US Open Cup with a dramatic Denver Superclasico win against league rival Harpos FC, winning 4-3 after extra time. Prior to that “Win & You’re In” match, they beat fellow Colorado Super League side Colorado Rush, 4-1, followed by a 5-2 home win over the Colorado Rovers (Colorado Premier League).

While Azteca currently has no former MLS or Liga MX players, they do have ex-pros from division two and three leagues in Mexico, Honduras and Chile, as well as former Division 1 and Division 2 college players and a roster of top-notch amateurs. Andy says none of the ex-pros are likely known outside of the local scene, but all the players are crucial to the team’s success. Specifically, Azteca’s three co-captains, Marcos Madera, Eduardo Reza and Jovany Herrera.

First choice goalkeeper Marcos Madera is the team’s most veteran player, bringing years of skill and experience to anchor the defense. Eduardo Reza is a leader in the midfield bringing his excellent technical skills to help build and drive the attack. Finally, forward Jovany Herrera, whose play makes him the attacking leader of the team.

“I’m not sure why,” said De La Rosa, “but for one reason or another he never made it pro but should have.”

The winner of Wednesday’s game against Tulsa Athletic will play on the road against FC Tulsa of the USL Championship in the Second Round on April 5.

The trip to Tulsa is about a 9.5 hour drive, the longest road trip of any First Round game.

Andy says his team is ready for the challenge against a tough Tulsa Athletic side and are focused on the task at hand.

“We would have preferred to draw Hailstorm or Switchbacks in the Second Round to avoid travelling, but it is what it is.” said De La Rosa. “We’ll worry about the next match after we win our first.”

In Azteca’s first two trips to the Open Cup, they played road games against amateur teams. In 2017, they lost a narrow 1-0 extra time game to FC Wichita (NPSL), and in 2018, they lost to rival FC Denver, 4-2.

Tulsa Athletic hosts Azteca FC on Wednesday, March 23 at 8 p.m. (ET) at Oral Roberts University’s Case Soccer Complex in Tulsa.

MORE: Azteca FC’s Meet the Underdogs stories from 2017

2022 US Open Cup Qualifying: Azteca FC qualifies with back-and-forth OT win vs. Harpos FC

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Azteca FC logoAzteca FC hosted Harpos FC at Victoria Sports Park in their third all-time meeting in a “Win & You’re In” US Open Cup qualifying match. In the previous two meetings, Azteca came away winners by a single goal (2-1 in 2017, 4-3 in 2018).

Sunday would be no exception as Azteca came back to beat fellow Colorado Super League side Harpos FC, 4-3, though an extra 30 minutes were required to settle it. The crowd of about 120 were thoroughly entertained in Golden, Colo.

Folks had barely turned their attention to the game, when Max Steinmetz had the ball land at his feet. He streaked in at goal and slotted home to his left to put Harpos in front after just four minutes.

After this point, the game was played in Harpos’ half for nearly the remainder of the first half. Azteca turned up the heat. Jovany Herrera and Freddy Fragozo combined all over the field in an attempt to level the score with Fragozo putting a shot off the post in the 14th minute.

Harpos would create some breathing room in the 20th minute when Austin Bell grabbed a deflection off an Azteca defender and made it a 2-0 game. Two goals in as many entries into the Azteca penalty area – it seemed like a rout was developing.

Azteca’s Rosendo Castro would see yellow in the 24th minute as he brought down Harpos’ Sean Baumann at midfield. Shortly after that, the momentum would shift again. Azteca’s defense stepped up and began building from the back. Goalscorer Bell would be booked in the 33rd minute after bringing down Fragozo. The resulting free kick would be bobbled by Harpos’ goalkeeper Hayden Rus, but the second ball was sent wide.

After a few minutes of chippy play, and a foul against Jovany Herrera, led to an Azteca free kick at the top of the penalty area. Cesar Echegaray buried the 20-yard free kick to cut the deficit in half in the 37th minute.

Five minutes later, the ball took an awkward bounce into the hand of Harpos’ defender Patrick Slogic in the area, and a penalty kick was awarded. Eduardo Reza sent the spot kick straight up the middle and it was saved by Rus, keeping Harpos in front going into the halftime break. Azteca would have one of many corners on the day in the second minute of first half stoppage time after Herrera was fouled again. Cesar Echegaray attempted to get his second of the contest, but the kick deflected off the wall and wide of goal to end the first half.

The second half started as fast as the first, this time with Azteca at the wheel. Still in the 46th minute, Eduardo Reza would be the player streaking right at goal and bury the shot to level the score.

Azteca had a relentless attack for the next 15 minutes, registering three shots in the process. Harpos’ first break from the onslaught was Caleb Cole unable to convert a free kick at the top of the penalty area. Harpos would register a pair of shots, both saved, over the next six minutes.

Then it was back to the other end. Jovany Herrera was fouled again, Harpos’ Jake Taylor was booked, and Azteca’s Armando Gonzalez would sink another 20-yard free kick to put Azteca in the lead, 3-2 in the 68th minute. Azteca’s Herrera and Eric Hernandez would take turns shooting for the next 10 minutes, missing just wide of goal each time.

At about the 80-minute mark, Harpos found a fresh wind in their sails and began a constant attack to end the second half. The highlight of this was a long Caleb Cole cross finding the head of Austin Bell, for his second goal, about eight yards out to level the score at 3-3.

Harpos nearly stole a late winner in second minute of stoppage time after a shot by Juan Pablo Caffa was deflected off an Azteca wall, toward the far post. Regulation would end with the score tied.

Extra time began with both teams pushing hard for the victory. Both sides had traded shots after just three minutes. Azteca would retake the lead in the 100th minute when Cesar Meza received a long diagonal cross after a long run, chipping the ball around the Harpos’ keeper and it ended up just inside the back post.

Azteca would get the scare of the game in the 104th minute when a Juan Pablo Caffa pass led to a Caleb Cole shot that was nearly turned into their own goal. Only a quick reflex save by Marcos Madera kept the score 4-3.

The second period of extra time started with a Harpos shot after about 15 seconds, and they would boss the game comprehensively in these 15 minutes. Caffa, Cole and Slogic all had shots in the final few minutes; Slogic nearly beating Madera at the post with a headed effort in the 112th minute. The final big chance for Harpos was in the 116th minute as Cole sent a long diagonal ball between the goal and an on-running Juan Pablo Caffa. Azteca looked for an insurance goal in the final minute, Oscar Montoya hitting the outside of the post and Herrera making a goal line run, but Rus saved his shot. Moments later, the final whistle sounded. Azteca keep a perfect record against Harpos in Open Cup qualifying with the 4-3 win.

“These are always good games, have a great team,” said Azteca head coach Andy De La Rosa. “Good thing our guys stepped up, we did what we had to do.”

“We knew it would be a battle, it always is,” said Harpos FC coach Johnny Freeston, who led his team to US Open Cup berths in 2015 and 2016. “We did what we needed to in the first half. Felt good about that, and then we got tired. We made mistakes and we got punished for our mistakes.”

2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In: Former pros lead historic Olympic Club to first USOC berth

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Graphic by Harrison Huntley | @hhuntley17

In a game between two clubs without a loss in the qualifying stages, something had to give. On a damp and chilly night, at the second venue of the evening, the hosts Azteca FC could not ride their seven-game undefeated run any further as they were defeated by Northern California’s Olympic Club, 3-1.

Goals from a trio of former pros helped the Olympic Club, a social club in the Bay Area that dates back more than a century, secure a win to qualify for the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

This contest, originally scheduled for the Aurora Public Schools Stadium in Aurora, Colo., would have a venue change less than an hour before kickoff due to non-functioning lights at the original stadium. The game was moved to nearby Ridgeview High School and remarkably, kickoff was only delayed by about 20 minutes.

The first half was mostly one-way traffic for the visiting Olympic Club. Former MLS and USL player Matt Fondy opened the Olympic account in the 5th minute, outpacing his defender on a ball over the top, and slotting it past Azteca goalkeeper Austin Harms. Matt would have several more good chances in the first half. The play would continue be physical the rest of the half. None more so than between Azteca’s Daniel Jimenez-Anaya and Olympic’s Austin Toth. After several sliding challenges by both players, the referee had finally seen enough, and booked the Azteca player in the 43rd minute. The Olympic Club would go into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead.

Matt Fondy of Olympic Club steps up to take a penalty kick against JASA RWC in the 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying. Photo: 3pointsport (IG)
Matt Fondy of Olympic Club steps up to take a penalty kick against JASA RWC in the Second Round of the 2020 US Open Cup Qualifying tournament. Photo: 3pointsport (IG)

The second half saw the home side start on the front foot, winning a penalty in the 48th minute, when an Azteca player was clipped and brought down from behind. Erik Chavez-Richart would go to his left to convert it. moments later.

With the scores now level, the game would find another gear. Both sides had ample chances up to the hour mark. A scramble in front of goal in the 63rd minute saw Fondy with another attempt at goal, gather his own rebound and slide it across to Bryan Burke who laced it into the net to return the lead back to the visitors.

Both sides would continue to trade chances until the 86th minute. Fondy, with another shot on frame, would see it deflected and fall to Javier Amaya-Hil for the third and final goal.

In an anti-climax to what was an otherwise tight game, a fracas began at the final whistle resulted in two red cards and two yellow cards. One of the red cards was shown to Azteca’s Daniel Jimenez-Amaya for abusive language. As that sending off was happening, the remainder of the players on the field came together in the goal mouth. From there, Erick Chavez-Richart was shown red for violent conduct;  Azteca’s Jesus Munoz-Barraza and Olympic Club’s Austin Toth were both shown yellows for unsporting behavior.

With the victory, The Olympic Club advance to the US Open Cup in their first attempt, hoping to add some success in the men’s US Open Cup to go along with their two USASA Women’s Open Cup titles from 2015 and 2016.

#USOC2020 ESSENTIALS

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2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 1 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Round 2 Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Win & You’re In Weekend Game-By-Game Review
2020 US Open Cup Qualifying Goalscoring Leaders

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