Azteca FC

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Cesar Castillo’s hat trick helps FC Denver beat Azteca FC in all-Colorado Premier League battle

May 16, 2018 by Robert Wilson

FC Denver outscored Colorado Premier League rivals Azteca FC, 4-2 in their first ever appearance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

FC Denver jumped out to a big lead after the first half. FCD’s number ten Cesar Castillo scored the first of his three goals in the 28th, Alex Berhardt headed in the second goal in the 37th off a long free kick, and Castillo made it 3-0 in the 55th minute.

Just when it looked like it might be a blowout, Azteca knocked in a goal of their own from Jesus Munoz in the 57th minute.

The match was marred by Azteca midfielder Adrian Gutierrez’s reckless open field hit on FC Denver center back Kyle Heppenstall who left the field in an ambulance with a severe concussion in the 75th minute. According to FC Denver’s social media, Happenstall was released from the hospital later that night and is recovering.

In the 74 minutes preceding the reckless play that led to the serious injury, the game was riddled with foul after foul. A total of 22 fouls were called, many, more were not called.

After the ambulance left the field a total of 16 minutes was added to the match. During this time Azteca FC had a brief moment of resurgence when Roberto Aguilera pounced on a temporarily saved free kick, bringing the match to within a goal, 3-2.

Despite Azteca’s physical tactics, man of the match Cesar Castillo had no problem weaving around and creating space in the Azteca defense. Castillo scored his third goal in what would be the last kick of the match in the 96th minute.

This victory was the first ever US Open Cup match for FC Denver. For Azteca FC, this was the club’s second appearance in the Open Cup including last year’s first round loss at FC Wichita. Up next for the victors, an away trip to Weidner Field to play second division professional side Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

2018 US Open Cup qualifying: Azteca FC eliminates Harpo’s FC again to reach second straight USOC

November 20, 2017 by Jim Hart

It was a balmy 48 agrees Fahrenheit in Broomfield Colorado, a high-tech community just outside the Denver skyline where CenturyLink and its 55 story building dominates the skyline. A 3 pm kickoff almost certainly guaranteed a frigid ending to this exciting tie that will go down as a classic Colorado US Open Cup match.

Colorado is proving to be fertile ground for amateur clubs attempting to qualify for the US Open Cup, and today’s match was no exception, as this tie was filled with passion and more than a little physicality. This was a rematch of an exciting 2-1 match from a year ago that saw Azteca FC earn a first-ever trip to the US Open Cup and denied Harpo’s FC of Boulder, Colo. a third straight trip to the tournament. This year’s rematch went the same way with Azteca winning 4-3

As the match opened, it was clear that this big pitch was going to make for wide open play. Both sides used the flanks to enhance their attacks, with Azteca making especially good use of the right flank throughout the match. This would prove an issue for Harpo’s in the second half that could not be resolved.

Most of the first half was played with nervous tension filling the spaces. Neither side was able to set a marker in the ground until Harpo’s long time number 10, Kyle Luetkehans put one past the keeper to give Harpo’s the early lead in the 13th minute.

Things began to heat up at that point. Azteca were pressing their case on the attack and getting closer to a goal of their own when Harpo’s goalkeeper Zac Gibbens came out of his box and clipped Naoyas Aizawa of Azteca. This resulted in the awarding of a penalty kick to Azteca, which Erik Chavez put in the back of the net. This brought the score to 1-1

As the half was coming to a close there was a skirmish in front of the Harpo’s net. Azteca players had converged around the ball where Gibbens had just made a close save inside the six yard box. After the whistle blew Gibbens popped up off the deck with a lot of emotion. Several minutes of pushing and moving ensued, with the final result being red cards for both sides, unfortunately for Harpo’s one of those red cards went to Gibbens, leaving Harpo’s with the unenviable task of having to replace their starting goalkeeper.

The second half opened with each team down a man after the dual red cards. Harpo’s seemed to have left their game in the locker room, while Azteca came out ready to take the match by the scruff of the neck. Nine minutes into the second half Eric Hernandez fed Dehrian Ramirez for a goal that gave Azteca a 2-1 lead.

In what appeared to be Deja Vu all over again, Dehrian Ramirez recorded his brace in the 62nd minute on a play that looked eerily similar to the goal that was scored just minutes before. Azteca was rolling, Harpo’s looked like they had no answers at this point, In order to try to get some offense into the side, Harpo’s, team owner Johnny Freeston, who was sitting in for suspended coach Steve Lepper of Harpo’s, went to the bench to. swap out the center forwards, Stibe came on for Whittle in the 67th minute.

This strategy seemed to work as just three minutes later Dan Campbell pulled one back for Harpo’s, the scoreline now stood at 3-2, with Azteca hanging on to a one-goal advantage.

As the temperature dipped into the 30s and the light began to fade it seemed to give Azteca new life. They clung to their lead and kept the pressure on, looking for more goals. Suddenly in the 75th minute, Erik Chavez completed his brace and Dehrian Ramirez completed his hat-trick of assists on the day.

Azteca had an opportunity to park the bus, however, that is not their DNA. The primarily Mexican-American side is aggressive and loves to attack with the ball. They continued to keep the heat on and attempted to grab another goal.

Two minutes into extra time Harpo’s Leutkhens pulls one back for Harpo’s to make the match 4-3. Kyle has been a stalwart for the Boulder side for four seasons, and he was clearly the man of the match for Harpo’s on the day.

There were several candidates for man of the match from Azteca, but Dehrian Ramirez’s playmaking and his ability to be in the right place at the right time set him apart with three assists.

The qualifying tournament is over for the fall, as Azteca FC advances to the tournament proper for the second year in a row. They will look to improve on their one-and-done appearance in the 2017 competition. In their Open Cup debut, they lost a narrow 1-0 extra time decision, on the road, to the National Premier Soccer League’s FC Wichita.

2017 US Open Cup Round 1: FC Wichita holds off shorthanded Azteca FC in the rain

May 14, 2017 by Robert Wilson

FC Wichita defeated Azteca FC 1-0 in extra time of a long, rainy first round US Open Cup match in central Kansas. The lone goal came in the 104th minute when Travis Pittman redirected Deri Corfe’s deflected shot into the visitor’s net.

Azteca FC’s first venture into the US Open Cup could not have been more trying. The night before the game Azteca’s already lengthy seven-hour trek from Denver to Wichita was derailed when their bus broke down in western Kansas and the game itself will be remembered for the lengthy rain delay, two red card ejections and the endless effort the Colorado team put in without getting the result.

12 minutes in to the first half Azteca FC defender Christian Moran was given a red card ejection for a studs-up tackle on Wichita’s Deri Corfe. Despite going down to 10 men, Azteca maintained their organization and occasionally tested Wichita goalkeeper Mark Weir.

Throughout the second half the home team dominated position but both teams had equal amounts of shots on net, including the 75th minute shot by Azteca FC that rang off the cross bar. Just as the game was heating up heavy rain and lightning took over forcing the game to be paused at the 81st minute.

After a 45-minute delay, the game resumed and the final nine minutes were goalless ending the 90 minutes at 0-0.

The visitors tested Weir on multiple occasions in the first extra time period and looked like they may have what it would take to pull off the against-all-odds victory. But it was the hosts that claimed the go-head goal in the dying second of the first extra time period. Forward Travis Pittman pounced on Deri Corfe’s deflected shot and tucked his shot under the Azteca goalkeeper.

In second period of extra time Wichita looked like they were about to double their lead as Wichita attacker Matt Clare opened up the defense again. Azteca FC midfielder Jorge Velasquez flew in with a crunching tackle resulting in his second yellow card leaving the visitors short two players.

Once again the understaffed Azteca FC dug deep to find a boost of energy after the second ejection. Azteca FC tired and depilated tested Wichita up until the very end of the match however it was the home team that came out the victor.

The victory was FC Wichita’s first-ever Open Cup victory, after falling to the Des Moines Menace in their tournament debut last year. On Wednesday, May 17, they will take on their first professional opponent as they will hit the road to take on Saint Louis FC of the USL.

2017 Meet the Underdogs: Azteca FC, the latest amateur power from Colorado ready to represent in US Open Cup

May 10, 2017 by Robert Wilson

Denver, Colorado-based Azteca FC will make their US Open Cup debut in 2017 with a midweek road trip to Wichita, Kansas.

Azteca FC is owned and managed by Andy De La Rosa who also runs a successful construction company which sponsors the team. Over the years, the club has been a regular fixture of the Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL), which was recently re-branded as the Colorado Premier League (CPL). However, it was not until watching local rivals Harpo’s FC embark on back-to-back US Open Cup upset runs that the local competition heated up.

Back-to-back upsets over defending title holders FC Denver and league champions Harpo’s earned Azteca FC the 2016 Colorado State Cup and opened the door to qualify for the 2017 Open Cup. The Cup final was a scrappy battle with multiple ejections on both sides resulting in Azteca’s first ever State Cup trophy as well as fueling a burgeoning rivalry. Two months later US Soccer paired the two clubs together once again in a single game qualifier for a spot in the Open Cup and once again Azteca came from behind to upset Harpo’s 2-1 qualifying Azteca FC for the 2017 US Open Cup.

Since dethroning Colorado’s most notable U.S. Open Cup participant in years past; Azteca FC has changed their look and increased their status in the local soccer scene. Over the winter the club was a key organizer of the newly formed UPSL Colorado Division however opted to remain with the rebranded Colorado Premier League. Azteca FC also rebranded themselves with a new team badge that combines their Mexican-American pride with the Colorado flag.

Through all the changes the core of Azteca FC remains the same. Head coach and owner Andy De La Rosa’s team has always built his teams picking the top players from the Denver area Hispanic, mostly Mexican-American, Sunday leagues. As De La Rosa’s business and team grows he has expanded his recruiting efforts both in the Denver area and on both sides of the Mexican-American border across the southwest. Looking across the roster a healthy mix of youth and veteran players will be looking to this Open Cup opportunity as their shot to play at their highest level while a few key players, including ex-Chivas Guadalajara winger Omar Ledesma and ex-Club America center back Alfredo Duran, will be using this opportunity to recapture the spotlight and possibly make a move back into professional soccer.

This year is no different for the Azteca player pool. Over the offseason most of their players stayed with the team in their indoor sessions while others traveled back to Mexico and Texas to visit their families or play in other leagues. As the spring CPL season progresses their team is re-unifying just in time for the all important Open Cup match in Kansas.

The most notable return is winger Omar Ledesma who returned from his indoor team in El Paso, Texas in mid April. Ledesma’s impact on the team is undeniable; in his first game back the ex-Chivas Guadalajara winger electrified the Azteca offense that was previously in the lower half of the league in goals scored to a 5-3 league victory. Playing off center forward Robert Aguilar the Azteca offense can be characterized by their ability to disrupt the rhythm of their opponent’s backline and capitalize on whatever opportunity they produce.

Looking forward to representing the Centennial State and Colorado Premier League along with Rush FC Azteca FC manager Andy de la Rosa and captain Armando Chavira are having no issues fielding their strongest team for the U.S. Open Cup.

”It is hard for a lot of guys to take three days off work and make that seven-hour drive on a Tuesday, practice on Wednesday morning, play Wednesday night and turn around back to Denver the next day,” said Chavira. “But everyone is committed, the whole squad is ready to go … everyone is ready to represent for our state and our league”

Wichita FC hosts Azteca FC Wednesday May 10th 7:00 PM (CT) at the Stryker Soccer Park in Wichita, Kansas.

2017 US Open Cup qualifying: Azteca FC dethrone Harpo’s FC in Colorado clash

October 25, 2016 by Robert Wilson

Field No. 8 at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex was the site for the 2017 US Open Cup qualifier between Azteca FC and Harpo's FC. Photo: Jim Hart — Field No. 8 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park complex was the site for the 2017 US Open Cup qualifier between Azteca FC and Harpo’s FC. Photo: Jim Hart

Omar Ledezma delivered for Azteca FC by drawing the equalizing penalty kick and scoring the winning goal to defeat Harpo’s FC two goals to one. With this victory, Azteca FC will advance to the third round of the 2017 US Open Cup qualifying tournament which will take part next spring (Mar. 11-12, 2017).

Harpo’s FC, who had qualified for the last two US Open Cup tournaments and won two games and also advanced once by penalty kicks. Azteca FC, who won the last Colorado State Cup and recently defeated Harpo’s in league play. Now, Azteca FC will join the Colorado Rush as the only two remaining open division amateur teams from Colorado remaining in the competition.

Harpo’s FC took the initial lead when Chris Salvaggione finished a straightforward shot from the top of the 18 yard box. After taking the lead, owning most of the possession and opportunities on net in the first half, Harpo’s FC were unable to maintain the physical and mental sharpness into the second half.

Starting off the second half Azteca FC manager Andy De La Rosa made his first substitution at striker, bringing in Makyr Opoeza, and told his team to pick up the tempo, play quicker and complete shorter passes. The adjustments payed off immediately. Ex-Chivas Guadalajara winger Omar Ledezma drew a penalty at the top of the box, converted by Opoeza. Later in the second half Azteca midfielder Jesus Jeaus Muños flicked on a corner kick to the far post directly in the path of Ledezma who converted the winning goal.

After routinely getting beaten on set pieces by the much taller and more physical Harpo’s FC the pre-designed corner kick was a brilliant call. After the game De La Rosa took no credit for the goal saying that set pieces have always been the Azteca’s weakness, instead it was Ledezma’s creativity and play calling that won the game.

Looking forward to the Open Cup De La Rosa added that he hoped to be the last amateur team standing next summer and hopes that their recently formed under-23 side will provide the depth needed to compete on multiple fronts.

“The loss was a reality check of the level that is needed to compete at this level,” said Harpo’s manager Johnny Freeston. “Today they won the game no question, and we are even more motivated to return to the Cup next year.”

2017 US Open Cup qualifying: Harpo’s FC, the “bull shit pub team”, faces challenge from newcomers Azteca FC in Colorado clash

October 21, 2016 by Robert Wilson

Harpo's FC celebrates a league game against FC Denver at Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colo. Photo: Harpo's FC — Harpo’s FC celebrates a league game against FC Denver at Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colo. Photo: Harpo’s FC

On Saturday, Oct. 22, outside of Dick’s Sporting Good Park, the top two Colorado amateur teams line up for the right to represent the region in the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Defending their hold on this region’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup spot, in what could be their third consecutive entry into the tournament is the ever-confident Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL) champions Harpo’s FC. Green with envy and ready to throw everything at the incumbent, this year’s final challenger is Colorado State Cup champions Azteca FC.

Both teams are representing the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA). They are two of three remaining USSSA teams in the qualifying tournament (Colorado Rush).

Over the past two years very few amateur teams around the country have enjoyed their time in the US Open Cup as much as Harpo’s FC. Johnny Freeston’s self-proclaimed “bull shit pub team” has used their Open Cup victories, and their narrow defeats at the hands of the professional Colorado Springs Switchbacks (2015, 2016), to grow their player pool and fan support. Over this time, the Boulder-based club has been a dominate force in every competition they have entered – until this year’s Colorado State Cup when they ran into Azteca FC.

Azteca FC has been a Colorado Amateur Soccer League (CASL) regular for years now either under the current name or their previous name Cruz Select. Over the years, Azteca has always been a collection of the top Hispanic players in the area that would compete in CASL, as well as other local Hispanic leagues and occasionally other tournaments across the Southwest with varying success while teams like Harpo’s were running away with the league.

In an interview with TheCup.us, Azteca captain and rightback Armando Chavira admitted “watching Harpo’s get to the level they did the last two seasons motivated us. If they can do it why not us?”

Turning that desire into a reality has been the work of head coach and team sponsor Andy de la Rosa. The owner of a successful stucco and plastering company de la Rosa has been able to acquire the team, formerly known as Cruz Select, and provide the resources needed to commit to tournaments like the Colorado State Cup, Las Vegas Silver Mug and now the US Open Cup. He has also helped grow the club’s growing sense of professionalism to the amateur competitions that they enter, much like ambitious teams like Harpo’s.

“(Harpo’s FC) made us step up,” added Chavira. “We used to go to games and rely on our talent but now we are training harder and more frequent… if it was up to Andy (de la Rosa) we would train every day.”

A lot of the players on Azteca have had experience playing in various professional, semi-pro and amateur teams across Mexico and the southwestern USA, so training four to five times or even seven times a week is something they were excited to return to. Balancing the demands of an aspiring soccer club and their day jobs with de la Rosa’s stucco and plaster business, or in the case of Chivara in an auto body shop, proved to be difficult. Putting in a full shift at work and then going out to the field and training to go up against the best amateur soccer players in the region made for long days, but quickly became the hallmark of the blue-collar team.

Hard work turned into results earlier this year when Azteca FC knocked off Harpo’s FC in the semifinals of the 2016 Colorado State Cup before defeating FC Denver in the final.

More recently, Azteca defeated FC Denver again in the opening round of this year’s US Open Cup qualifying tournament, and then picked up a win over Harpo’s FC later that week in CASL league play. Now this opportunity to play the top local team for the right to continue to the national level would be the perfect cap for a great season.

“For the younger players it’s an opportunity, said Chivara. “A lot of them deserve this chance, but for me personally, I appreciate all the hard work that myself and the older guys put in. All the training, all the paperwork. This could be our last chance and we are going to give it our all.”

Azteca FC head coach De La Rosa has also elevated the club in terms of recruitment. Prior to the State Cup, De La Rosa brought in two former Liga MX pros in ex-Chivas Guadalajara playmaker Omar Ledesma and ex-Club America center back Alfredo Duran to his squad. This move, while completely within the rules of the league, cup and the US Open Cup, has ruffled a few feathers in the local soccer community. The local league is filled with ex-NCAA players, and each team has a former pro or two on their roster. Typically these former pros have had opportunities at the USL level, lower division European clubs and occasionally a season or two in MLS but these signings are truly unprecedented in the local scene and indicative of the crazy competition among the Colorado rivals.

Harpo's FC celebrates their 2015 US Open Cup First Round win over KC Athletics. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler — Harpo’s FC celebrates their 2015 US Open Cup First Round win over KC Athletics. Photo: Richard Laeming Wheeler

Now that the stakes have been raised, Harpo’s FC is anxious to get out on the field and defend their place at the top of the Colorado soccer scene. Club owner John Freeston says their best 18 players are ready to go for Saturday’s game and they have proclaimed that this qualifier is their top priority and would hold as much weight as all of the State Cup, League, everything prior to this game combined.

One of those previous wins came in the opening round of the Open Cup qualifying tournament when Harpo’s FC defeated another in-state rival, the Colorado Rovers, 4-1 after extra time. It was the third year in a row that the Rovers have been eliminated by Harpo’s FC in qualifying.

The most notable change for Harpo’s FC going into this game is that long-time goalkeeper Zac Gibbens has signed with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL.) and midfield stalwart Justin Geibel moved back home to Vermont. Replacing Gibbens in net has been the job of Marc Herzberger who recently returned to Colorado from a stint working and playing abroad in Holland.

The playmaking duties have gone to two of the top local college recruits in the area now graduated and returned home to work in the area; Santiago Velez from Louisville and the University of Milwaukee’s Ross Van Osdol. Alongside established CASL league leaders Shane Wheeler, Dan Whittle, Ben Iames, Chris Salvaggione, Aaron Woodruff, Dan Campbell, Kyle Luetkehans, Edgar Olivas, and Sawyer Frank, Harpo’s are expected to continue their recent Open Cup form. However, with Azteca FC winning recent state cup and league meeting make this game tough to predict.

The game will be played at one of the secondary fields at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Field No. 8) in Commerce City, Colo. The game will kickoff at 5 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. local time.