Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Central Valley Fuego FC

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Dembor Benson’s brace propels El Farolito to historic upset of Central Valley Fuego

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El Farolito pose for a photo prior to their match against Central Valley Fuego in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: El Farolito
El Farolito pose for a photo prior to their match against Central Valley Fuego in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: El Farolito

El Farolito isn’t through with scoring upset victories in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and has obtained yet another historic result on the road, this time in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley.

The National Premier Soccer League side came from behind to knock off USL League One’s Central Valley Fuego FC 2-1 in Merced, CA thanks to two goals from striker Dembor Benson.

El Farolito, an amateur club named after a local Mexican restaurant in San Francisco, became the first NPSL side to upset consecutive professional team opponents in regulation, previously stunning MLS NEXT Pro side Timbers2, 2-1 at Providence Park in Round 1.

Orange County FC was the last amateur side to beat two professional teams in the same tournament, defeating FC Golden State Force (USL-2), 2-0, before advancing against Orange County SC (USL-C), 2-2 (5-3 PK), but their second round match went to penalties.

Lopez called for intensity from his players and went on the offensive from the beginning. Fuego FC had trouble advancing from its own half as El Farolito put high pressure on its back line in an attempt to recover the ball closer to goal.

In the 12th minute the NPSL side almost opened the score early on as Benson connected a header that bounced off the post and ended up in the hands of Fuego FC keeper Andre Zuluaga.

Fuego FC was awarded a penalty just a few minutes later following a slide tackle inside the box, which Jose Carrera-Garcia converted into a goal to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

However, El Farolito kept pressing as Benson found the late first-half equalizer, capitalizing on a rebound from a long ball inside the box, and placed it in the bottom right corner of the net.

Players from El Farolito (left) and Central Valley Fuego battle of the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego
Players from El Farolito (left) and Central Valley Fuego battle of the ball in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Central Valley Fuego

Lopez’s team remained persistent in pushing forward during the second half and came close. Just as they did in Round 1, El Farolito came from behind to win it thanks to a late goal from Benson, who netted the ball in the 88th minute at the far post following a pass from Sebastian Yabur inside the box.

This was Benson’s third goal of the cup and his second match-winner after scoring the decisive goal in the previous round against TImbers2.

Benson celebrated the win with his teammates, all of whom called him over for the team photo in front of the scoreboard as he carried his son in his hands with him.

“To me this is more than just a team, it’s a big family,” Benson said. “I’m so happy and proud to be a part of this. It’s not easy to get on a bus and travel five hours to beat such a tough team. It’s been nothing but joy for me since this team opened its doors to me.”

Regardless of picking up a win over Fuego FC head coach and former USMNT standout Jermaine Jones, El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez expressed how grateful he is to lead his team to victory in the tournament.

“I’m very honored to be a part of the US Open Cup and be involved with this group,” Lopez said. “Jermaine Jones is a great coach. Regardless if it was him or someone else we still have to compete, and I wish him all the luck in the world.” 

It’s the club’s first time in the Third Round in the Modern Era of the US Open Cup.

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Rodrigo Lopez lifts Sacramento Republic over CV Fuego with 90th min. PK

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Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Central Valley Fuego FC came into the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a load of confidence. After taking down El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) in Round 2, Fuego FC battled Sacramento Republic FC in a close match at Heart Health Park. 

For the third time in US Open Cup history, the Indomitable Club was welcoming a Fresno-based professional team to the Golden State’s capitol, curious enough they have all been matchups in the Third Round. In 2014 and 2019, Republic FC came out on top and moved on to the next round. Tonight was no different, with Sacramento coming out with a 2-1 win on the strength of a Rodrigo Lopez penalty kick in the 90th minute.

“When you play cup games, it’s all about winning,” said Mark Briggs, Sacramento Republic FC head coach. “And we’ve won, we’re in the draw tomorrow and that’s all that matters.”

This win did not come easy. 

While Republic dominated in the first half and headed into halftime with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Dan Casey, the second half was a different story. CV Fuego FC came out with a change in attitude and mentality. Martin Vasquez’s side pushed the lines forward and started to attack with a higher frequency. A familiar foe in Villyan Bijev, who spent three seasons in a Sacramento uniform, led the attack for Fuego FC and Republic captain Rodrigo Lopez was aware of that. 

“You saw Villyan Bijev everytime he got the ball in the second half he was a threat,” said Lopez. “We just needed to be a bit more aware, but in the end we did what we had to do and we won, which was the most important thing.” 

The game almost seemed like a chess game between Vasquez and Briggs. The first 15 minutes of the game Fuego FC did not attack, sat back and limited Lopez getting involved.They did a good job closing down space and closing down Luis Felipe and Douglas Martinez Jr. as well. Even then, Republic relied on Keko and Lewis to create chances on goal. The Fuego goalkeeper made three big saves in the first half. 

In the second half, as mentioned, Vasquez modified to a more offensive mindset. Bijev was moved to the left flank instead of in the central part of the field. A turning point came in the 75th minute when Fuego substitute Renato Bustamante came in for Diego Casillas. Last 15 minutes of the game, down 1-0, Vasquez was going for it. His decision paid dividends as Bustamante’s first contact with the ball turned into a goal two minutes later after Bijev beat his defender and crossed the ball in for Renato to hit the back of the net. 

In the dying minutes of regulation, Sacramento pushed numbers forward and Matt LaGrassa drew a penalty kick after being taken down in the box by a CV Fuego defender. The home crowd ignited after the whistle was blown.  

Rodrigo Lopez was the clear choice to take the spot kick. 

“There’s nobody else I would want in those moments,” said Briggs. “We all know what ‘Roro’ brings, his qualities, but the things he does off the field make him an exceptional captain as well. I think he led by example again tonight.” 

The 90th-minute goal was Rodrigo Lopez’s fifth career US Open Cup goal, second-most in Sacramento Republic history.

With this win, Republic FC also extended their home winning streak to eight games, which is the longest active streak and tied for the fourth longest of the Modern Era (1995-present) of the US Open Cup. 

“Hopefully we can get a home game, get this place rocking and hopefully we can beat an MLS team and make some noise in the cup,” Briggs said after the game. “And also show MLS what they’re missing with this club.”

The next day, the Indomitable Club found out that they will, in fact, have a home game in the Fourth Round of the tournament. However, it won’t be against an MLS side. Republic FC will host fellow USL Championship rival Phoenix Rising FC on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Central Valley Fuego make statement in USOC debut

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Central Valley Fuego 2022 US Open Cup Villyan Bijev
Villyan Bijjev of Central Valley Fuego dribbles the ball against El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: CV Fuego FC

On paper, Central Valley Fuego were the underdog. Anyone watching would have a hard time determining which club competed in Division 2 and which was from a Division 3 league. The Fuego of USL League One (Div. 3 pro) dominated in their Second Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup against the USL Championship’s (Div. 2 pro) El Paso Locomotive, 4 -1 on Tuesday night.

Despite not playing in their usual home field of Fresno State Soccer Stadium, CVF attracted many fans to the larger Lamonica Stadium in Clovis, Calif. and made them feel right at home on a memorable night.

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The scoring began early as Fuego left back Nathan Smith pumped a long ball down the left flank to Villyan Bijev. The Bulgarian calmly collected the ball and casually chipped the onrushing El Paso goalkeeper to open the scoring in the 4th minute.

Philipp Beigl nearly made the same mistake twice as an almost identical play occurred in the ninth minute. A direct long ball was played up to Fuego striker Christian Chaney as El Paso keeper Beigl ran towards the top of his box. Chaney went for the chip but this time, Beigl made the save.

El Paso Locomotive had their best chance of keeping the game competitive in the 12th minute. Former MLSer Luis Solignac dispossessed Nathan Smith in Fuego’s defensive third, deftly turned the corner at the edge of the 18 yard box, and played a low pass in for Eric Calvillo. But Calvillo’s side-footed effort went directly into Fuego keeper Ofek Antman’s midsection to keep El Paso off the board.

Bijev had a hand in the Fuego’s second of the night moments later, taking the corner and although the ball was cleared out of the box, the clearance was weak. The bouncing ball was met by an onrushing Nathan Smith with a full head of steam, and the former LA Galaxy homegrown fired a terrific shot with his laces from 30 yards out. The ball never stopped rising as it thundered into the top corner in the 15th minute for the 2-0 advantage.

The goal ranked No. 6 on Sportscenter’s Top 10 list on Tuesday evening.

From then on the rate of chances decreased somewhat and was replaced instead by a higher than usual amount of fouls and bookings. Both El Paso fullbacks were booked within a minute of each other. Eder Borelli for bringing down Bijev in the 24th minute and Shavon John-Brown was guilty of pulling down a CVF attacker.


In the 35th minute as the ball went out of play over the end line, Luis Solignac hit the turf following minimal contact from a Fuego defender. The referee informed Solignac that there was no foul but this incident sparked a small melee that included a lot of pushing and shoving of players from both teams. Ultimately, only a yellow card was produced to El Paso’s Aaron Gomez.

Bijev found his brace in the 44th minute. Adding a lovely solo effort that displayed his technical qualities, Bijev diced up two El Paso defenders and carried the ball into the box. After dancing past the second defender, he wrapped his foot around the ball and guided it past Beigl’s far post.

El Paso manager John Hutchinson attempted to spark a comeback by making three changes during the break but things went from bad to worse for El Paso. Shavon John-Brown was sent off following a challenge that earned him his second yellow card in the 58th minute.


Fuego almost immediately used their man advantage as they scored their fourth goal of the night in the 62nd. Bijev delivered a corner kick to the back post and Christian Chaney jumped highest to head it home.

In the 83rd minute, Fuego coach Jaime Ramirez opted to sub in his backup keeper Mitchell North for the largely unbothered Ofek Antman. The Fuego fans in the seats at Lamonica Stadium were having a blast all night. They stayed lively and got loud for all four of their goals, even utilizing the classic ‘Olé’ chant following a long bout of possession.

Eric Calvillo did a little to spoil their fun in the 90th minute when he scored El Paso Locomotive’s first goal in the club’s Open Cup history, finding the ball outside the box and finishing strongly past Mitchell North.

 

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