Denton Diablos

2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: ASC New Stars win PK shootout to end 14-year USOC drought

November 25, 2025 by Adam Uthe

ASC New Stars celebrate after defeating Denton Diablos 4-3 in a PK shootout (after a 0-0 draw) in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: ASC New Stars

For the fourth time in club history – and the first time since 2012 – Houston’s ASC New Stars are headed to the US Open Cup. The visiting side overcame an extra time red card from defender Eric Robertson (his second yellow of the match) and a furious attack from hosts Denton Diablos to force penalty kicks, where they advanced 4-3 behind two massive saves from goalkeeper Emmanuel Frias.

From the opening kick, it looked as if Denton Diablos were destined to advance. Their initial pressure forced three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the match. Striker Jay Lee – who scored two goals on two separate occasions in the earlier rounds of qualifying – stretched ASC’s backline throughout the first half, but the visitors managed to bend without breaking. Denton’s sustained pressure began to wane towards the end of the first half and the New Stars’ confidence grew as they began to find the gaps in transition. Neither side, however, broke the deadlock.

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Both sides picked up where they left off coming out of halftime; Denton kept up its attack and New Stars exploited the space in behind in transition. The Diablos looked to have finally broken the dam in 77th minute, but a brilliant diving header off a free kick from Eric Robertson’s first yellow card was ruled offside. Lee’s finishing touch seemingly had abandoned him; a 90th minute header sailed just over the bar and extra time would be required.

ASC New Stars head coach Tom Khalili admitted his side were losing the fitness battle late in the game as extra time came into play. And in the 113th minute, Eric Robertson’s second yellow card of the night looked as if it might be a fatal blow to the Houston side’s resistance. But the New Stars managed to hang on and force a shootout.

Each side converted their first three chances before ASC’s goalkeeper Emmanual Frias – who has featured previously in the Open Cup with NTX Rayados – came up with not one, but two saves that proved to be decisive; New Stars’ proved too much for Denton to overcome. Camilo Botero Fonseca converted the winning spot kick for the visitors.

“Oh, it was an awesome game. Anybody could have won it.” Khalili mused afterwards “ are a good, legitimate team…but we wanted to get there, and the guys showed passion. And when it goes to penalty kicks, it’s anybody’s game.”

He felt so strongly in his team’s overall performance, he couldn’t bring himself to single out any individual players.

“I honestly cannot pick one out. It would be unfair to all the other players. So I think I would just take my hat off to all my players. I love them all.”

ASC New Stars now await their fate in the 2026 Open Cup draw.

Penalty Kick Shootout Summary

Diego Herrera, ASC: GOAL
Eric Gomez Silva, Denton: GOAL
Ivan Andre Luquetta, ASC: GOAL
Jay Lee, Denton: GOAL
Hani Husain Ahmad, ASC: GOAL
Mason Moyers, Denton: GOAL
Quayyum Akorede Murana, ASC: SAVED
Matthew Albury, Denton: SAVED
Camilo Botero Fonseca, ASC: GOAL
Arnold Onyango, Denton: SAVED

2022 US Open Cup Round 1: D’Feeters Kicks edge NPSL champs in heated affair

March 23, 2022 by Daniel Crooke

Steven Chavez, D'Feeters Kicks SC, Denton Diablos FC, 2022 US Open Cup, First Round, Goal — D’Feeters Kicks SC midfielder Steven Chavez (17) celebrates with his teammates following his goal against Denton Diablos FC in the First Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Carlos Hernandez

Five goals and three red cards ensured that a cold night in Denton gave way to a heated atmosphere as NPSL national champions Denton Diablos fell to local qualifier, D’Feeters Kicks SC.

After initially qualifying for the cancelled 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, a sense of the hosts finally getting their day in the cup was buoyed on as Julio Vargas met Alex Estrada’s cross to give Denton a 10th minute lead.

DKSC soon turned the score around after Sebastian Mendez stole the ball away in the Denton back line to level things before reigning UPSL Championship MVP Miles Byass slid home a Luis Hernandez cross to give the Dallas side the advantage in the 35th minute. Adrian Renteria looked to have extended the lead moments later but for an offside call against Byass, who didn’t appear to be involved in the passage of play.

Brandon Cerda brought things level once more, taking advantage of a heavy defensive touch but Steven Chavez restored the lead on the stroke of half time, turning home an Renteria cross off the front post.

DKSC may be new to the Open Cup and the UPSL Premier Division, but are familiar with Denton having played under their current guise and as Harrington FC in the local Roja League competitions. The game had threatened to get chippy, and the second half did not disappoint.

MORE: Meet the Underdogs: D’Feeters Kicks SC

Despite trailing, the Diablos had a man advantage early in the second half after Renteria kicked a ball at Antonio Perez as the Denton sub stayed on the ground after being fouled in the 53rd minute. The referee initially showed the card to DKSC’s Miguel Ojeda before one of the assistants corrected the mistaken identity.

With 20 minutes to go, the hosts lost that advantage as Alex Estrada saw red for a stamp on Angel Ramirez.

The game’s excitement ground to a halt until stoppage time. Denton’s Julian Barajas produced a beautiful piece of play, popping the ball over a defender before running on to the ball and smashing a shot that was narrowly tipped away for a corner. The resulting set piece was then headed and blocked on the line by an arm.

As D’Feeters Kicks broke down field, an incensed Diablos team chased down the opposition with captain Carlos Flores conceding a free kick. His remonstrations at the potential penalty decision saw a yellow and then a red card waved in his direction as DKSC held out for a second round fixture with San Antonio FC on April 5.