laguna united fc

2026 US Open Cup Round 1: Orange County SC takes care of business, 3-0 vs. Laguna United

March 19, 2026 by Kathryne Padilla

Chris Hegardt of Orange County SC celebrates after scoring a goal against Laguna United in the First Round of the 2026 US Open Cup. Photo: Orange County SC

Consistency and assertiveness were the key combination for Orange County SC’s 3-0 win over Laguna United FC in the first round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“The intention and really, the sole goal tonight was to be in the next round. So we’ve achieved that … we’re happy with the outcome,” said Orange County SC head coach Danny Stone.

Orange County SC started the first half with immense determination to be in the lead. They held most of the possession throughout the half and allowed Lauguna United FC very few moments to create offensive advances.

As the energy continued to amp up on the field, Laguna United FC would find themselves earning a yellow card in the 22nd minute by Carter Blondolilllo. However, that would not affect their gameplay as they quickly regrouped for the next play.

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“…you know these Cup games, they’re never as simple as people feel they should be. And credit to Laguna United, they played a good game tonight,” said Stone.

After several close attempts to take the lead, Orange County SC finally put themselves on top with a goal in the 25th minute by Stephen Kelly. A few plays later in the 28th minute, and multiple saves from the Laguna United keeper, a final rebound landed on the foot of Ryan Doghman, who secured a 2-0 lead.

“It was nice to get my first goal of the season. Just tried to get in the box and from the back holding the ball and luckily got shot away,” said Kelly.

Orange County SC would remain in possession of the ball for the duration of the first half. In addition, both teams would accumulate a fair share of fouls, but wouldn’t have much effect on them.

However, no more goals would be made in the half; resulting in a score of 2-0 in favor of Orange County SC.

As the second half commenced, Laguna United FC took the opportunity to maintain possession of the ball, but it was short-lived. The match would again fall into the hands of Orange County SC.

Only in the 71st minute would Laguna United FC have an attempt on goal, where the shot would skim the top of the net and out of the bounds.

As the final minutes of the match ticked away, Orange County SC had a fourth opportunity to raise the score.

A block, in the 86th minute, thet rebounds off Laguna United FC’s goalie rolls into position for an incoming Orange SC player. However, that play would be called offside.

The final whistle would sound with Orange County SC advancing to the next round in this 3-0 victory.

“… the most important thing tonight was to be in the next round. But as far as how we carry through, we take the positives from it, as we always do. The clean sheet tonight is a good one. And to win a game is key. This is it,” said Stone.

2026 US Open Cup Qualifying: Laguna United qualify at San Diego’s expense again

November 24, 2025 by MaryBeth Zmuda

Laguna United celebrates after defeating San Diego Internacional 4-2 in the final round of the 2026 US Open Cup qualifying tournament. Photo: Laguna United FC

Laguna United FC held a master class on Saturday night as they completed their path to qualifying for the 2026 US Open Cup with a decisive 4-2 win over visiting UPSL side San Diego Internacional.

This win looked very similar to last year’s “Win & You’re In” match in the qualifying rounds where LUFC beat Inter down in San Diego by an even wider margin, 6-2.

“We played a familiar opposing team, repeating the same round versus San Diego Internacional last year but the match was away,” said Sam Nicholson, head coach of Laguna United. “This year it was great to play, and win, in front of a home crowd.”

Brandon Cortez was the only goal scorer for San Diego Internacional, getting a brace for his team in the first half as all the goal scoring for both sides came in the first 45 minutes.

SD Internacional got the scoring started quickly as Cortez was at the receiving end of a long throw-in from teammate Jake Haupt in the 4th minute. Haupt’s massive effort placed the ball dead in front of the net allowing Cortez to flick a perfect header right past Laguna United keeper Jacob Estall.

Not to be outdone, just four minutes later LUFC got to light up their side of the scoreboard. Starting all the way from their own net, Laguna utilized a series of stealthy passes to move the ball quickly into striking distance. The final two passes at the end of that chain were Hudson Garner with a lightening pass to star striker Mikey Barraza who blasted it past the out of position Laguna keeper making 1-1.

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Garner got his second assist for the night when he sent the ball over to teammate Woody Angell who slotted it home giving Laguna their first lead of the game at 2-1.

In the 36th minute, Cortez got his second for Inter.

Once again he was in a perfect position as a ball got placed directly at his waiting boot — and without letting it hit the ground — he was able to leave Estall stunned and sent the ball straight to the back of the net.

United would regain the lead for good with goals in the 39th and 42nd minutes. Woody Angell scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot. Three minutes later, Angell assisted on Marc Birkelund’s goal. That 4-2 halftime lead would hold up for the remainder of the game.

Little did either side know that the final goal of the match had already been scored. After a huge six goals in the first half, the second half wouldn’t see a single ball get between the pipes.

Both sides continued to put in full effort and did manage to create chances but neither could complete the task.

LUFC advances to the US Open Cup proper where they will try to improve on their debut last year. They lost their first round game to MLS NEXT Pro side Ventura County FC 7-0 on the road.

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Bibout’s hat trick powers Ventura County FC past Laguna United FC

March 25, 2025 by Ignacio Cervantes

Luis Muller of Ventura County FC avoids the Laguna United FC goalkeeper in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Ventura County FC

Aaron Bibout scored the first hat trick of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup to help Ventura County FC (VCFC) in a 7-0 win over Laguna United FC at the Sports Dignity Health Park Track & Field Facility.

Luis added a goal and three assists while VCFC — formerly known as LA Galaxy II — overwhelmed Laguna United to advance to America’s oldest soccer tournament’s Second Round.

Yousef Farah’s miss from close range two minutes from halftime while VCFC led 2-0 sealed the visitor’s fate before the hosts separated itself in a lopsided second half.

A pair of assists by Muller before the break paved the way while Ascel Essengue and Jason Bucknor added to VCFC’s tally.

Defender Essengue got the game’s first goal after 18 minutes when Muller’s corner kick attempt found the center back who used a first-timed, toe-poke to squeeze the ball past Laguna United defender Tiago Aranibar and goalkeeper Hector Flores.

Bibout added VCFC’s second goal four minutes from the break following a fine set-up cross by Muller which ended with the former blasting past Flores from just inside the 6-yard-box after an elusive first-touch opened the space.

The teams went into the break with Ventura in a 2-0 lead after Farah’s rushed attempt in front of goal kept the visitors from closing the deficit before Bibout added his second goal seven minutes after the restart from a corner kick that fell kindly for him to volley beyond Flores.

Bibout capped-off his night after 68 minutes with the tournament’s first hat trick with his third conversion from a volley before Bucknor and Muller piled on the trouble for Laguna United.

On Muller’s goal, Vincent Garcia became one of the competition’s youngest players (in the Modern Era) to provide an assist (14 years, 8 months, 23 days). TheCup.us is working on confirming if he is, in fact, the youngest.

Bibout became the 74th player in the Modern Era to score a hat trick but he’s the first Cameroon-born player to do so.

Laguna United defender Ben Nicholson’s night went from bad to worse when a cross into the box by VCFC’s Bucknor deflected off the Laguna man and into his own net.

VCFC will face El Paso Locomotive FC in the Second Round at the DHSP Track & Field Stadium on April 2 for a chance to appear in the Third Round which takes place April 15-16.

2025 US Open Cup Qualifying: Laguna United cruise to first USOC berth with 6-2 win in San Diego

December 9, 2024 by MaryBeth Zmuda

Laguna United FC celebrate after defeating San Diego Internacional 6-2 to qualify for the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Laguna United FC

San Diego Internacional hosted Laguna United FC as both UPSL sides sought a coveted spot in the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Laguna rolled over San Diego Inter in a decisive 6-2 victory, claiming the club’s first-ever Open Cup spot with a chance to potentially prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.

Laguna United made the trip south to Mission Bay Stadium in San Diego with one thing on its mind and it showed. Within their crushing defeat of San Diego Internacional, they held a master class. Laguna operated like a well-oiled machine and had control of the entire match. This was in stark contrast to SD Inter who struggled to keep up with the visitors and essentially outplayed themselves.

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LUFC came out guns a blazing, grabbing four goals lead by halftime.

Left wing Michael Barrazas was responsible for two of those. He struck early with a banger in the 9th minute that was set up due to a defensive miscue. Barrazas would take advantage of another mistake at the back and double the lead in the 25th minute.

In the 32nd minute, San Diego forward Marck Cruz Benito was able to get the home side on the board as he cut the lead to 2-1.

Eight minutes later LUFC would respond. After making it past Inter’s entire defense Barrazas came face to face with goalkeeper John Neves whom he was easily able to maneuver the ball past. Barrazas then got an assist for himself when he and teammate, striker Yousef Farah, deftly moved up the pitch getting into range. Barrazas sent a perfectly timed and centered ball to the waiting foot of Farah who slotted it past the keeper to make it 3-1.

While the display of teamwork previously displayed was a thing of beauty, Farah’s second goal was what fans live for. A Laguna corner created a small melee in front Inter’s net. Farah was able to take advantage of a loose ball and performed a perfect bicycle kick past an unsuspecting Neves to make it 4-1 right before the half.

“(The bicycle kick goal) was huge,” said Laguna United center back Ben Nicholson. “The three goal cushion made a big difference. And the manner in which it was scored definitely contributed to the feeling that the game was going to go our way.”

The second half was a more subdued event. Laguna United was still playing strongly, but they were more about containment. SD Inter was again in contrast of their opponents. They appeared to be overthinking the game, rather than playing more instinctive. Laguna United would extend their lead in the 50th minute when Farah rounded the goalkeeper and slotted it home to complete the hat trick.

Luke Raley did manage to get another for SDI in the 69th minute. But this would be the end of scoring for them.

Laguna United would add a sixth and final goal from the penalty spot when Luke Newman drew a foul inside the box. Ben Nicholson would convert the PK to deliver a memorable result for LUFC with the club’s first-ever trip to the US Open Cup.

“This is a historic moment for our club that really dates back to 10 years of hard work,” said Laguna United director of coaching Sam Nicholson. “Our UPSL team is driven by home grown developed youth players with 10 different age groups represented between the 2010-2002 birth years bringing our current top youth players and our alumni together to achieve this goal. To be part of such a historic cup and have our name in that hat for the real first round is proud for our whole community.”