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.”
Sahara’s goal is similar to many teams around the country. But what sets them apart is the friends in high places trying to help them in their cause: Players from the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. With that link being seen even across the team’s chest.
