Young Contra Costa Side Overcomes Farolito
Addison Escobar’s goal in the second minute of stoppage time propelled Contra Costa FC to a 3-2 win over El Farolito in a third-round US Open Cup qualifier game at James P. Lang Field in San Francisco on Saturday night.
Both of the NPSL Golden Gate Conference rivals had much different rosters than in their regular-season meeting last June. Contra Costa’s roster was made up mostly of younger players from their Atlético East Bay affiliate. Farolito retained a core of players from their NPSL side, but defender Brayan Villalobos was forced to serve as goalkeeper because first-string goalkeeper Jonathan Barona was unavailable and their regular backup was unable to play due to a hand injury.
In the first half, Contra Costa’s counterattack created several good chances that challenged the Farolito backline. Escobar’s 44th-minute goal gave Contra Costa the lead going into halftime.
While Farolito’s best scoring chances in the first half came on direct balls to their experienced forwards, they were able to put on more sustained pressure in the second half. They evened the match when Irving Garcia headed home a corner kick in the 50th minute.
The clubs traded goals in the middle of the second half. Roberto Gonzalez gave Contra Costa the lead in the 64th minute after Villalobos mishandled his shot at the near post. Farolito’s Dembor Benson equalized again with a header in the 71st minute.
Farolito had several chances in the final 20 minutes, but Escobar ended up scoring the game-winner. It was set up by several excellent passes by his teammates who found an opening in the El Farolito defense and enabled Escobar to complete a brace.
Metro FC Moves On With Win Over Battle Born FC
Metro FC of San Francisco earned a tough road win by beating Battle Born FC 1-0 at Douglass High School in Minden, Nevada on Sunday afternoon.
Christian Garcia scored the only goal of the match in the 64th minute when he grabbed a loose ball in the box and took a shot that found the far corner.
Battle Born outshot Metro 4-3 in the first half and had the bulk of the chances in the second half, but Metro emerged with the victory.
Inter FC
Inter SF’s Open Cup odyssey ended with a 3-1 loss to Sporting ID 11 on Sunday afternoon at Lake Forest Sports Park.
Sporting took a two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes of the match. Etoikal Atlabet scored in the 6th minute and also recorded an assist on Jose Montes De Oca’s goal 9 minutes later.
Inter climbed back into the match in the 47th minute, thanks to an own goal, but Andre Morris put the match away with a goal in the 87th minute.
