El Farolito faced a daunting task traveling to Portland to take on the MLS Next Pro side Timbers 2 at Providence Park. However, when it comes to the US Open Cup, you can never count El Farolito out.
Two second-half goals helped ElFaro overcome an early deficit and secure the victory.
A mistake by Farolito keeper Johan Lizarralde on a free kick allowed Timbers 2 Keesean Ferdinand to score in the 30th minute and take the lead.
Just after the break, El Farolito tied the game on a Yhoann Yabur header. Shortly after, Portland’s Harry Neville was sent off for receiving a second yellow.
In the 68th minute, longtime Farolito striker Benson headed home another cross for what turned out to be the eventual game-winner.
El Faro’s has long been one of San Francisco’s most successful soccer clubs since its founding in 1986. Its crowning triumph was winning the US Open Cup, America’s premier soccer tournament open to any amateur and professional club, in 1993. Before the tournament that year, Farolito changed their team name to Club Deportivo (CD) Mexico. That year, they defeated the defending champions, the San Jose Oaks. In the finals, they crushed the United German Hungarians from the Philadelphia area, 5-0, to raise the crown.
Farolito’s team continues to be composed of local amateurs and former pro soccer players, many from Latin America, who continue to play for the love of the game. The Timbers 2 side, a third-division pro team, is the reserve side for MLS’s Portland Timbers and is composed of young players attempting to push their way up to the first-division club.
“It’s been a great experience to travel and play at a beautiful venue against a young and talented squad,” said El Farolito coach Santiago Lopez after the game. “We are eager to find out where we will play in the 2nd Round.”
The draw for their second-round opponent is next up for the San Francisco side. The game will take place either Tuesday, April 1, or Wed, April 2nd.
