San Ramon Comes Back to Earn a Point at El Farolito
Four days after their historic U.S. Open Cup run ended, El Farolito returned to NPSL Golden Gate Conference play and earned a 1-1 draw with San Ramon FC at Boxer Stadium in San Francisco.
El Farolito started seven players who had also started in their grueling 120-minute U.S. Open Cup match versus the Oakland Roots on Tuesday night.
San Ramon also faced a significant challenge, with only two players available to be substituted into the match. Francois Ivan Sakou Messomo played the final 30 minutes and Alvaro Oseguera made a cameo appearance in stoppage time.
San Ramon will have significantly more firepower when their college players return next weekend, representing such programs as U.C. Berkeley, Cal State Stanislaus, and Saint Mary’s College.
First Half Chances Favor Farolito
The first chance of the match in the fifth minute, when Farolito’s Open Cup hero, Dembor Benson, received a cross in his preferred position near the six-yard box, but his one-timer sailed wide.
In the 34th minute, San Ramon’s Nate Carrasco found an opening in the Farolito defense, but could only get off a weak shot that easily saved by goalkeeper Johan Lizzaralde. Carrasco also had another chance in the 41st minute, but Farolito defender Johnatan Mosquera’s sliding tackle prevented Carrasco from getting a shot off.
In the 38th minute, Farolito’s Jehimy Arias had a shot from distance that went wide. Two minutes later, his teammate Edgard Kreye had a header in front of the net, but mishit the ball and it sailed off target.
Benson had another chance in the 43rd minute, but his soft header was saved by goalkeeper James Hajdukovich.
Second Half Substitutions Pay Off
El Farolito made four substitutions at halftime and they immediately paid off when substitute Herlbert Soto scored the first goal of the match in the 51st minute. A cross was headed for Benson, but he let the ball run on to an unmarked Soto who blasted a hard shot into the roof of the net.
For most of the next 10 minutes, the home side continued threatening, and appeared to be likely to add a second goal. But a quick counterattack in the 61st minute found San Ramon’s Braulio Maravilla with room to run and his shot beat Lizzarralde at the right post.
Farolito continued on the attack, while San Ramon hung on. In the 68th minute, Benson laid the ball off for Kreye, who missed wide. Four minutes later, Soto set up a shot for Jehimy Arias, but his shot was also off target. By then, both clubs were visibly tiring.
In the 74th minute, a Soto cross gave Benson another opportunity, but it went straight into the arms of Hajdukovich.
And in the end, San Ramon was able to earn a point.
After the match, San Ramon’s Coach Bejan Esmaili said he was proud of his club’s performance.
“I have the most respect for Farolito, they’re an incredible team that has had so much success, and an incredible group of players with a lot of experience,” Esmaili said. “For us, it’s always a learning experience. At the end of the day, being short-handed and giving every little bit of energy was absolutely incredible. You can’t dictate the results, but you can dictate the work rate and these guys did a great job, so I’m really proud of them. Super proud of them.”
Farolito’s Coach Santiago Lopez was more frustrated with the result.
“The first half it was very difficult to get into rhythm,” Lopez said. “The wind and the conditions didn’t favor either team and it really did affect our style of play. But we made four changes at halftime and we showed a different phase, a different character. It’s unfortunate that San Ramon got that tying goal and they ended up managing the game very well.”
Napa Valley Stomps California Odyssey SC
Napa Valley 1839 FC took full advantage of El Farolito’s inability to grab three points, taking over first place in the Golden Gate Conference with a 4-1 win at California Odyssey SC.
The visitors took a lead they would never relinquish in the 21st minute, when captain Dario Pavon converted a penalty kick. Ryan Kane scored in the 39th minute to give Napa a two-goal lead heading into halftime.
Adrian Lopez raised the home fans’ hopes with a 56th minute goal, but Napa put the match away with goals from Ian Reis in the 86th minute and Javier Alcarria Moreno in the 89th.
Oakland SC Claims First Leg of Town Derby With Win Over Stompers
Oakland SC earned a measure of redemption for last season’s first round playoff loss with a 4-0 thrashing of the Oakland Stompers at Chabot College in Hayward.
Arman Mogharei opened the scoring in the 15th minute and the visitors took command in the second half with goals from Addison Escobar; Nicolas Brenes Jr.; and Julio Cervantes from the penalty spot.
Next Week
Next week, Sacramento Gold FC returns to action after a bye, hosting California Odyssey SC. Napa Valley hosts the Stompers and San Ramon hosts Oakland SC.
