2025 Open Cup Recap: Sacramento Republic 1, El Farolito SC 0
Sacramento opened their 2025 Open Cup campaign hosting tournament darlings El Farolito in the third round. This was a game of two teams that were known to pull the upset, but it would be Sacramento coming out on top of this one. A goal from Sebastian Herrera in the first half was enough to see Sacramento take this match and move into the next round.
The Burrito Boys. El Farolito SC. This team was coming into this game riding a 4 game winning streak across all competitions. They were also running a 21-game unbeaten streak across all competitions that spanned all the way back to last year's edition of the cup where their last loss was to the Oakland Roots. This run saw them claim last year's NSPL championship. For their Open Cup campaign this year, they've already upset Real Monarchs and Monterey Bay before encountering the Republic. The player to watch would be Dembor Benson as he'd be leading the line for El Farolito.
Sacramento came into this match looking to get some momentum back. After their opening match, they've failed to win the next 4 times of asking. I was curious to see how Coach Collins would rotate the squad with this busy week of matches.
Coach Neill Collins made this selection for the Republic:
Here is tonight's starting XI vs El Farolito ⚽️ #SACvFAR
— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.com) April 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
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There were some players who rotated in for this match. Jared Mazzola got the start in goal for this one. AJ Edwards and Ryan Spaulding would be the wingbacks. Justin Portillo got the nod in midfield. And Roro Lopez would be part of the front line.
Sacramento opened the match as the aggressor with El Farolito doing well to fend off the Republic's opening attacks.
Sacramento got the first decent chance of the night at the 15th minute mark. A long cross got to Roro Lopez at the opposite side of the field. He headed the ball back across the El Farolito box to Lewis Jamieson. The striker had some space and winded up for the shot, but it was placed over the bar.
After a couple of more chances, Sacramento found the opening goal in the 29th minute. A great ball was swung in from Roro Lopez on the right. Sebastian Herrera was in the middle of the El Farolito box and got his head to the cross. The striker then headed it home past the El Farolito keeper to give the Republic the lead.
Sebastian Herrera opens up the scoreline!
— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.com) April 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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Jared Mazzola was called into action in the 38th minute. El Farolito were controlling possession and lobbing crosses into the Sacramento box. One cross was floated in looking for Dembor Benson. Mazzola had to step in and get a hand on the ball before it reached the striker at the far post.
Lewis Jamieson had an opportunity to extend the lead in the 42nd minute. A ball played from the Republic midfield got to the striker. He turned and dribbled into the El Farolito box. Jamieson was able to shake free of his markers and got a shot that threatened the keeper. The shot was spilled out by the El Farolito keeper, but the play would be called dead.
The halftime interval came with the Republic holding the advantage. The first half was a solid showing with the goal coming from Sebastian Herrera. El Farolito had to absorb a lot of the pressure but were still in this match going into the second half.
At halftime, Coach Collins made a trio of substitutions. Russell Cicerone, Michel Benitez, and Jared Timmer came onto the field. Sebastian Herrera, Rayan Djedje, and Blake Willey were taken off.
Sacramento was building up some play outside the El Farolito box in the 50th minute. Some combination passes from Roro Lopez and Russell Cicerone led to Ryan Spaulding getting involved in the action. He took a touch on the ball outside the box and put in a long-distance effort that hit the post and got cleared out.
Coach Collins made another pair of substitutions in the 68th minute. Luis Felipe and Dominik Wanner took to the pitch in place of Rodrigo Lopez and Ryan Spaulding.
Sacramento again were looking to add to their advantage in the 73rd minute. Long ball from Mazzola was headed down into the path of Russell Cicerone. The striker dribbled in onto the El Farolito net and worked his way past the keeper. But when he was able to get a shot on the net there was an El Farolito defender in the way to block the shot out.
As the clock ticked on El Farolito were searching for an equalizer. A chance came in the 78th minute. Arias got the ball outside the Sacramento box and took a swing at goal. The shot forced Mazzola to go full stretch to save the ball from going into the back of the net.
El Farolito were still pushing but as the full-time whistle came there was no equalizer for them. Their magical run came to an end in Sacramento. From the Republic perspective, it was a solid but expected performance in this match. There were opportunities for the advantage to be increased. The attack just wasn't able to convert more of their chances. But it's survive and advance in this competition. And Sacramento did just that. Next up for Sacramento is back in league play with a road trip to Phoenix. Onwards!
Key Takeaways:
- Solid defensive display to limit quality opportunities for El Farolito.
- The attack could've gotten more from this match.
- Hopefully this builds up momentum for league action.
Sacramento Republic FC: 1 goal, 14 shots, 5 shots on target, 51.5% possession, 6 corners, 4 offsides, 9 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
El Farolito SC: 0 goals, 13 shots, 3 shots on target, 48.5% possession, 0 corners, 5 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
Republic FC Lineup: Jared Mazzola, Chibi Ukaegbu, Freddy Kleeman, Rayan Djedje (OUT, HT'), Ryan Spaulding (OUT, 68'), AJ Edwards, Blake Willey (OUT, HT'), Justin Portillo, Lewis Jamieson, Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 68'), Sebastian Herrrera (OUT, HT')
Republic FC Bench: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez (IN, HT'), Jared Timmer (IN, HT'), Dominik Wanner (IN, 68'), Luis Felipe (IN, 68'), Russell Cicerone (IN, HT'), Trevor Amann
What were your thoughts on the match? Sound off in the comments below!
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Check out the stats from this match here!
Image: SacRepublicFC.com
Riyan Lacara
All Is Quail Blog Author/Co-Host
The “numbers guy”, Riyan! Riyan is a native of Sacramento and has been following the Republic since day one. He has covered the team across different media outlets including now his own, All is Quail Soccer. Aside from putting numbers in spreadsheets, he has a love of video games and finding a good book to put in his ever growing to-read pile.
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