Know Your Opponent 2026: Valley 559 FC

Sacramento will be making a trip down to Clovis for some second-round action in the Open Cup.

After surviving a contest that went to extra time against El Farolito, Sacramento progressed into the second round of the US Open Cup. Forster Ajago got the brace on the night as Sacramento fended off a rough El Farolito side. As for their oponent, Valley 559 FC will be looking to continue their cupset run in this tournament. The three-time defending UPSL NorCal South Conference title holders upset AV Alta on their home turf to book their place in the second round. And this is the club's first appearance in the US Open Cup and they will be hoping that this run will continue for at least one more round.

Valley 559 FC

Manager: Milton Blanco

Formation: 4-3-3

Record W-L-D: 1-1-0 (UPSL Premier; NorCal South Conference)

Last 3 Games: LWW

Path to Open Cup: W 1-0 @ AV Alta

Players to Watch: Quincy Amarikwa, Jose Serrano

This team is littered with former MLS and USL talent, and the name that should jump out to you on the roster is Quincy Amarikwa. You might remember him from his days with the San Jose Earthquakes or, more recently, his time with the Oakland Roots or Las Vegas Lights. Amarikwa will be leading the line for Valley 559. And his performance has already paid off as he scored the game-winner in their first round match against AV Alta. Despite Amarikwa's height, Valley 559's main avenue of attack is the cross. They will look to build up play from their keeper, Mark Gamez. Gamez is willing to come a couple of yards out of his box to find a better angle to connect a long ball to one of his midfielders. If a player like Jose Serrano uses his physicality and wins that ball, look for one of their wingers to make a quick run off of him to try and receive the pass and bomb down the flanks. And from there, they will look to get a cross into the box. Amarikwa is a crafty player and can easily find a way to get away from his mark. You can see all of this in play in their goal against AV Alta. But besides Amarikwa, Jose Serrano, Roberto Ordonez, and the rest of the Valley 559 midfield are willing to take shots from range. So whoever is in the Sacramento net will have to keep on his toes for chances from distance. This is a team that had more shots on target against AV Alta, holding a 7-5 advantage, despite holding only 31% of the possession. They can and will take advantage of any opportunity they get.

QUINCY AMARIKWA DIVING HEADER ✈️@ValleyFC_559 in front and pushing for the upset! pic.twitter.com/mwxq2NQ1SJ

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 19, 2026

I know what the formation says. But this team goes to a 5-3-2 when they don't hold possession. One of their midfielders will drop back as a center back and provide extra cover in their box. Out wide, their midfielders will move close to their wingbacks, try to outnumber any opposing winger deep in their flanks, and force a turnover. Now, they do use a 5-back system, but they don't sit in as low a block as El Farolito did, which Sacramento saw in the previous round. Valley 559 runs a consistent high press and did not shy away from challenging AV Alta when they were on the ball. I believe Sacramento can use this to their advantage. Elijah Martin, Valley 559's right back, is usually the most advanced of their defenders. He will have a high line of confrontation against any of the Republic's players on that side of the field. If the Republic can draw him out, that will leave space behind him to attack their box. AV Alta were able to do that with mixed success, forcing Valley 559 to scramble their defenses to track some late runners. Sacramento will need to replicate that tactic to crack Valley 559's defense.

Republic's Way to Victory: Control the midfield. Don't let Valley 559 win those long balls and get a foothold in the attack. Win those aerial duels and force them to play a ground game. That will be the step to stifle their offense and keep them pinned back. If Sacramento makes a mistake, Valley 559 will break hard on a counterattack and try to find their wingers. And then on the other end of the field, draw out their defenders and make darting runs to receive through balls in behind their backline. And of course, put those shots home and take advantage of all opportunities.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming match? Let us know!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)