In a possible preview of next month’s NPSL playoffs, El Farolito beat Cruizers FC by a score of 3-0 at Kezar Stadium on Saturday night. This season’s previous match between the two clubs in Modesto on May 23 also ended on the same scoreline.
While El Farolito had most of the chances throughout the match, Cruizers was not afraid to play the ball deep into Farolito’s end of the field. Meanwhile, Farolito’s Head Coach Santiago Lopez was figuring out the best way to keep Cruizers off the score sheet.
“We were missing two starters today, and for me, it was a puzzle trying to figure out the starting lineup and then the subs,” Lopez said.
“These guys [from Cruizers FC] are always very intense. They have a very dynamic group and they know how to counter, so we’re very aware of their game plan. And I’m very happy that the boys came out very intense in the first half, putting in the rhythm and trying to control the game.”
First Half Filled with Frustration As Both Sides Search for Goal
The first half was extremely competitive, with El Farolito getting most of the chances but being unable to catch Cruizers on the wrong foot.
From the opening whistle, Cruizers were eager to show that they weren’t afraid go on the attack. Ayoup Bader had the first chance of the match in the 5th minute, but he was ruled to be offside.
Two minutes later, El Farolito nearly scored on a soft lob by Erik Armas, but goalkeeper Edwin Monterrosa was able to redirect the ball over the end line for a corner. On the subsequent corner kick, there was a momentary confusion as the ball got loose in the box, but Monterrosa was eventually able to settle everything down.
Monterrosa also stopped a shot by Farolito’s Jesus Martinez in the 17th minute. Less than a minute later, Cruizers’ Javier Guerrero quickly countered with a dangerous looking shot that sailed over the crossbar.
But the match remained scoreless until the 42nd minute, when newcomer Luiz Da Silva finally broke the goal drought on a rebound in the box.
Farolito Finds Their Familiar Rhythm Early in the Second Half
As the match went on, Farolito started pushing more players forward. In the 58th minute, Monterrosa made a series of saves on shots from several Farolito players.
El Farolito goalkeeper Julian Escobar made his toughest save in the 59th minute, going to ground to direct the ball safely behind the end line.
Dembor Takes Over in Waning Minutes of Second Half
When Farolito broke through again, it came as no surprise that Dembor Benson was right in the middle of the action. Benson leads the current NPSL Golden Boot standings, with 13 goals in 9 matches.
Farolito’s second goal of the game came in the 62nd minute, on a free kick by Gabriel Arias that was lobbed into a crowd of players in the box. A Farolito player emerged from the crowd and tipped the ball over to Dembor, who headed it into the net.
Even with a two-goal deficit, Cruizers still had scattered chances to get back in the game.
A Cruizer cross found Julius Herzog in the 69th minute, but his shot attempt sailed over the bar.
In the 73rd minute, José Perez dribbled his way to the edge of the box, and was taken down by a Farolito defender. The subsequent free kick was on target, but Escobar made the save.
Dembor put the match completely out of reach in the second minute of stoppage time, as Farolito players mounted a quick counterattack that went ended with Dembor poking away at the ball until it ended up in the back of the net..
After the game, Coach Lopez talked about the problems that clubs with prolific offenses sometimes face..
“I think overall, everybody wants things very easily. And whenever the players end up, you know, not executing the things in the way or things don’t come out the way they want them to, it’s normal that there’s frustration, but that’s part of my job to keep them focused, and just keep doing and and be focused on what they need to do.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Both El Farolito and Cruizers will travel to Farmington, Utah June 26-28 in hopes of qualifying for the USASA Amateur Cup from Region IV (West). Twelve men’s teams from five states will compete in hopes of eventually being crowned as the best amateur club in the U.S. El Farolito also won this championship last year, which ensured them a berth in the U.S. Open Cup.
El Farolito’s first opponent in the tournament is Sun City FC of El Paso, Texas, a first-year member of the NPSL. Farolito beat them on May 28 at Kezar Stadium by a score of 3-2.
“Yeah, the NPSL was invited to participate there, and we’ll take advantage of the opportunity to play El Paso, the second leg against them next Friday.” Lopez said. “Being there in Utah, we’re gonna play the regional and try to win Region 4 and be able to qualify to the national semi-final for the Amateur Cup.”
In addition to the Sun City match, Farolito is scheduled to play a couple of other clubs next weekend: Olympique Montreux of Utah and Peak XI FC of Colorado.
Sun City will also play Cruizers FC and Vacaville Elite next weekend to ensure that each of these clubs meet the10 match requirements for participating for the NPSL playoffs and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
NPSL has not yet announced their playoff dates, but they will likely begin some time in early July.
