Herlbert Soto was the man of the match for El Farolito in their 3-0 win over Duluth FC on a foggy Saturday night at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
Farolito Grabs Early First Half Lead
Soto’s first goal came in the sixth minute and not only staked the home side to the lead but also showed off his creativity.
The Colombian midfielder received a pass in the box, lifted the ball into the air with his foot, and took the man marking him and the goalkeeper by surprise, enabling Soto to tap the ball into the net.
The goal was a notable highlight from a first half in which both sides proceeded cautiously.
From the opening whistle, Farolito dominated the possession, while Duluth settled for searching for a few counter attacking opportunities, most of which did not pose a serious challenge to Farolito goalkeeper Julian Escobar.
In the 32nd minute, Duluth’s goalkeeper, Augustin Warnod, went down after a collision with a Farolito attacker, but after a few minutes, it was determined that he was able to stay in the game.
Second Half Changes
At halftime, El Farolito made significant adjustments as they sought to put the match away. Head Coach Santiago Lopez explained why in a post-match interview.
“I noticed a bit of their weakness in defense. The first half we had a lot of the possession on their back line, and we knew that they were going to sit back and counter, and that they were extremely dangerous with possession. We knew that. So we were just trying to keep more sequences and hold on the ball longer. Just short passes, being patient, and then the second half because they were just playing a little bit more direct with the wind against, I guess they came out a little bit more nervous, and they were playing long balls.
“We were winning those second balls and our possession was more on the midfield and up top. And that definitely put more pressure on them to not go up the field. They wouldn’t be able to pressure us. I guess the wind here is complicated, and playing long ball is not likely to be successful.
“The first half was mostly always trying to bet on Soto on the left side and then Jesus Martinez overlapping, and that was causing some good situations with Sacre being able to do the third man run there.
“Second half, I just told them we need to play more on the right side. And, if it was in a very clean build-up, we should go long to Valdivia and Dembor. That actually worked out with the wind in our favor, plus their fatigue. They were trying to get some strength in the first 15 minutes, but I’m very happy that the team pulled off another goal.”
Second Half Flurry Ends Duluth’s Season
As the second half went on, Farolito went on the attack, beginning in the 55th minute, when Soto set up Jesus Martinez for an opportunity that sailed over the bar.
Less than a minute later, Dembor beat his defender to the ball, but Warnod rushed out to the edge of the penalty area to knock the ball away.
Shortly thereafter, Kipre Sacre had a chance, but Warnod was there again to swat it away.
Farolito finally got the second goal in the 59th minute, when Gabriel Arias fed the ball to Soto for the finish.
In the 73rd minute, Warnod made his best save of the match to leave the margin at 2.
In the 75th minute, Duluth defender Josef Wilson received a yellow card for bumping into Escobar.
Dembor Benson put the match away for good with his goal in the 80th minute.
The “Weekend of Death”
El Farolito is currently entered in two tournaments that will enable them to achieve one of their most treasured goals: an invitation to the 2027 U.S. Open Cup.
The first of these tournaments is the NPSL playoffs and the second is 2026 USASA National Amateur Cup. Next weekend, the Burrito Boys will separate into two separate teams. One of these teams will spend the weekend in Milwaukee seeking the cup on Friday and (hopefully Sunday), while the other will play at Kezar Stadium in the NPSL semifinal on Saturday night at Kezar Stadium.
“This is the first time I’ve ever done this, and we’re looking forward to seeing if we’re doing something right or wrong,” Lopez said. “We’re going to take the majority of this group to Milwaukee and then another group that we’ve been training with for the San Francisco league [SFSFL], and you know, the reserves of this as well, they’re going to be staying here for the national semifinal against Ambassadors FC Ohio. So we’re going to try and prepare that group as much as we can.
“We’re up against a very tough test of hopefully competing at three important matches in one weekend. First, we have to win Friday [vs. Chicago House Athletic Club]. And then win the final [vs. Lansdowne Yonkers FC or Tar Devils SC]. Hopefully, we win the final in Milwaukee and then rest up with the national semifinal here. I’m gonna be over there. Jose Mendoza is one of our assistant coaches. He’s going to stay here. And with one another staff of equipment, and then we’re taking the other assistant and goalkeeper coach, another staff, and myself. We’re going to be traveling with 19 players to Milwaukee, and we’re going to be staying here with 17 players.”
El Farolito have spent the entire season preparing for this moment. Soon we will know for sure.
