2026 Open Cup Round 1: Sacramento Republic FC 2 El Farolito 0
For second-consecutive year, Republic FC eliminate El Farolito in a heated match.
Behind an extra time brace from Sacramento Republic FC forward Forster Ajago, the Quails defeated 1993 Open Cup champion El Farolito 2-0 Wednesday night in Round 1 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. With the win, Republic FC move their home record to 21-3-1 all-time at home and punch their ticket to Round 2.
To say the match was chippy would be an understatement. To give some perspective, there were 10 yellow cards and THREE red cards. We’ll get into the mayhem that led to those red cards momentarily.
Throughout the match, it was whistle after whistle, which made it hard for either team to really get into any flow. Playing physical and trying to disrupt Republic FC certainly seemed like the game plan from the visitors.
“There is a lot to digest about that [match], but I think the biggest thing is we’re through to the next round, said Republic FC Manager Neill Collins. “You didn’t want to have extra time, but we managed to see that through.”
With few chances from either side across the first 90 minutes, in the 95th minute, it was Ajago who headed home a beautiful cross from Dominik Wanner on the left side of the pitch to give Republic FC a 1-0 lead.
In the 102nd minute, the referee issued a straight red card to El Farolito midfielder Kipre Sacre on a dangerous tackle near the half line, which put “The Burrito Boys” down a man for the remainder of the match.
Twenty minutes later (122nd minute), Ajago secured his brace when he stepped in front of El Farolito goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez and blocked his attempted clearance. The deflected ball found its way behind Gonzalez and trickled into the net.
Following the goal, a scuffle broke out on the field between players, which took roughly 10 minutes to sort out. The second goal was the breaking point in a match that had been physical all night, and you kind of felt something was going to happen. In the end, red cards were given to the Republic’s Mark-Anthony Kaye and El Farolito’s Jhohann Yabur in the 127th minute, and fortunately, the referee decided to blow the final whistle.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, but I think this is a big experience for some of our players,” continued Collins. “These tests will always bring us closer together, make us stronger, and we’ll be better for it, no question. Especially when you’re able to come through it with the win.”
Republic FC will find out who they will play in Round 2 of the Open Cup via a draw by U.S. Soccer this Friday. The match will either be on March 31 or April 1.