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Second-year NPSL side Hickory FC held off a late scare from Ristozi FC in the NPSL National Semifinals last week to advance to the NPSL National Championship this Saturday. The South Region champions will face off against defending NPSL National Champions El Farolito at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco for the NPSL title.
“It’s pretty surreal”, said forward Antonio Pineda of the opportunity to compete for the NPSL National Championship. “Obviously, at the beginning of the season, you have a lot of goals, and one of them was going all the way to the National Championship. I think it just shows all of the hard work that we put through throughout the season, and to actually be in this position that we are now, I think it’s unbelievable.”
“It’s something since day one, since all the guys showed up, that’s something that we wanted to do. Credit to Hickory [FC] in only their second year. Being able to do this in the second year for them is pretty huge. I think everybody’s excited and looking forward to competing in that stage.”
Pineda, who was named the Select 2025 NPSL Golden Ball along with the Capelli Sport 2025 NPSL Conference MVP title for the Southeast Conference, scored seven goals in regular season play after an undefeated regular season campaign for Hickory FC.
“It means a lot,” he said of the honors. “I didn’t really expect much of it, to be honest. I just really cared about winning and being able to be in the position that we are [in]. To me, getting those awards just shows credit to my teammates and coaching staff, and everybody that has to do with Hickory FC, up to the owners and the fans. All credit goes to those guys; without them, I wouldn’t have gotten those awards.
While Pineda is happy, he knows that there is more to come for the club.
“To me, it’s great that we’re getting those awards, but at the end of the day, the goal is to win the whole thing. It’s nice to get rewarded, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Led by NPSL Coach of the Season, Carlos Rubio, Hickory FC returned to form in 2025 after a successful inaugural 2024 season, clinching a second consecutive Southeast Conference title.
“I think every player holds each other accountable here,” Pineda said of the team’s strategy in matches. “I don’t think we let anybody slack off. One thing we really crave is not just playing for 45 minutes; we try to show out for 90 minutes.”
Throughout the season, the Hickory community has embraced the club, regularly showing out in numbers to Moretz Stadium for regular season and playoff action. Pineda applauded the fans and their continued support for the club’s success.
“The biggest thing that has been for us this season is not just for us, but for the community of Hickory. It’s incredible. I think the guys see that, and especially coming from college, you don’t get that same support. To think that while it might be the NPSL, we’re bringing in 5,000 fans, it’s insane.”
“I think everybody dreams of playing in front of crowds like that, especially here in the U.S. where soccer is not the main sport. I think everybody gets a little more motivated [and] gets a little extra out of it to go and not just show out for themselves but show out for the community and let them know that we’re here, what we’re about and that’s there’s more to come for the future – not just a couple of games.
“There’s a reason we’re in the national championship, and it’s because of them. They played a huge factor for it.”
Saturday’s NPSL National Championship match will see Hickory FC take on the West Region champion El Farolito. With a victory, the Golden Gate Conference side would become the second team in league history to repeat as title winners, following the Miami FC organization’s consecutive titles in 2018 as Miami FC 2 and 2019 as Miami FC. Importantly, both Hickory FC and El Farolito will enter the NPSL National Championship match undefeated in league play, leading to a high-stakes showdown for both sides.
“They’re number one in the nation for a reason,” Pineda said of El Farolito. “They won it all last year, [and are] undefeated this year as well. There’s a reason they’re in the position they are, and a reason they’re back in the final. We’re familiar with them; I’m familiar with them as well with their [Lamar Hunt U.S.] Open Cup runs. We know what kind of team they have behind them. They’re upsetting teams in the higher divisions, they’re competing year-in, year-out.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for all of us going [there]. We know what they’re capable of and what kind of players they have. We know it’s going to take our 110 percent to beat them, but Hickory [FC] has quality players as well. I think we’re up there with them.”
“They have the title and they’re looking to keep it, but we’re as hungry to bring it home to Hickory, to the community and to the fans. It’s not going to be easy for them, and it’s not going to be easy for us, but I think we’re all excited for the opportunity. Not many people get to play in the final, and it’s hard to get to a final. I think that’s what’s gotten us there, and what’s going to keep us there. Hopefully we’ll come out of it the right way that night.”
Photo Credit: Ernie Masche/NPSL.com
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