By Joe Chatz/NPSL.com
El Farolito represented the NPSL well in the USASA National Amateur Cup Semifinal as they controlled the run of play en route to a 2-0 win over a Chicago House Athletic Club side that was reduced to ten men in the match’s final moments.
El Farolito, who compete in the NPSL’s Golden Gate Conference, dominated their opponents who compete in the Midwest Premier League in their Friday contest at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Goals from El Farolito’s Omar Lemus and Dembor Benson on each side of halftime was all that El Farolito needed to secure their spot in the USASA National Amateur Cup Final on Saturday against Lansdowne Yonkers FC.
It was clear El Farolito was the stronger side from kickoff and they began pressuring Chicago House’s backline from early on, though they weren’t able to test the target more than a handful of times throughout the semifinal. The California-based side had a few chances in the opening minutes that didn’t hit the target, but they finally broke through after some nifty passing in Chicago’s penalty area.
Omar Lemus had the ball on the right wing and played it to El Farolito captain Dembor Benson near the endline. Benson held up play long enough for Lemus to make a run near the goal where he turned the feed from Benson through the Chicago House goalkeeper’s legs and into the net to give El Farolito the 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
After hardly giving away possession in the opening 30 minutes, El Farolito had a moment without the ball but turned it into a great chance. Adrian Guzman Jr. stole the ball in the attacking third and was taken down by the Chicago House center back 21 yards from goal. The referee assessed a yellow card and the free kick, which was subsequently dealt with.
El Farolito came out firing after halftime and were inches away from scoring 20 seconds after the break but House goalkeeper Ryan Grady made a fingertip save to deny Benson’s effort.
El Farolito sealed their spot in the National Amateur Cup Final, and it was Benson who got the final goal. Jonatan Valdivia whipped in a cross from the left wing in the 71st minute that created chaos in front of Chicago’s net, allowing Benson to get in position to bundle the ball over the goalline to give El Farolito the 2-0 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Chicago House went down to ten men in the 85th minute after Cesar Murillo was assessed a red card, paving the way for El Farolito to secure the win and their spot in Saturday afternoon’s final.
El Farolito’s coaching staff was thrilled to get the win but acknowledged the team could have done more offensively against Chicago House.
“We started off very well pressing them,” El Farolito head coach Santiago Lopez said after the match. “They couldn’t come out of their half. I believe they only had two shots the entire game. We should have put in at least one more before halftime but we were more relaxed and able to make those subs to save players for tomorrow. Fortunately, the game was controlled and we were able to manage and have some people recovered for tomorrow, and then we have other players waiting as well that are ready for tomorrow.”
While his defense wasn’t tested more than a few times by Chicago House, Lopez was encouraged to see his group holding down the fort when they were called upon.
“The whole entire season we’ve been working with the same group,” Lopez continued. “The ones who come in as well are trying to maintain the same level as them. So, there’s a lot of communication. We hope that tomorrow we can keep that solid line back there with zero goals against.”
El Farolito were the winners and controlled the run of play but Lopez wasn’t content with only scoring twice against Chicago House given how much his side had the ball.
“I said it at halftime,” Lopez added. “I was furious at the situation because we need to rest players as much as we can and manage the game. But, hey, the most important thing is nobody’s hurt and everybody wants to play tomorrow, so we’re just gonna go eat, rest, and get going.”
El Farolito will be back in action on July 25 for a doubleheader of soccer in Milwaukee. They will first take on Great Lakes Conference side Ambassadors FC Ohio in the NPSL National Semifinals at 11:00 am CT before competing for a spot in the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when they take Lansdowne Yonkers FC at 4:00 pm CT.
Photo Credit: Michael Miller/NPSL.com
