El Farolito vs Monterey Bay FC
This 2025 season, we’ve made it one of our primary missions to cover as many US Open Cup games as possible. It’s the oldest and most historic competition in America, giving opportunities for lower-league teams to slay giants and for communities to be swept up in the excitement of what only a true open tournament can bring.
El Farolito has already raised the Open Cup trophy. Check the 1993 stat books or simply open the silverware cabinet at their flagship restaurant in San Francisco. It’s there…promise. This burrito chain/semi-pro club has nothing to prove, yet they’ve come out the past two years eager to swallow the whole world. Took everyone by storm last year with their string of spicy upsets in this cup, and they’ve just gone and done it again this year. Smoked an MLS Next Pro team in the first round and now carved up a USL Championship side for good measure. Brilliant. They were down for almost 60 minutes, then came back to stun the heavy favorites 2-1, right at the death. Said that’s a wrap and made a meal out of the celebrations. And who wouldn’t? They’re taking $50k home as the last surviving side from the open division. Still, that’s the last thing they’re after. Their true appetite is reserved for one thing and one thing only: Open Cup glory.
This is what photographers Irina Filenko and Hector Reyes had to say about the match:
What were some of the most notable things you saw in the stands or around the stadium in general?
Irina: I have always been intrigued by Cardinale Stadium, so I was super excited to finally have the opportunity to be there in person. There is something unique about the surrounding landscape. Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) surround the whole stadium and give it the coastal seaside feel. The contrast of light blue navy and white make the inside of the stadium pop. The stadium in itself isn’t big so it brings a very intimate and real "local" and energetic vibe.
Hector: The stadium wasn’t as full as we all would have liked. I did noticed something beautiful. El Farolito supporters were majority relatives of the players. They drove a couple of hours from San Francisco to Seaside to cheer on their team.
What was the atmosphere like?
Irina: It was a bit of a chilly and rainy day with gusts of wind, and even though the elements where a little harsh, it didn’t dampen the spirit of the fans, the smell of food from the taco truck nearby. The coffee/hot chocolate truck warmed everyone up.
Hector: It was a cold night in Seaside, California. Rain fell right before the half ended. Just like the battle on the field, the weather played a big part in setting the tone for the game. Hot drinks were definitely on demand from the moment fans walked in to the stadium.
How did the club you were covering experience this game? How did the players react? What about the fans?
Irina: The first half of the match felt like El Farolito was playing more on the defensive side.They had some opportunities but didn’t feel like they were playing in their usual way. In the locker room, at half time, one of the things that stood out was the coach reminding the players to not forget who they are, who they are playing for and that they are a family and together they are stronger. In the second half, the team went on the attacking side and put 2 goals to secure their victory ! The smiles and the reactions and the way this club celebrated with their families and their children on the pitch brought tears to my eyes. It was so wholesome.
Hector: The players and staff from El Farolito were great! They were friendly and opened their doors for us to document a small part of their soccer journey. The players didn’t mind the cameras. At the end of the match, they were excited to get their photos taken. For the most part, fans didn’t mind their photos being taken.
What approach/mindset did you go with to cover this game?
Irina: I approach every match as if it's the most important one. It's crucial for me that my photos capture a story, from the facial expressions to the movement of the muscles. I have an internal check list where I list the important things to cover and look for during the match.
Hector: My approach to covering the game was to make sure to cover the ambiance. Unfortunately, there weren’t many fans in the stands, so I had to change up my game plan a bit. I positioned myself in a good middle sweet spot on the second half, where I could get field action and crowd shots.
What was your favorite thing about the night? Describe it for someone who wasn’t there.
Irin: I love how El Farolito was so friendly and nice, from the head coach to the families of payers, it gave you that real tight family feel. After the win, the players celebrated with each other briefly and right after ran to their families and brought them on the pitch. From children, to wives to mothers and fathers they all celebrated with each other. Kids ran to different players who where not their fathers to give hugs, showing me how close this group is. The children knew each player personally. Another moment that was very special was when after all the celebrations died down, they all gathered in a tight circle to pray and thank God for the win and the experience.
Hector: My favorite part about the night was seeing the underdogs win. Seeing the joy of the players and their families post game. Their passion for the game was felt, and it was beautiful. Everyone that was there witnessed a roller coaster of emotions, from the weather, being down a goal at half, and winning it in the final 10 minutes.
Why is the Open Cup important to you?
Irina: I absolutely love Open Cup. I love how it brings different levels of play in one tournament and give the amateur teams a chance to shine. A chance to play at a bigger stadium, with a bigger crowd. The Open Cup just has a short of magic about itself. It gives you a chance to believe and a chance to showcase your amazing talent against clubs from all over the pyramid.
During the game, I overheard a fan comment about how a team that plays at a local park is now here competing in a real stadium. And once again, it's the magic of the Open Cup—the only tournament that makes this possible. It's a chance for a team with players who have full-time jobs, limited practice time, and few opportunities to play in a real stadium to experience the thrill of performing in front of hundreds of fans.
Hector: The Open Cup is important to me because soccer is the beautiful game. It allows many teams from across all levels to compete for a cup. Script writers would kill to write a story like El Farolito’s. We all witnessed true underdog stories on this tournament.
