Republic FC Begins 2026 Open Cup Run Against El Farolito
First Round of the 2026 U.S. Open Cup comes to Heart Health Park on March 18
When Sacramento Republic FC opens its 2026 U.S. Open Cup campaign, the challenge will be a familiar—and far from straightforward—one. For the second consecutive year, Republic FC will host El Farolito FC, an amateur side that has carved out a reputation as one of the most dangerous lower-division teams in the country.
The First Round matchup is set for Wednesday, March 18, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Heart Health Park. While the gulf between professional and amateur soccer often suggests a routine evening, El Farolito’s Open Cup history tells a very different story.
A Giant-Killer With Deep Open Cup Roots
Based in San Francisco and affectionately nicknamed “The Burrito Boys,” El Farolito has become a household name within Open Cup circles. The club was the Open Division’s top finisher in both 2023 and 2024, consistently navigating the early rounds and proving capable of matching up with fully professional opponents.
Their pedigree predates the modern era, too. El Farolito famously won the Open Cup in 1993—before the introduction of Major League Soccer clubs—cementing their place in tournament history. That legacy, combined with recent success, has made them one of the most respected amateur teams in the country.
This will not be the first time these two sides have shared the field. Republic FC and El Farolito met in the Third Round of last year’s competition, a tightly contested affair that Sacramento edged 1–0 to advance to the Round of 32. That narrow margin serves as a reminder of how thin the line can be in Open Cup play, where intensity and belief often neutralize differences in budget or league status.
Republic FC’s Open Cup Standard
For Sacramento, the Open Cup is more than a midweek distraction—it’s part of the club’s identity. As one of the top finishers in the USL Championship last season, Republic FC qualified for the 111th edition of the tournament and will once again aim to add to an already impressive résumé.
The Indomitable Club has appeared in every Open Cup since its inaugural season and remains the only second-division side to reach the National Championship Final since 2008, highlighted by a memorable 2022 run that included victories over three MLS opponents. Since 2014, Sacramento’s 23 Open Cup wins are the most by any club in the competition.
A Respectful but Serious Test
While Republic FC enters as the clear favorite, El Farolito’s history ensures this is a matchup that demands full focus from the opening whistle. For Sacramento, it’s an opportunity to set the tone for another Open Cup run. For El Farolito, it’s another chance to remind the country why their name carries weight.
In the U.S. Open Cup, reputations are earned—not assumed—and March 18 promises a compelling early chapter in the 2026 edition of America’s oldest soccer competition.
