Real Monarchs face U.S. Open Cup giant killers El Farolito in first-round battle

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The magic of the U.S. Open Cup returns to Zions Bank Stadium on Wednesday night as Real Monarchs kick off their tournament campaign against last year’s Cinderella story, El Farolito SC. The single-elimination format means there’s no margin for error— win, or go home.

Since its inception in 1913-14, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has been a proving ground where any team can challenge the country’s best. The tournament welcomes clubs from all levels of American soccer, from amateur squads to 2nd and 3rd Division Clubs to MLS giants, creating the potential for stunning upsets along the way.

Monarchs Head Coach Mark Lowry understands both the stakes and the opportunity ahead.

“It’s a very serious tournament for the club,” Lowry said. “We want to go as far as possible. It’s not just about a trophy — for these guys, it’s about proving they’re ready for the next level. What better way to do that than competing against MLS teams?”

But first, they have to get past El Farolito SC, a club with a history of Open Cup upsets and a championship pedigree.

Hailing from San Francisco, California, El Farolito SC isn’t your typical underdog. They won the 1993 U.S. Open Cup under their previous name: Club Deportivo Mexico. The club, now named after its owner’s restaurant chain, has built a reputation for punching above its weight in this competition.

Last year, El Farolito stunned Portland Timbers affiliate Timbers 2 on the road before eliminating Central Valley Fuego, coached by former USMNT international Jermaine Jones. Their run ended in heartbreak, falling to USL Championship side Oakland Roots in the third round on an injury-time goal — after playing most of the second half down a man.

Lowry knows his team can’t afford to overlook their opponents.

“They’re a team that’s beaten pro teams before,” he said. “They’ve got a little bit of a story with this competition from previous years. It’s not going to be an easy game. A lot of them have played professionally in the past, and that experience counts. Our boys have to be ready for a real battle.”

Historically, Real Salt Lake has fielded a mix of RSL and Monarchs players in the early rounds of the tournament. Last season, the lineup was primarily composed of RSL first-teamers. This year, however, it’s the Monarchs alone who will represent the organization, giving young players a chance to prove themselves on a national stage.

The Monarchs enter the match with momentum, fresh off a 3-2 victory over Timbers 2 on Saturday. However, they’ll be without two key contributors — forward Xavier Gozo and midfielder Aiden Hezrakhani, both called up for U.S. Youth National Team duty. Hezrakhani, in particular, had a standout performance against Portland, scoring two goals and an assist.

The absence of key players puts added pressure on the Monarchs’ depth, but center-back Zack Farnworth says the team is ready for the challenge.

“We invite that pressure,” Farnworth said after Tuesday’s training session. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing against as long as we have our brothers next to us and we fight for each other. It’s about trusting the work we’ve put in since day one of preseason — and being ready for battle.”

With a spot in the next round on the line, the Monarchs will need to be sharp, disciplined, and ready for a physical fight against an opponent that has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

All U.S. Open Cup matches will be streamed on the U.S. Soccer YouTube Channel and fans can find direct links here for first-round matches. Tickets for Real Monarchs vs Farolito will be available at the Zions Bank Stadium ticket windows for just $5 each and the match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. MT.

For more Real Monarchs Open Cup coverage, check out the Royal Riot Podcast, available on all major streaming platforms.