Venue Location: Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California. This soccer-specific venue (capacity ~11,000) serves as Sacramento Republic FC’s home ground and will host the match under lights in a classic Open Cup atmosphere with strong local support.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PT (10:00 p.m. ET). The game is part of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round (professional vs. amateur/open-division single-elimination matchup) and will stream live on YouTube (U.S. Soccer official channel). Gates typically open 60–90 minutes prior.
Weather Updates: Mild, comfortable evening conditions are forecast for kickoff in Sacramento. Temperatures will drop to around 50–55°F (10–13°C) by 7:00 p.m. PT with light winds (2–6 mph variable), humidity near 50–60%, and low chance of precipitation (0–20%). Skies should remain mostly clear to partly cloudy. No weather delays or alerts expected—ideal for soccer but fans should dress in layers for the cool night.
Injury Report:
- Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship): No major injuries reported heading into the match. The squad is at or near full strength with key veterans and new signings (including Mark-Anthony Kaye) available following early-season league results.
- El Farolito SC (NPSL): As an amateur side, no formal injury reports are issued. Captain Jonathan Mosquera (missed the 2025 matchup due to injury) is back and available. The roster appears healthy despite some offseason departures.
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Player Matchups (Key Battles):
Sacramento’s professional depth, experience, and attacking quality should dominate most individual duels against El Farolito’s amateur/NPSL talent, though set pieces and counters could offer brief threats.
- GK (Sacramento – likely Danny Vitiello or current starter) vs. El Farolito forwards (Dembor Bengtson – last year’s top scorer, Nicolás Barrera): Sacramento’s pro-level keeper and backline (Lee Desmond, Jack Gurr, Ryan Spaulding) should neutralize amateur finishing comfortably.
- Defensive core (Desmond + Gurr + others) vs. El Farolito midfield/attack: Built for USL Championship physicality and transitions.
- Midfield creators (Mark-Anthony Kaye – new signing, Memo Rodriguez) vs. El Farolito defensive unit (Herlbert Soto, new Colombians Felipe Ávila, Sergio Villarreal, Jerson Malagón, Pedro Valoyes): Kaye and Rodriguez bring vision and energy to control the center.
- Forwards (Sacramento attacking unit) vs. El Farolito backline: Pace and finishing will test an unproven amateur defense; expect set-piece and transition dominance.
Expected Sacramento lineup (typical 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 pro setup): Pro depth anchored by veterans and recent signings like Kaye. El Farolito (coach Santiago López) relies on Bengtson, Mosquera (captain), Soto, and the new Colombian contingent for upset magic.
Recent Team Forms:
- Sacramento Republic FC: Solid—W (2-0 vs. Tulsa) then D (0-0 vs. Lexington). Aggressive style carrying over; home dominance at Heart Health Park evident.
- El Farolito SC: Sharp in qualifying and limited preseason (including recent wins); offensively capable in amateur ranks but facing a massive step-up. New roster additions still gelling.
Series History:
Rematch of the 2025 Third Round (at the same venue): Sacramento won 1-0 (Sebastián Herrera header 29’; 13 yellow cards issued). This is only the second meeting. In broader Open Cup context, USL Championship pros hosting NPSL teams advance at ~85–90% historically in similar mismatches. Sacramento has advanced from the First Round in every recent campaign.
Betting Trends:
Div. II pros hosting NPSL/Open Division amateurs in First Round favor the home side at 85–90% (often by 2+ goals). Sacramento’s home Open Cup record (20+ wins since 2014), early 2026 form, and 2025 rematch victory reinforce the pattern. Goal totals trend over when pros push forward; unders possible if they control early. El Farolito’s qualifying momentum and 1993 championship history contrast with the quality gap—trends point to comfortable home wins or clean sheets in comparable games.
MATCH ODDS
El Farolito SC + 1200
Sacramento Republic FC – 140
Draw + 600
Over 2.5 – 165 Under 2.5 + 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 17, 2026
