A contentious U.S. Open Cup match boiled over Wednesday night, as players fought on the pitch and some entered the stands to confront fans.
The first-round match between amateur side El Farolito and USL Championship team Sacramento Republic was scoreless at the end of regulation. Republic striker Forster Ajago scored twice in extra time, giving the home side a 2-0 victory.
Tempers flared after Ajago scored his second goal.
“They came to mock us after the goal,” El Farolito coach Santiago López said, according to San Francisco news site Mission Local.
After a Sacramento player taunted the El Farolito bench, a brawl ensued on the field involving almost every player and coach from both teams.
Referees gave two players red cards, El Farolito’s Jhohann Yabur and Sacramento’s Mark-Anthony Kaye, before it appeared things calmed down.
But in an instant (which can be seen at around the 5:45 mark of the video below), multiple El Farolito players went charging into the stands at Heart Health Park.
Players confronted fans and one player threw a water bottle, while others went to friends and family to protect them.
U.S. Soccer did not immediately respond to request for comment. Based on similar past incidents, U.S. Soccer will likely review footage of the incident to determine if further suspensions are warranted.
Sacramento will learn its opponent for the Open Cup second round during the draw on Friday. Second round matches are scheduled for March 31 and April 1.
U.S. Open Cup opener in Sacramento turns ugly tonight following the Republic FC’s second goal of the game, ends up a 2-0 victory over El Farolito.
The match, with the postgame melee, had 13 misconducts, 3 ejections. El Farolito players going after fans in the stands after. pic.twitter.com/LD0gt58mEr
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) March 19, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sacramento Republic FC vs El Farolito: Players fight after US Open Cup
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