Houston Lions FC Survive Late Aurora FC Surge to Advance in U.S. Open Cup
(image via Aldo Canale)
Even before a champion is crowned in the 2026 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the 2027 edition kicked off in the Space City this past weekend. Aurora FC, representing the Houston Football Association (HFA), hosted Houston Lions FC, from U.S. Soccer League Texas (USSL), in front of 60+ fans who made the trek from all corners of the city even with dark clouds of rain looming and approaching on the horizon.
The game in favor of Houston Lions FC, who found the back of the net in the 5th minute of the game. Number 17, Bringsluck Nche, picked up his head after receiving a pass, and from about 35 yards out saw the Aurora FC goalkeeper, Josue Alvarez, leaning towards once side of his goal. Nche decided to hit a low shot to the opposite side of the goalkeeper who, even stretching with all he had, wasn’t able to get a touch on the ball. It found the back of the net to get the Lions on top early on.
Alvarez was put to work in the minutes following that goal, as midfielder David Perez, the number 10, had a dangerous header from right outside the six yard box. Subsequently, Bringsluck Nche had another chance to add to his personal count but Alvarez came up big to deny both chances.
Aurora FC hd a chance of their own in the 30th minute, when a low cross came form the left side to Kingsley Ezejiofor for a simple tap in. But, out of nowhere, goalkeeper for the Lions Cristo Gayoso, made a goal saving slide that seemed right out of a movie to get a touch on the ball and keep it out. That play didn’t stop there. The rebound ended up again the feet of Ezejiofor, and he tried to chip it over Gayoso, but that ball was slightly wide to get the equalizer.
A couple of minutes later, in the 34th minute, Lions had a free kick right outside the box. Jovany Garcia was in charge to put the ball into the box, where Ronald Aguilar got a flick on it and the ball bounced out off the back post. Houston Lions looked like their second goal of the night was a real possibility.
As the first half was coming to an end, a free kick was given to Aurora FC. Ezejiofor towered over everyone and sent the ball towards goal. It rolled out only inches from frame. Right before the halftime whistle, Lions had one more chance with Nche, who stole the ball from the Aurora defense but wasn’t able to put the ball on frame.
The second half started on the front foot for Aurora FC, because a tough tackle by Aliu Ali made the match referee Melvin Rivas reach into his back pocket and pull out his red card to be shown to the Aurora FC man. Aurora FC would have to play with 10 from the 49th minute on.
Just when it seemed that Aurora FC was close to an equalizer, a beautiful thru ball by Christopher Cruz led to a great Houston Lions FC counter attack. Ulises Aguilera was put in a one v one situation against the Aurora FC goalkeeper. Aguilera leaned towards the right side of the goal nut Aguilera sent the ball low to the left side and in to the back of the net to make the game 2-0 for Houston Lions FC in the 66th minute of the match.
A 2 to 0 scoreline and a man down could seem like the end for many teams, but there was still lot of game to be played. In the 73th minute, Ayomide Salako had a great opportunity on goal but goalkeeper Gayoso came up huge to keep his goal scoreless once again.
Brandon Delaney had the potential third goal for Lions, but his shot slightly went wide. Both teams continued to trade punches and Aurora FC didn’t have any luck, until finally they got their break.
Aurora FC pressured high on a goal kick and won the ball inside the Lions’ box. A quick pass ended up at Cyrus Harmon’s feet and he found the long awaited goal that would make Aurora believe in a comeback with only 8 minutes to play plus added time.
Aurora FC did have back to back opportunities for an equalizer. The first came at the feet off Abu Kamara as his shot from outside the box took a slight deflection but Gayoso ultimately sent the ball wide for a corner kick. The second opportunity came from an acrobatic scissor kick from inside the box by Francisco Hernandez. Once again, Gayoso appeared from what felt like thin air to save that attempt by Aurora FC.
Aurora had yet another chance to tie the match, this time from a free kick. Just when the ball looked as it was going into the upper 90 and Aurora FC could dream of the prefect comeback in this fairy tale of a soccer match, once again Gayoso appeared, like a villain in that fairy tale, to push the ball out for yet another corner kick.
Late in the match Aurora FC continued their push at the eaqualizer with another free kick outside the box that ultimately amounted to nothing. As a result of a scuffle that sprouted out of that attempt, both Ayomide Salko of Aurora FC and goalkeeper Gayoso, who was looking like the man of the match for Houston Lions FC, received red cards.
Even with late drama, the match finished with a Houston Lions FC victory of 2 goals to 1 over Aurora FC. Houston Lions FC claimed the win and now moves to the next round of the 2027 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, where the dream continues.
