# @clubeleven on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C5Wexj6PlFQ
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/13854690-clubeleven-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/88958b3f39.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-04-04T19:27:08.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** CLUBELEVEN (@clubeleven) — https://gondola.cc/clubeleven

## Caption

El Farolito. The restaurant that’s captivated the nation with their cinderella Open Cup run gave us another moment of magic. Knocked off the Timbers II and now beat USL side Central Valley Fuego. But this Mexican spot has been doing this for decades. They won the Open Cup over 30 years ago, and now they’re back to cooking on the pitch once more. 

“Soccer has been a part of our lives every day,” says club manager Irene Lopez. She also runs the restaurant and bar when she’s not handling team operations. 

For head coach Santiago Lopez, it’s been a family affair. His dad “Don Chava” Lopez started the team back in 1985, just two years after opening up El Farolito Bar. He’d grown up watching Cruz Azul win titles in the ‘70s, and it’d always been his dream to start a club. He was new to the SF area, but once he made enough connections to put a squad together, and raised a bit of money himself, he didn’t hesitate to register his own club. Of course, it made sense to name it after his famous eatery, El Farolito. 

For decades, they’ve had plenty of success in their local leagues. And back in 1993, they captured the biggest title of all: the US Open Cup. The trophy still sits proudly in the dark interior of the bar. A reminder that big dreams backed by determination and drive, can lead you to success. They’ve shown that’s true in both soccer and in life. It’s quite beautiful that this talented El Farolito side is once again lighting the way for others who have big ambitions like them. Next round, the club will face its biggest test yet against the Oakland Roots, but they aren’t ready to wrap up quite yet. We’ll look to El Farolito to keep pointing the way. 

📸: stillfragments 

#elfarolito
#usopencup
#usaopencup
#2024soccer
#semiprosoccer 
#communitysoccer
#soccerphotos 
#sanfransoccer
#sfsoccer
#clubelevenmag

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 349
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 14

## Tags

clubelevenmag, usaopencup, elfarolito, sfsoccer, semiprosoccer, 2024soccer, sanfransoccer, soccerphotos, communitysoccer, usopencup

---
Copyright (c) Gondola