SAN FRANCISCO — Duluth FC didn't have enough postseason magic left in the tank to get through a trip to the West Coast, as El Farolito claimed a confident 3-0 victory in a National Premier Soccer League national semifinal at Kezar Stadium.
The BlueGreens won three road playoff games in three states to get to the national semis for the second time in club history. El Farolito, named after a local San Francisco burrito chain, reached the third round of the US Open Cup and eliminated two professional teams in the process.
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Playing at the renovated original home of the San Francisco 49ers, the hosts took the lead early as Jonathan Valdivia blasted a long shot into the net in the ninth minute of play. Gabriel Arias added a second goal on another long shot in the 32nd minute.
Duluth FC struggled to dictate terms but had two golden chances on Liam Pritchard breakways late in the first half. Unfortunately for the BlueGreens, Pritchard was expertly stripped from behind by the Farolito defense on the first attempt and goalkeeper Johan Lizarralde made a point-blank save on the other.
The BlueGreens couldn't solve El Farolito in the second half before giving up a late goal by Arias to seal it.
El Farolito will meet FC Motown of New Jersey for the NPSL national championship next weekend.
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