San Ramon Soccer Team Competing In National US Open Cup

SAN RAMON, CA — The San Ramon FC beat back dense fog and a powerful opponent Sunday to secure a spot in the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. This is the first time in the team’s more than 50-year history that it’s made it to the cup, which is the oldest and most prestigious in the country.

“I’m so very proud of this amazing group! This win was unbelievable and to share at home with the community was special. Our work isn’t complete, we look forward to the next challenge that awaits us,” Head Coach Bejan Esmaili told Patch in an email.

San Ramon FC was one of 16 amateur teams still in the running, selected from a record field of 145 hopefuls. They’ll know their next match after the New Year, after the professional teams have started playing, Esmaili said. Esmaili noted that the team will likely play professional teams like the Oakland Roots.

The 2026 Open Cup winner will earn a berth at the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy. The amateur team that advances the furthest will be eligible for a $50,000 cash bonus, a portion of which the team has voted to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Sunday’s match started inauspiciously with a free kick from The Olympic Club. Their fortunes improved later in the game when Roberto Gonzalez scored a free kick, and then Carver Jensen delivered the team a 2-1 victory.

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