This team refuses to quit.
Deportivo Rose City pulled off another jaw-dropping win last night, defeating Oakland FC 2-1 in a heart-pounding quarterfinal match that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second. With this win, La Rosa officially books a place in the UPSL National Semifinals—the biggest stage they’ve ever reached.
Let that sink in: our team from Portland, built on grit and community pride, is now one win away from the UPSL Final. Unreal.
🔥 First Half: Fire and Focus
Right from kickoff, you could feel the energy. Oakland came in physical and fast, but Rose City matched them step for step, never backing down. In the 18th minute, Jesús A. Olivar curled in a beautiful free kick from just outside the box—an absolute banger that left the opposing keeper frozen. 1–0, and the place erupted.
But just before halftime, Oakland equalized on a messy rebound, and suddenly the tension was thick. Both sides went into the break tied, but you could see the fire still burning in our boys’ eyes.
💥 Second Half: Heart Over Hype
The second half was a grind. Tackles flying, cards flashing, and fans praying. Both teams had chances, but none found the back of the net… until minute 88, when Rose City showed the world what we’re made of.
Substitute winger Leo Sánchez, who’d just come on 10 minutes earlier, picked up a loose ball near the halfway line, sprinted past two defenders like a man on a mission, and delivered a low cross that David Espinoza smashed into the net like a cannon. 2–1. Pandemonium.
I swear, you could hear the roar across all of East Portland.
🧠 Tactical Genius
Let’s give a standing ovation to coach Sergio Medel and the entire coaching staff. The way they adjusted in the second half—pressing high, keeping the lines tight, and making bold substitutions—was nothing short of masterclass. This isn’t just passion; this is serious football IQ.
💬 “We’ve come this far because we believe. In each other, in our culture, and in the city,” said captain César Álvarez after the game.
And damn right, captain—we believe too.
🌹 One Step Away
The UPSL National Semifinal is now in sight, and our guys are locked in. No one thought a grassroots team from Portland could go this far—but we did. The entire Rose City community is behind them, and you better believe we’re riding this wave all the way to the final.
See you in the semis. Let’s make history.
Vamos, La Rosa. ¡Siempre adelante! 🌹💪