A Fiery Battle: Atlético Buford Tops Pachuca in Heated Clash
UPSL Premier – Georgia Zone 1 | Pinecrest Academy, Cumming Sunday, Sept. 8 | Kickoff: 5:00 PM | 82°F, Sunny
In their second match of the UPSL Premier Georgia Zone 1 season, Atlético Buford FC topped Filial Pachuca Georgia 2–1 in an emotionally charged showdown on Sunday evening. The win extends Buford’s unbeaten start while Pachuca continues to search for their first victory.
Coming off a statement 8–3 rout of Kalonji Pro Profile, Buford entered Sunday’s match with confidence. Their performance may have been less explosive this time, but it was no less assertive. Pachuca meanwhile had drawn 0–0 with Georgia Impact in their opener and looked eager to make an impression against a formidable opponent.
They didn’t waste time trying. Just two minutes in, Buford’s Cristian Suazo took advantage of an advantage call and slotted a low clinical finish across goal, stunning the defense and energizing the bench. The opening stretch saw breakneck pace, corner kicks, and end to end action as both teams pressed with urgency.
Buford controlled possession through much of the first half, carving out chances with slick through balls and vertical play. Their fast fearless wingers stretched the field effectively. Pachuca however responded with wide attacks and high tempo, though they struggled to generate a consistent presence through the middle.
Their best chance came in the 40th minute, when a penalty was awarded following a reckless challenge in the box. But Buford’s goalkeeper came up big, diving to make a confident stop. “Feels good,” he said post match. “Just giving that confidence to the team you know?”
The second half opened with rising tension and more drama. Just after the restart, a contentious foul sparked arguments between players and referees. Yellow cards were issued to a Pachuca player and both head coach Ricardo Montoya and assistant Raul M., who were cautioned for dissent.
Buford then struck again in the 52nd minute, with Suazo bagging his second goal of the night, this time finishing a rapid counterattack with a cheeky chip over the onrushing keeper. The clinical finish silenced the opposition momentarily and emphasized Buford’s composure under pressure.
But the game only got chippier from there. Physical fouls, escalating arguments, and off ball incidents turned the match into a gritty war of attrition. Yellow cards stacked up. In total six were shown, three to each team. Pachuca managed to convert a second penalty in the 90+3’ minute, with Brandon Arevalo calmly slotting it home. But any momentum was fleeting.
The contest culminated in a red card for Buford goalkeeper Angel Centeno in stoppage time, dismissed for serious foul play, for endangering the Pachuca player, after a collision just outside the box, about 25 yards from goal. Buford immediately pressed forward and the final whistle came shortly after a halted Pachuca free kick.
After the match Coach Montoya spoke candidly about his young squad. “We made two mistakes and they punished us,” he said. “That’s the difference against experienced teams. Sometimes we dictate the game, sometimes we match the game but little details like that always affect the result.” He added “We’re probably the youngest team in the league… We’ve got a bunch of 2006 and 2007s. And that’s costing us results. But we believe in it and learn from it.”
Despite the loss Pachuca’s grit and flashes of attacking quality signal a team with promise. But for Atlético Buford the win solidifies their standing as early contenders and shows they can win with flair or fire.
Final Score
Atlético Buford — 2 — Cristian Suazo (2’ 52’)
Filial Pachuca Georgia — 1 — Brandon Arevalo (90+3’ PK)
