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Sacramento Republic FC

Stewart Lifts Republic FC over Charlotte 1-0

July 14, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


An early goal from Thomas Stewart is enough for Republic FC as they ride strong defense and possession to their fifth road win of the season, defeating the Charlotte Eagles 1-0.

Republic FC controlled possession of the ball from the beginning constantly passing the ball around looking for an opening in the Charlotte defense. The opening came in the 10th minute when forward Chad Bartlomé passed the ball to midfielder Max Alvarez who was streaking down the middle of the field. Alvarez immediately sent the ball forward to Thomas Stewart who slid the ball under a diving Alec Kann.

Once capturing the 1-0 lead, Republic FC controlled the ball, passing it for upwards of two and three minutes without turning it over. Charlotte's best two looks came in the 25th and 28th minutes off of free kicks.

In the 25th minute midfielder Jorge Herrera bent a free kick around the wall trying to hit the lower right corner of the goal, but Republic FC keeper Jake Gleeson made a diving save to preserve the lead.

In the 28th minute Herrera again took a free kick, this time crossing the ball into the box where it found the head of midfielder Owusu Sekyere whose shot went off the right post before being cleared away by the Republic FC defense.

The score would remain 1-0 at the half. The second half started much the same as the first with Republic FC controlling the ball and playing strong defense. Republic FC had a good chance of doubling their lead in the 54th minute when Alvarez maneuvered around the defense and made a strong pass to midfielder Tommy Thompson whose left-footed shot was saved by a diving Kann.

Charlotte's best look at a second-half equalizer came in the 90th minute on a Oloutolani Ibikunle throw-in which bounced past two lines of leaping players before finding the head of Kevin Duckett. Duckett's header went toward goal, and two Charlotte players, who tried to out-jump Nemanja Vukoviæ, but were unsuccessful as the Republic FC defender was able to head the ball away.

"This shows that we can win on the road, it gives us the motivation moving forward" said Gleeson following the match. "I think that we put out a lot of fires early and limited the counter attack, both things we did not do before."

The win is the fifth USL PRO road-win for Republic FC this year, tying them with Orlando City for most in the league. Republic FC is also only the second club to reach ten wins in USL PRO play this season.

Republic FC will travel home to take on Orlando City SC on Thursday, July 17 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Republic FC will try to hand Orlando City SC, a club joining MLS in 2015, their first USL PRO loss of the season. Tickets are still available online at Ticketmaster.com. This will also be the first Republic FC match during the California State Fair.

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