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Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Orange County Blues FC

September 15, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (13-8-5, 44 pts) finish their three-match road stretch when they take on Orange County Blues FC (14-9-4, 46 pts) on Wednesday, September 16. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PDT at Anteater Stadium.

The match will be the second and final time the two sides will meet this season. Orange County Blues FC prevailed in the first matchup, defeating Republic FC 2-1 on April 24 at Bonney Field. Republic FC leads the all-time series 3-2-0.

Republic FC enter the match on a three-match win streak and undefeated in their last five matches. Republic FC is also undefeated in their last seven road matches and can earn their seventh road victory of the season against Orange County, which would tie their mark set last season.

Captain Justin Braun had his second consecutive two-goal match on Saturday, his second career brace with Republic FC. He has now doubled his scoring output from last season and sits just two goals behind Rodrigo Lopez, who holds the club lead with 10 this season.

Lopez scored his club leading tenth goal against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, reaching double digits for the second straight season. The goal was the first for Lopez since he scored a brace against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on June 25. Lopez is now just one goal behind the club record of 11 USL goals in a season set by forward Thomas Stewart last season.

Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek recorded his first shutout of the 2015 season against T2 on Saturday. The shutout was the seventh this season by Republic FC. Jakubek has allowed only one goal in his two USL starts this season.

Orange County Blues FC enter the match 7-1-2 in their last 10 matches and 9-3-1 at home this season. Orange County drew their last match, coming from behind to earn a point against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in Vancouver.

Orange County is a balanced club on offense with four players scoring six or more goals this season. Midfielders Didier Crettenand (7) and Denzel Slager (6) and forwards Christofer Ramirez (8) and Christopher Cortez (6) have combined for 27 of the 38 goals the Blues have scored this season. The quartet has also combined for eight of the club's 31 assists this season.

Forward David Estrada, who was released by Republic FC August 10, has flourished with the Blues, recording three assists in six USL appearances for Orange County. Estrada appeared in 18 USL matches for Republic FC this season, recording three goals and three assists.

Republic FC will be host their official watch party at de Vere's Irish Pub located at 1521 L Street in downtown Sacramento. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #OCvSAC.

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