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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Around the Leagues â€Â" USL, NWSL and MLS

August 26, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The race for top spots in the USL Championship are heating up, the MLS regular season has already provided some memorable moments and the NWSL announced a plan to return to play in September

Republic FC made it four wins from four straight fixtures following Saturday's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 in Sacramento.

Mark Briggs' men stormed back from an early goal down as Drew Skundrich and Cameron Iwasa both found the back of the net to keep pace with first place Reno 1868 FC at the top of Group A. Republic FC share the summit with its regional rival at 18 points each but the Nevadan club's +10 goal differential is what separates the two sides as SRFC currently sits at +5.

Cameron Iwasa netted the 69th minute game-winner against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday.

While Sacramento still has over a week until its next content, Reno has a massive match this Saturday night when Group B leaders Phoenix Rising FC visit Greater Nevada Field. The boys in Old Glory Red return to the pitch on September 2 at T2 for the third of four regular season showdowns between the Western Conference clubs.

While Rising FC has a strong lead in Group B, Orange County SC is hot on their tails despite a loss on Tuesday night to Las Vegas Lights FC, 3-1. Lights FC may sit at the bottom of the group but can turn some heads as the Sin City club overcame a two-goal deficit during injury time to score twice and stun Phoenix last Saturday. Over the weekend, OCSC traveled to LA Galaxy II and downed fourth place Los Dos 2-1 on its home turf.

New Mexico United's 2-1 win over 2019 title-winners Real Monarchs maintained the squad from Albuquerque's lead at the top of Group C while Group D leaders San Antonio FC's 2-0 win over Tulsa continued the Texas club's undefeated run to open the 2020 USL Championship campaign.

In the east, Indy Eleven leads Group E but a midweek matchup against Louisville City SC in Kentucky could slowly turn the tides in a tough group. Second place Saint Louis FC is still very much in the mix as well after logging a point on the road following the weekend's 2-2 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and this Saturday's game at home against Louisville could keep them very much in contention for the top spot.

Riverhounds SC have a narrow lead in Group F as the Steel City club is level on points with Hartford Athletic (16) but a +14-goal differential compared to Hartford's +5 reigns supreme. Birmingham Legion FC continue to cruise through Group G but needed a last-gasp equalizer against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday to earn a point following a 2-2 result. Sitting at the summit of Group H is one of only three undefeated teams left in the league - Tampa Bay Rowdies - who collected a sixth win this season after holding off Atlanta United 2 over the weekend, 2-1.

NWSL Returning in September

The Challenge Cup in Utah was a complete success as the Houston Dash were crowned champions of the inaugural tournament and after leading the nation in returning to play for all professional teams, the NWSL has announced an 18-game Fall Series that will run throughout September and October.

Three groups will include three teams and play four match each - two against each of the other two in-group rivals. Matches will be televised as a NWSL Game of the Week on seven Saturday's including four that will be nationally televised. A full schedule will be announced next week but fixtures are set to span between Sept. 5 and Oct. 17.

Northeast: Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC

West: Portland Thorns, Utah Royals, OL Reign

South: North Carolina Courage, Houston Dash, Orlando Pride

MLS Regular Season Returns

It feels like just the other day that Portland Timbers lifted the inaugural 2020 MLS is Back Tournament Trophy, but the Pacific Northwest club didn't have much time to celebrate as the Oregonian side was downed 3-0 at home against heated rivals Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday.

But Portland and Seattle aren't the first major rivalry to clash since the return to play outside of the bubble as Saturday saw the first time in the history of the El Trafico that one side was shut out. LA Galaxy visited Banc of California Stadium on Saturday and stormed out with a 2-0 win over LAFC as Ethan Zubek and Sebastian Lleget fired their side to victory.

Lone Star State rivals Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas met over the weekend but the sides played to a scoreless stalemate while blossoming Floridian rivals Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF met for the first time during Miami's home opener where the hosts earned a 3-2 victory as Rodolfo Pizarro's strike ultimately proved to be the difference.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 26, 2020


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