Braun Brace Lifts Republic FC over Portland Timbers 2 3-0
September 12, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Portland Timbers 2
(Sacramento Republic FC, Credit: Portland Timbers 2)
A Justin Braun brace and Rodrigo Lopez's tenth goal of the season propels Republic FC past Portland Timbers 2 and into third place in the USL Western Conference.
Republic FC started strong dominating possession and testing the Portland Timbers 2 backline. Republic FC would strike first in the 13th minute. Forward Thomas Stewart sent a cross from the right side of the field. While Timbers 2 cleared the cross, it only only went to the top of the box where it fell softly to Rodrigo Lopez who sent a laser to the top right side of the goal putting Republic FC ahead 1-0.
Republic FC would strike again in the 33rd minute when midfielder Danny Barrera sent a cross into the box. Barrera's cross found the head of forward Justin Braun, who was positioned well in the middle of the box. Braun flicked the header over the onrushing T2 keeper Jake Gleeson, putting Republic FC ahead 2-0.
Braun would strike again just two minutes later stealing, the ball in the middle of the pitch. Braun showed fancy footwork as he flicked the ball around the T2 defender and then sent the ball under the onrushing Gleeson on the ensuing one-on-one opportunity. The goal was Braun's second of the match and fourth in the last two matches. Braun has now scored eight goal this season, doubling his output from last season and putting Republic FC ahead 3-0.
The best chance for T2 came in the 43rd minute after Ivan Mirkovic was cautioned after taking down Fatawu about 25 yards away. Fatawu stepped up and sent the ensuing free kick toward the left corner of the goal. Republic FC goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek was there for the save however, skiing high to knock the ball away from goal, keeping the match 3-0 going into the half.
T2 came out stronger in the second half, controlling more of the possession and getting the first strong look on goal in the 51st minute when Kharlton Belmar beat the defense down the right side of the box. Jakubek elected to stay on his line, making a kneeling save to keep Belmar's shot out of the net and preserve his shutout.
Republic FC had their best chance of the half in the 55th minute when Braun beat the offside trap. Braun took a hard touch on the ball but was able to get to it and go one-on-one with Gleeson and sent a shot to the keeper's right. Gleeson was up the task however keeping the score 3-0.
With the win, Republic FC moved into third place in the USL Western Conference and moved into a position to win the conference should they win their remaining two matches of the regular season. Republic FC will travel to Orange County, Calif. to take on Orange County Blues FC on Wednesday, September 16. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. 0 0 1 49 282 Sacramento Republic FC 2 1 330 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE table.MsoNormalTable
Republic FC will play their final home match on Saturday, September 19 against Arizona United SC. The match is sold out, but a limited number of tickets remain for the match through the Greater Sacramento Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tickets purchased through the website RelentlessRepublic650.org benefit LLS.
Images from this story
 Sacramento Republic FC vs. Portland Timbers 2 (Portland Timbers 2) |
 Sacramento Republic FC vs. Portland Timbers 2 (Portland Timbers 2) |
 Sacramento Republic FC vs. Portland Timbers 2 (Portland Timbers 2) |
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