
Down a man, Sacramento sparks flurry of late match chances but falls short
June 27, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
SACRAMENTO, California - Sacramento Republic FC hosted to Phoenix Rising FC for the Indomitable Club's first home match in three weeks. With fireworks at the end of the night - celebrating a full house, Dan Casey opened his account and bagged his first career goal with the club during Saturday night's 2-1 defeat at Heart Health Park.
"[The result was] Frustrating, obviously, a number of things that are frustrating with that," Head Coach Mark Briggs said following the match. "But to end on a positive [note], and show the fight and desire that we did in the second half -- we're down to 10 men... That's obviously something that we can move forward with ... something we can build on and something that we can have a platform to move forward with."
Sacramento's sharp passes led to a quality possession in the final third nearly half an hour into the contest, only to be ended by a foul. Phoenix opened the scoring with a 31st-minute goal from Solomon Asante.
Down to ten men after a red card to Fatai Alashe in the 38th minute, Republic FC built a promising chance just before the half with a streaking Cam Iwasa down the left side.
Pete Pennanen nearly leveled the match after the half with a left footed shot from outside the box. Pennanen, who came into the match with a season-high three shots in his previous two outings, played his midfield role clinically with an 89.5 pass completion rate, his fifth match of the season with a pass completion rate of at least 87 percent.
Republic FC won a dangerous corner in the 51st minute that was cleared just to the edge of the 18-yard box before Dariusz Formella rifled the ball into the crowd.
Phoenix doubled its lead in the 63rd minute when David Egbo found the back of the net, on a cross-box pass dished by Solomon Asante.
SRFC got one back in the 72nd minute on a corner, as Dan Casey headed an inswinger from Pete Pennanen. It was Casey's first career goal and Pennanen's first career assist with the Indomitable Club.
Second half urgency was the name of the game for SRFC, who logged nine shots in the second half. Two came off the right foot of Formella. Tucker Bone almost put away another SRFC chance on a perfect through ball from Luis Felipe.
Sacramento Republic will face San Diego Loyal SC next week in Southern California before returning to Sacramento for the second regular season fixture in 2021 against Oakland Roots SC.
Sacramento Republic FC 1-2 Phoenix Rising FC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
June 26, 2021
Attendance: 7,112
Scoring Summary: PHX - Solomon Asante 31'; PHX - David Egbo (Solomon Asante) 63'; SAC - Dan Casey (Pete Pennanen) 72'
Misconduct Summary: PHX - Kevon Lambert (caution) 29'; SAC - Fatai Alashe (red card) 38'; SAC - Luis Felipe (caution) 66'; PHX - Aodhan Quinn (caution) 75'; SAC - Dariusz Formella (caution) 77'; SAC - Mark Briggs (caution) 87'; PHX - Tobi Adewole (caution) 93'; PHX - Jon Bakero (caution) 96'
Sacramento Republic FC: Rafael Diaz (Tomas Gomez 45'), Shannon Gomez (Jaime Villarreal 83'), Hayden Sargis, Dan Casey, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (Luis Felipe 64'), Duke Lacroix, Fatai Alashe, Pete Pennanen, Dariusz Formella, Kharlton Belmar (Tucker Bone 64'), Cam Iwasa
Unused substitutes: Mario Penagos, Rafael Jauregui, Nabi Kibunguchy
Stats - Shots: 10, Shots on Goal: 1, Saves: 5, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 1.
Phoenix Rising FC: Andre Rawls, Darnell King, Joseph Farrell, James Musa, Kevon Lambert, Arturo Rodriguez (Jon Bakero 67'), Aodhan Quinn, Tate Schmitt (Tobi Adewole 91'), Santi Moar (Ryan Flood 82') David Egbo (Prince Saydee 67'), Solomon Asante (Joey Calistri 82')
Unused substitutes: Benjamin Lundt, Jeremy Kelly
Stats - Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 0, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 3
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 27, 2021
- Atlanta United 2 Falls 2-1 vs. OKC Energy FC - Atlanta United 2
- Greens Rally against ATL, Win Third in a Row - OKC Energy FC
- Rowdie Reflections: a Strong Foundation - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Match Preview: Tacoma Defiance vs. La Galaxy II - June 27, 2021 - Tacoma Defiance
- Charlotte Independence Players to Inspire Younger Generations Through New Adopt a Kid's Group Program - Charlotte Independence
- Down a man, Sacramento sparks flurry of late match chances but falls short - Sacramento Republic FC
- Phoenix Rising Win 2-1 in Sacramento - Phoenix Rising FC
- Oakland Roots Settle for Draw - Oakland Roots
- Real Monarchs Draw with San Antonio FC - Real Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Sacramento Republic FC Stories
- Republic FC's Earn 1-0 Victory Over Tulsa FC
- Economic Impact Analysis Shows Railyards Will Deliver Billions in Economic Output, Nearly 24,000 Jobs, and Unlock One of the Largest Projects in City History
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. FC Tulsa
- Wear Red & Pack the House: Show Your Republic Pride at City Hall on June 10
- 4-0 Victory Earns Jared Mazzola and Lee Desmond USL Jägermeister Cup Team of the Round Honors

