Mackenzie Pridham's 90th minute equalizer extends Sacramento Republic FC's unbeaten streak to eight

June 26, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release

The match started with neither team earning a true advantage in the first half, as both sides battled the sweltering Arizona heat. Arizona United SC had the first real chance of the match in the 19th minute when they began a counterattack after a long Republic FC throw-in. Forward Tyler Blackwood attacked up the left side before sliding the ball center to Long Tan at the top of the box. Tan went one-on-one with the onrushing Republic FC keeper Dominik Jakubek, who made a sliding save on Tan's low shot to keep the match scoreless.

In the 41st minute Republic FC had their best look at goal in the first half. Forward Harry Williams took the ball down the middle of the park before sending the ball to the left towards Cameron Iwasa, who was running across the front of the box. Iwasa took one-touch to round the keeper before sending a shot toward goal. Blackwood, however, had retreated to his goal line after his keeper was beat and was able to head Iwasa's shot away from goal keeping the match scoreless at the half.

Arizona came out strong in the second half and had the first strong chance of the second half in the 49th minute. Forward Luke Rooney attacked Republic FC down the middle of the pitch before passing the ball to Tan. Tan then hit a low shot past Jakubek, but the ball hit the inside of the far post before it Republic FC's backline then cleared it away.

Arizona broke through Republic FC's defense in the 54th minute. Defender Peter Kelley settled a Republic FC clearance and then sent a cross to Blackwood who was on the left side of the box. Blackwood brought the cross down then cut inside, beating a defender before sending a grounded shot past Jakubek and into the net, giving Arizona the 1-0 lead.

Republic FC responded with a heavy barrage of attacks for the final third of the match. In the 68th minute they almost pulled even after Emrah Klimenta recovered a deflected cross on the right side of the box. Klimenta then centered the ball to substitute forward Mackenzie Pridham, who sent a strong shot on goal that was saved by Arizona keeper Jordan Stagmiller. Pridham then collected the rebound before sending another shot toward goal, this time toward the back post. Midfielder Octavio Guzman was near the back post and attempted to flick the ball into the goal, but Guzman's shot deflected over the bar.

Republic FC found their equalizer in the 90th minute when Barrera crossed a ball into the penalty area to Pridham. Stagmiller ran off his line trying to clear Barrera's cross, but Pridham's header went just over the reach of Stagmiller and into the back of the net to level the score 1-1.

Republic FC return home on Saturday, July 2 when they take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

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• Mackenzie Pridham's 90th minute equalizer extends Sacramento Republic FC's unbeaten streak to eight - Sacramento Republic FC

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