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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Republic FC Reignite Rivalry with Reno 1868 FC on Saturday Night

May 11, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC return home from the Pacific Northwest for a home tilt with rivals Reno 1868 FC on Saturday, May 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm and the match will be broadcast on KQCA My58, Estrella TV 58.3, ESPN+ and on the radio on Sports 1140 KHTK.

Saturday's match will be the first of two matches between the two sides in 2018. Reno 1868 FC holds the slight edge in the two clubs' history holding a 2-1-1 record over Republic FC in all competitions with a 6-5 goal advantage. The two sides also played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in a preseason tune-up at Greater Nevada Field in 2017.

Republic FC enter the match after a quick two-match road trip in the Pacific Northwest. After suffering their first defeat of the season in Seattle, Republic FC responded with a 2-1 victory in Portland. Defender Mitchell Taintor scored his first USL goal of the season minutes before halftime, giving Republic FC just their second halftime lead of the season. T2 would equalize in the 61st, but Republic FC would find the winner thanks in large part to Villyan Bijev. Though the goal was officially ruled an own goal for T2 keeper Bryan Meredith, Bijev showed off his exceptional first touch before sending a shot that hit off the near post and ricocheted off of Meredith's diving attempt.

Reno 1868 FC come into the match with a 2-3-4 record following a 1-1 draw to Tulsa Roughnecks FC. Lindo Mfeka equalized in the 70th minute to rescue a point on the road for Reno. Mfeka and Danny Musovski have provided the bulk of the offense for a team that lost 2017 USL MVP Dane Kelly to transfer in the offseason. Antoine Hoppenot has not scored yet this year after recording 12 goals playing alongside Kelly. Seth Casiple, a Rocklin High School graduate, has made five starts for Reno this season.

Reno 1868 FC has also featured James Kiffe in the starting lineup seven times. Kiffe, a mainstay at left back for Republic FC during his time in Sacramento, started and played the full 90 minutes for Republic FC in the 2014 USL Championship match.

Head Coach Ian Russell is in his second season at the helm of Reno 1868 FC after leading the club to a 17-7-8 record and the number three seed in the Western Conference in Reno's inaugural season. Reno lost at home in the first round of playoffs to Oklahoma City Energy FC.

Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC and by following #SACvRNO. To see more matchday information, visit SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide.

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