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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC at Seattle Sounders FC 2

March 20, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC begin their season on the road, traveling to Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash. where they take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday, March 21. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

The match will be the first meeting between Republic FC and S2. The match is also the inaugural USL match for S2, a franchise owned and operated by Seattle Sounders FC, an MLS side.

Republic FC enter the match looking to defend their 2014 USL championship. The club has brought back 14 players from the championship roster, including championship match starters Emrah Klimenta, Nemanja Vukoviæ, Mickey Daly, James Kiffe, Rodrigo Lopez, Octavio Guzman, Ivan Mirkoviæ, Max Alvarez and Justin Braun. Republic FC have also signed nine new players to the squad, including USL veterans Patrick McLain, Alfonso Motagalvan and Gabe Gonzalez.

Republic FC will begin the season with four key players injured. Forward Thomas Stewart, midfielders Rodrigo Lopez and Max Alvarez and defender Nemanja Vukoviæ will all be out against S2. Stewart, Republic FC's leading scorer in 2014 USL play, recently had minor surgery on his left foot and is recovering. Lopez miss the match due to a right hip strain, while Alvarez is dealing with a pelvic injury. Vukoviæ, the 2014 USL Defender of the Year, is recovering from a hernia surgery.

S2 will compete in their inaugural USL match and their inaugural USL home match. S2 has some familiar faces to Northern California soccer fans. Defender Aaron Long appeared in two matches for Republic FC, playing 99 minutes as a loan player from the Portland Timbers. Long also appeared in three matches, playing 126 minutes for Orange County Blues FC. Long was signed to Seattle Sounders FC on July 18 after being released by the Timbers. On March 14,Long signed with S2 as part of their inaugural USL roster.

Another USL and MLS player, Sam Garza, also signed with S2 on March 14. Garza was the 6th overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by the San Jose Earthquakes. Garza appeared in 12 matches for the Earthquakes over three years, recording an assist. Garza finished the 2014 season with Arizona United SC making nine appearances, scoring one goal and recording an assist.

The match will be the first of three straight road matches to start the USL season for Republic FC, and the first of six straight matches against MLS owned USL teams.

Republic FC will be hosting a watch party at de Vere's Irish Pub located in midtown Sacramento at 1521 L St. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC and by using #SEAvSAC.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 20, 2015


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