USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Austin Aztex

June 26, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (9-6-1, 28 pts) continue their three-match road stretch when they travel to Austin, Texas to take on the Austin Aztex (5-7-2, 17 pts). Kickoff is 5:30 p.m. PDT at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.

This will be the second of two matches between Republic FC and the Aztex this season. The Aztex won the first matchup 1-0 at Bonney Field on Saturday, June 6. Despite outshooting the Aztex 20-4, Republic FC conceded the only goal of the match in the 58th minute when Max Gunderson found Kris Tyrpak open in the box.

Republic FC enter the match following a 3-1 victory over Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Thursday, June 25. Republic FC scored twice in the first half with goals from David Estrada and Rodrigo Lopez in the 20th and 37th minutes, both assisted by midfielder Octavio Guzman. The Roughnecks would get a goal back in the 72nd minute, but Lopez sent home a free kick goal in the 76th minute to put Republic FC ahead by two for good.

The win was the third straight USL victory for Republic FC and their second straight road victory. This is the third three-match winning streak this season for Republic FC who retook 1st place in the Western Conference with the victory, a point ahead of second place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The win was the fourth road victory for Republic FC this season, most in the Western Conference.

Guzman recorded two assists against the Roughnecks giving him three in his last two matches. Guzman is now tied with Estrada and Lopez for the lead in assists with three on the season. He also remains tied with Estrada for second in points this season with nine.

Lopez recorded his second brace in the season against the Roughnecks on Thursday and pulled himself even with Rob Vincent of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Danni König of Oklahoma City Energy FC for the USL lead in goals with nine. Lopez recorded three regular season braces last season.

The Republic FC defense has also played well of late, allowing just one goal in each of their last five matches. Republic FC has gone 3-1-1 during that stretch. Republic FC have allowed just ten goals in their last 12 matches after allowing nine goals in their first four matches.

The Aztex come into the match after drawing 1-1 with the Roughnecks on Sunday, June 21. The Aztex scored in the 55th minute, but a late penalty goal in the 85th minute by Sammy Ochoa salvaged a point for the Roughnecks.

Forwards Kris Tyrpak and Trevin Caesar lead the attack for the Aztex scoring ten of the Aztex's 16 goals this season. Tyrpak scored the only goal in the first match between Republic FC and Austin with a goal in the 58th minute.

Defender Lance Rozeboom has led the Aztex defense this season, playing all but 25 minutes of Austin's 14 matches this season. Rozeboom was drafted 26th overall in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by DC United but never appeared for the club. Rozeboom appeared in 49 matches for the Rochester Rhinos over the last two years before signing with the Aztex.

The match will be streamed live on SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #ATXvSAC.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 26, 2015


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