Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs CD Aguiluchos USA
May 17, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC begin their 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign when they take on CD Aguiluchos USA (NPSL) on Wednesday, May 18. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PDT at Bonney Field. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Tickets to the match are included in the 2016 Republic FC season ticket package and may be downloaded and printed via MyAccountManager. Single match tickets to the match are available on Ticketmaster.com.
This will be Republic FC's third run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In each of the last two seasons Republic FC have won their Second and Third Round matches before ultimately bowing out in the close Fourth Round defeats, both at the hands of their MLS affiliate, the San Jose Earthquakes. This will be the second straight year that Republic FC will play a National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) club in the Second Round. Last season Republic FC defeated the Sonoma County Sol (NPSL) 4-2 on May 20, 2015.
Republic FC enter the match after defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2 2-0 in a USL match on Saturday, May 14. Midfielder Tommy Thompson scored his first career brace while the defense recorded their fifth shutout in eight USL matches this season.
Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek and his defense recorded their second consecutive shutout on Saturday. The defense has allowed just three goals on the season, least in the USL. Jakubek has allowed just three goals in his last 11 USL regular season starts, an average of just .27 goals against per match over the stretch. Jakubek has appeared in all but one of Republic FC's six U.S. Open Cup matches to date.
Forward Thomas Stewart had a big match in Republic FC's Second Round match last season against Sonoma County Sol on May 20, 2015. Stewart became the first player from Northern Ireland to score a hat trick in U.S. Open Cup history. Stewart went on to score four goals in U.S. Open Cup play last season, third most among all players in the 2015 tournament.
Aguiluchos come in the match after defeating San Francisco City FC 3-0 in the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup. Aguiluchos' Simon Rawnsley, Miguel Santiago and Matheus Freire all scored in the victory.
There are several ties between the two clubs' rosters. Republic FC midfielder Octavio Guzman played with Aguiluchos in the 2013 season prior to signing with Republic FC in the 2014 season. Aguiluchos midfielder Ahmad Hatifie and forward Ross Middlemiss were both trialists with Republic FC and featured in friendly matches with Republic FC. Middlemiss was a member of the 2014 preseason roster, playing in multiple preseason friendlies. Hatifie, a former UC Davis player, was a member of the 2015 preseaon roster appearing as a halftime substitute against the New York Cosmos on Feb. 28, 2015.
The match will be broadcast on KHTK Sports 1140, but will not be live streamed. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #USOC2016.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 17, 2016
- San Antonio FC Forward Manolo Sanchez Named in Puerto Rico Squad for USA Friendly - San Antonio FC
- United Ready to Make Third U.S. Open Cup Appearance - Phoenix Rising FC
- Sacramento Republic FC Defender Emrah Klimenta Called up to Montenegro National Team - Sacramento Republic FC
- LouCity Hosts Detroit City FC in U.S. Open Cup 2nd Round - Louisville City FC
- Match Preview: San Antonio FC Hosts Corinthians FC in Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - San Antonio FC
- FCC Hosts Indy Eleven NPSL; Travels to Charlotte - FC Cincinnati
- Saint Louis FC Begins Cup Run Wednesday - Saint Louis FC
- GD4, Lancaster Earn Weekly Nod - Louisville City FC
- T2's Michael Gallagher Added to USL Team of the Week - Portland Timbers 2
- Alphonso Davies, Kyle Greig Selected to USL Team of the Week After Record-Setting Performances - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
- Vargas Named to USL's Team of the Week - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Sacramento's Thompson Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- San Antonio FC Defender Sam McBride Named to USL Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Maikel Chang Named to USL Team of the Week - Charleston Battery
- Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs CD Aguiluchos USA - Sacramento Republic FC
- McLaughlin Grabs Spot on USL Team of the Week - FC Cincinnati
- Powering Through the Season - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Hammerheads Prepare for First Match in the 2016 Open Cup - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
- Game Preview: Riverhounds vs Lansdowne Bhoys FC - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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