Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs LA Galaxy II
Published on July 10, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC (9-6-3, 30 pts) will take on LA Galaxy II (9-5-2, 29 pts) in their final July USL match. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m. PDT at Bonney Field. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The match is sold out, but will be broadcast live on CBS 13 and KHTK Sports 1140 AM.
This will be the final match for Republic FC head coach Preki as he leaves the club for a position in the United Kingdom. Preki will finish his Republic FC coaching career against the club's biggest rival, LA Galaxy II.
This will be the fourth and final match against LA Galaxy II this season. Republic FC is 3-0-0 against Los Dos this season. Republic FC have not lost to Los Dos in four consecutive matches, dating back to September, 2014. Republic FC is 6-1-1 all-time against Los Dos.
Republic FC enter the match on a five-match unbeaten streak after drawing their last two matches. Currently sitting in a tie for first place in the Western Conference with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Republic FC will not play another league match until August 1, a span of 20 days.
Republic FC midfielder Rodrigo Lopez will look to continue his domination over LA Galaxy II. Lopez has scored six goals and added an assist during Republic FC's four-match winning streak against Los Dos, including a hat trick in last year's USL semifinal match. With nine USL goals, Lopez leads Republic FC and his is tied for the club lead in assists, with three. Lopez leads the USL with five-match winning goals this season.
Goalkeeper Patrick McLain has been a standout for Republic FC this season, allowing only 12 goals in the last 15 matches, including all five of his 2015 USL shutouts. McLain has also allowed one goal or less in each of the last seven matches and has allowed three goals in three matches against Los Dos this season. He is tied for third in the USL for saves (52) and number of shutouts (five).
LA Galaxy II enter the match having lost just one match since May 17, the last time Republic FC and Los Dos met. LA Galaxy II are 9-2-2 against all USL clubs other than Republic FC in 2015, but have yet to win against Republic FC this season. Against all other teams Los Dos have outscored opponents 22-10. In comparison, Republic FC have outscored LA Galaxy II 7-3.
LA Galaxy II are led by midfielder Raul Mendiola, who leads the club in assists and points. Mendiola has recorded eight assists, most in the USL, in addition to four goals. He also recorded two assists against Republic FC in previous matches this season.
Forward Ariel Lassiter has been the other target for Los Dos this season. Lassiter's seven goals leads the club. He scored the lone Los Dos goal against Republic FC on April 11. Lassiter has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances.
This will be Preki's 50th and final career USL match (regular and postseason) with Republic FC. The 2014 USL Coach of the Year looks for his 30th career USL win as he comes into the match with a 29-13-7 overall USL record. His regular season record as a head coach across all leagues is currently 72-53-35.
The match is sold out, but will be broadcast live on CBS 13 and KHTK Sports 1140 AM. The match will also be streamed live on SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvLA.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 10, 2015
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