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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Newcastle United

July 17, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC will face English Premier League side Newcastle United in an international friendly match on Saturday, July 18. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m. PDT (4:00 a.m. GMT, July 19) at Bonney Field. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The match is sold out, although limited verified re-sale tickets may be available at Ticketmaster.com.

This match is included in Republic FC season ticket packages as Special Match D.

This is the final of three international friendlies for Republic FC this season. Republic FC fell 4-1 to Atlas FC (Liga MX) in their first international friendly on July 8, before defeating Sunderland AFC (EPL) 1-0 on July 14.

Republic FC is now 1-2-0 versus Premier League clubs after their defeat of Sunderland. Substitute forward Cameron Iwasa scored the match's lone goal just one minute after coming into the match. Last season Republic FC played against West Bromwich Albion twice at Bonney Field. West Bromwich Albion won both matches, the first 0-1 on July 21 and then 3-1 on July 25.

This will be the last match in the month of July for Republic FC as they look to make a strong push to end the season when they return to league play on Saturday, August 1 against Seattle Sounders 2 at Bonney Field. In 2014, Republic FC went a combined 7-1-1 to finish the regular season following their July friendly matches, including a franchise-best six-match win streak.

This will be the second of a three-match U.S. tour for Newcastle. The first match was a 2-1 loss to Atlas FC (Liga MX) on July 14 in Milwaukee, Wisc. Newcastle will finish their preseason tour when they take on Portland Timbers 2 on July 21, at Providence Park in Portland, Oreg.

This is the second time Newcastle United has gone on a preseason tour in North America. In 2011, Newcastle United played 3 matches over the course of 10 days against Orlando City SC (USL), Sporting Kansas City (MLS) and Columbus Crew (MLS).

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is one of multiple players on Newcastle with international experience. Krul was a member of the Dutch Men's National Team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, saving two penalties in the Netherland's victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals. Krul has appeared in over 145 matches with the Magpies since joining the club in 2010, recording 44 shutouts.

Midfielder Moussa Sissoko also appeared in the 2014 FIFA World Cup a member of the France Men's National Team. Sissoko appeared in four matches for France during the World Cup including victories over Nigeria, Honduras and Switzerland. Sissoko has appeared in over 80 matches for Newcastle in three seasons with the club, scoring 10 goals.

Late minute additions for the Magpies on their United States tour are midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Mehdi Abeid and defender Lubo Satka. Wijnaldum joins Newcastle United after signing with the club on Saturday July 11. In 109 appearances for PSV Eindhoven, the midfielder had 41 goals. Abeid is a youngster on the Algerian national team who signed with Newcastle in 2011, but has spent the majority of his time on loan. Meanwhile, Satka is a Newcastle United Academy product and member of Slovakia's U19 squad. All three players flew directly to Sacramento to meet up with the Magpies mid-tour.

The match is sold out, but will be streamed live on SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SRFCvNUFC.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 17, 2015


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