Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Orange County Blues FC
Published on September 21, 2015 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC (13-8-6, 45 pts) finish the USL regular season when they take on Orange County Blues FC (14-9-4, 46 pts) on Tuesday, September 22. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PDT at Anteater Stadium on the campus of UC Irvine. The match was originally scheduled to be played on Wednesday, September 16, but was postponed due to unplayable pitch conditions.
The match will decide first place in the USL Western Conference standings. The winner of the match will claim the top spot in the Western Conference while the loser will claim fourth place. Should the match end in a draw Orange County will claim the top spot, while Republic FC would finish in fourth.
This is the second and final time the two sides will meet this season. Orange County Blues FC prevailed in the first matchup, defeating Republic FC 2-1 on April 24 at Bonney Field. Republic FC leads the all-time series 3-2-0.
Republic FC enter the match undefeated in their last six matches after playing Arizona United SC to a scoreless draw on Saturday, September 19. Republic FC are also undefeated in their last seven road matches and can earn their seventh road victory of the season against Orange County, which would tie their mark set last season.
Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek recorded his second consecutive shutout against Arizona on Saturday. The shutout was the eighth this season by Republic FC. Jakubek has allowed only one goal in his three USL starts this season and has not allowed a goal in 204 consecutive minutes.
Republic FC took a franchise record 24 shots against Arizona United SC on Saturday, but failed to find the back of the net. This is just the second time in franchise history that Republic FC has taken 20 or more shots in a match and failed to score a goal, the first coming against the Austin Aztex on June 6, 2015. Republic FC averages 1.83 goals in matches in which they take at least 20 shots.
Republic FC broke their own USL single season attendance record when a season-high 11,542 fans attended the match against Arizona United SC. Saturday's attendance pushed the 2015 season attendance to 158,616, which broke the previous record of 158,107 set by Republic FC in 2014.
Orange County Blues FC enter the match 7-1-2 in their last 10 matches and 9-3-1 at home this season. Orange County drew their last match, coming from behind to earn a point against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in Vancouver.
Orange County is a balanced club on offense with four players scoring six or more goals this season. Midfielders Didier Crettenand (7) and Denzel Slager (6) and forwards Christofer Ramirez (8) and Christopher Cortez (6) have combined for 27 of the 38 goals the Blues have scored this season. The quartet has also combined for eight of the club's 31 assists this season.
Forward David Estrada, who was released by Republic FC August 10, has flourished with the Blues, recording three assists in six USL appearances for Orange County. Estrada appeared in 18 USL matches for Republic FC this season, recording three goals and three assists.
Should Republic FC win the match they would earn a first round bye and host the winner of the Orange County Blues FC vs LA Galaxy II match. Should Republic FC lose or draw the match, the club would host Los Dos on Saturday, September 26, at Bonney Field.
Republic FC will host their official watch party at de Vere's Irish Pub located at 1521 L Street in downtown Sacramento. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #OCvSAC.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 21, 2015
- Arizona United SC Continues "Student of the Game" Program with Barcelona AZ-Total Futbol Academy Cli - Phoenix Rising FC
- USL Week 27: Riverhounds, Kickers Complete Playoff Field - USL
- Training Boost for Hounds Academy Players as Club Adds Sessions - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Kickers Qualify for 2015 USL Playoffs - Richmond Kickers
- Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Orange County Blues FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Sounders FC 2 to Face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in USL Western Conference Quarterfinals Friday - Tacoma Defiance
- Blues Prepared for Regular Season Finale vs Sacramento, with Top Playoff Seed at Stake - Orange County SC
- Matchups Set for 2015 USL Playoffs - USL
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