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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2

May 8, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (4-4-0, 12 pts) return home to take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 (4-2-1, 13 pts) on Saturday, May 9 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PDT. Gates open 6:00 p.m.

The match will be the second meeting between Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 this season. Sounders FC 2 won the first meeting 4-2 on March 21 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.

Republic FC enter the match following a 0-1 loss to Real Monarchs SLC on Wednesday, April 29. The match was the second straight loss for Republic FC, matching the club's longest losing streak. Republic FC will return home to Bonney Field where they are 11-2-1 all-time in USL regular season matches.

Republic FC forward Justin Braun scored the first goal against Sounders FC 2 on March 21. This was the first goal of the season for Republic FC in 2015 and the second time that Braun has scored the first goal of the season for Republic FC. The captain scored the inaugural goal for Republic FC against LA Galaxy II on March 29, 2014 and then scored the first Republic FC goal at Bonney Field on June 20, 2014.

Midfielder Octavio Guzman also scored against S2 on May 21. Guzman scored on a free kick in stoppage time. This was first of three set piece goals this season for Guzman, who is one of just five players that have played in every Republic FC USL match. The other four players that have played in all of Republic FC's USL matches this season are Pat McLain, Emrah Klimenta, David Estrada and Ivan Mirkovic.

Republic FC forward Estrada spent most of his five-year MLS career with Seattle Sounders FC, S2's parent club. In 41 career appearances with the club he scored five goals, including Sounders FC's third-ever hat trick. Estrada was also well known in Seattle for his work in the community and was named the 2012 Sounders FC Humanitarian of the Year.

Sounders FC 2 enter the match following a 2-1 win over Orange County Blues FC on Friday, May 1. S2 came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit, equalizing on a 66th minute goal from second-half substitute Sam Garza before midfielder Pablo Rossi converted a match-winning penalty kick in the 83rd minute.

Forward Andy Craven has played a large role in the S2 offense this season scoring two goals and recording four assists. Craven scored the first goal of the season for S2 against Republic FC on March 21. His four assists is second in USL.

Midfielder Rossi has been a catalyst for S2 this season, entering the match with three goals and an assist in seven appearances. Rossi scored on a 76th minute free kick against Republic FC on March 21. He also had an assist on Garza's 70th minute goal.

Forward Darwin Jones has also played well for S2, leading the club with four goals in seven appearances. Jones averages almost a goal for every 90 minutes played as his four goals come in just 385 minutes.

The match will be the first for Republic FC in the month of May, a month that was very successful for Republic FC in 2014. In May 2014, Republic FC went 4-0-0, their best month of the season. May marked the turn for the club who entered the month 2-1-3 and did not have a losing record for any month after May.

The match is Bikes & Beers Night at Bonney Field, presented by Heineken. Fans who bike to the match and use the SABA bike valet will receive 10% off any Republic FC merchandise. Visit SacRepublicFC.com for bike routes and bike-to-the-match group meet-ups.

The match will be live streamed at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday and updates will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvSEA.

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