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Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2

July 31, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (9-7-3, 30 pts) will take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 (11-6-3, 36 pts) in their first USL match in three weeks. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m. PDT at Bonney Field. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast live on CW31. The match is Salute to Service Personnel presented by U.S. Army and will include a food drive benefiting Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services.

Fans attending the match are encouraged to bring donations of healthy, non-perishable food items for families in need throughout the Sacramento region. Fans can drop off their donations in front of the Bonney Field West Gate or bring them to the Republic FC Headquarters located at 2421 17th Street. For a full list of requested donation items and additional information about how to donate please visit SacRepublicFC.com.

This will be the first USL match for new Republic FC head coach Paul Buckle, who took over on July 12. Buckle led Republic FC to a 1-0 victory over English Premier League club, Sunderland AFC, in his first match as Republic FC head coach. Republic FC also fell 0-1 to Newcastle United (EPL) in another friendly during their USL hiatus.

This will be the third and final match for Republic FC against Sounders FC this season. The season series is split 1-1 with each club winning their home match. S2 won the first matchup 4-2 in the first match of the season for both clubs and Republic FC answered with a 3-0 win on May 9.

Republic FC enter the match on their second three-match winless streak of the season (0-1-2) after falling to LA Galaxy II 4-0 in their last USL match. Republic FC do, however, hold a 5-3-1 USL record at Bonney Field this season, while S2 enter the match 2-5-3 in road matches.

Republic FC rookie forward Cameron Iwasa scored the only goal of the match against Sunderland AFC, just a minute after coming on as a substitute. The goal was Iwasa's second in all competitions this season and his first since scoring his first professional goal against Portland Timbers 2 on April 2. Iwasa has added two assists this season including one against the Sonoma County Sol on May 20, and one against Arizona United SC on June 13.

Republic FC midfielder Danny Barrera has played an increased role recently, starting four of the last six matches, playing the full 90 minutes in each of those matches. Barrera has one goal in just 319 minutes this season.

Sounders FC 2 enter the match 4-1-1 in their last six matches and are in a tie for first place with Los Dos in the USL Western Conference standings. S2 defeated T2, 2-0, in their last USL match on July 24.

Forward Pablo Rossi who has appeared in all of the clubs matches this season leads S2. Rossi has scored seven goals and added two assists in his first season in the United States after starting his career with Atlético de Rafaela, an Argentine Premier League club. Rossi recorded a goal and an assist in S2's 4-2 victory over Republic FC earlier this season.

Former San Jose Earthquakes and Arizona United SC forward Sam Garza has also played well for S2 this season. Garza has three goals and two assists in 16 appearances including a goal against Republic FC earlier this season.

Garza and Republic FC midfielder Barrera and defender James Kiffe were college teammates at UC Santa Barbara. Barrera and Garza were also teammates last season when the two played together with the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL).

The match will be broadcast live on CW31 and will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvSEA.

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