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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Seattle Sounders FC 2

March 24, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC travel to Tukwila, Wash. on Friday, Mar. 25 to take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 in their first USL match of the 2016 season. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PDT at the Starfire Stadium. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday.

This is the second straight season that Republic FC and S2 have kicked of their USL seasons against each other at Starfire Stadium. S2 won the first meeting between the two clubs 4-2 on Mar. 21, 2015. However, Republic FC dominated the rest of the series last season with a 3-0 win at Bonney Field on May 9, 2015 and then with a 2-0 win at Bonney Field on Aug. 1, 2015 in the final matchup between the two sides last season. The match on Aug. 1 was the first USL match for Republic FC with Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle at the helm.

Republic FC made several offseason transactions to strengthen their roster, including bringing in goalkeeper Evan Newton, defenders Mike da Fonte, Chris Christian and Carlos Rodriguez, midfielders Matt LaGrassa, Chase Minter and JJ Koval and forwards Harry Williams and Mackenzie Pridham.

During the preseason, the new additions made an immediate impact for Republic FC. Christian led all new players with 626 preseason minutes, appearing in 10 of the club's 11 preseason matches, including several closed scrimmages. Pridham scored six goals, second-most of any Republic FC player this preseason, while LaGrassa was tied for the team lead in assists with three in the preseason.

A core of 14 members of Republic FC's 2015 USL roster return for the new season. Defender Derek Foran, midfielders Danny Barrera, Alfonso Motagalvan, and Joaquin Rivas and forward Cameron Iwasa return for their second season. Goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, defenders James Kiffe and Emrah Klimenta, midfielders Agustin Cazarez, Max Alvarez, Octavio Guzman and Ivan Mirkoviæ and forward Thomas Stewart all return for their third season with Sacramento Republic FC.

The returning players also showed well in the preseason. Klimenta led all Republic FC players with 765 preseason minutes, while Alvarez and Iwasa appeared in a club preseason high of 11 matches. Stewart led all Republic FC players with seven preseason goals, including a hat trick in a closed scrimmage against Menlo College and a brace in a friendly against the Sonoma County Sol. Alvarez and Iwasa also tied LaGrassa for the club preseason high of three assists apiece.

Republic FC also received Tommy Thompson and Adam Jahn on loan from their MLS affiliate, the San Jose Earthquakes. Thompson has appeared in eight USL matches on loan for Republic FC over the last two seasons, starting five. He recorded a goal and two assists with Republic FC in 2015. Jahn appeared in 17 USL matches and all three of Republic FC's USL playoff matches during the 2014 season. He scored six goals during the regular season and added a playoff goal. Jahn scored the first home goal in Republic FC history and is 13th all-time in minutes played.

Seattle Sounders FC 2 look to continue on the success of their inaugural season last year. S2 finished 13-12-3 in USL play last season and clinched the sixth and final USL Western Conference playoff spot. S2 fell to the 2-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in their first round playoff match on Sept. 25, 2014.

S2 returns just three players from their 2015 USL roster, midfielders Amadou Sanyang and Carlos Patino and forward Myron Samuel. Sanyang served as captain of S2 in their inaugural season, appearing in 19 matches. Patino was signed late in the 2015 season by S2 and appeared in single match. Samuel scored two goals and recorded an assist before breaking his foot in his only appearance last season against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Aug. 19, 2015.

In addition to the returning players, S2 has signed defender Michael Nelson and midfielders Zach Mathers and Emir Alihodzic to their USL roster. All three players were selections of S2's parent club, Seattle Sounders FC, in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. Sounders FC homegrown player Jordan Schweitzer rounds out S2's current roster. S2 will also feature several Sounders FC loan players and Sounders FC Academy players in the match.

Republic FC will be hosting official watch parties at de Vere's Irish Pub and Hot Italian Pizza & Panini Bar 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 #SEAvSAC.

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