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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Match Preview: Sacramento Republic FC vs Tulsa Roughnecks FC

August 28, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (10-8-5, 35 pts) will take on Tulsa Roughnecks FC (10-10-6, 36 pts) in a match with major playoff implications on Saturday, August 29. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m. PDT at Bonney Field. The sold out match is presented by SMUD and all in attendance will receive a team poster presented by Western Health Advantage. Gates will open at 6:30.

Republic FC will be collecting new and gently used soccer equipment prior to the match. The equipment drive will benefit Second Touch Soccer, a local charity that sends soccer equipment to those in need in the United States and abroad. For a full list of requested items visit SacRepublicFC.com.

This will be the second meeting between the two clubs. Republic FC won the only other matchup 3-1 on June 25, behind a brace by Rodrigo Lopez and two assists by Octavio Guzman.

Republic FC enter the match after a 1-1 draw against Real Monarchs SLC on Saturday, August 22. Captain Justin Braun scored his fourth goal of the season, a header off a cross by Lopez. The assist was Lopez's club-leading fifth assist.

The goal was Braun's tenth goal with Republic FC in all competitions. Braun is the third leading scorer in Republic FC history, trailing Lopez (25) and Thomas Stewart (21).

Midfielder Ivan Mirkoviæ, Republic FC's leader in USL minutes, will be suspended for the next two matches after picking up his eighth yellow card of the season. Mirkoviæ will return from suspension on September 12 when Republic FC take on Timbers 2 in Portland. Defender Nemanja Vukoviæ has received four yellow cards this season, his next yellow card will result in a one match suspension.

The Roughnecks enter the match after falling 2-0 against Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday, August 22. The Roughnecks currently sit in fifth place in the USL Western Conference standings just a point ahead of Republic FC. Tulsa has played the most matches in the USL to date. The Roughnecks have just two more matches remaining this season.

Former Republic FC midfielder Chad Bond has fit in nicely with the Roughnecks, recording a club-leading eight assists in 22 appearances this season. Bond made five USL appearances for Republic FC last season and was a starter for Republic FC in their inaugural home match on April 26, 2014 at Hughes Stadium.

Goalkeeper Jake Feener has been strong for the Roughnecks this season, allowing just 15 goals in 11 starts this season. Feener, a Granite Bay native, graduated from Jesuit High School in 2010. Feener and Republic FC forward Cameron Iwasa were teammates at Jesuit.

The match will be broadcast live on KTHK Sports 1140 AM and will also be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvTUL.

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