Portland Hands Republic FC First Loss of 2018
May 3, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Sacramento Republic FC suffer their first defeat of 2018, falling on the road 2-0 against Portland Timbers FC 2. The club is now 4-1-3 in league play and remain second in the Western Conference heading into the weekend.
Republic FC had the first chance of the night in the 11th minute thanks in large part to Jure Matjasic. The Slovenian midfielder, making his second consecutive start for Sacramento, sent a perfectly weighted ball into the box to Villyan Bijev, but the former T2 attacker blasted his shot over the goal and out of play.
The home side scored their first of the match just minutes later. After Foster Langsdorf's cross into the box was not cleared by the Republic FC defense, Dairon Asprilla pounced on the loose ball to put his side ahead in the 16th minute.
Timbers FC 2 added their second goal of the night following a corner kick in the 38th minute. Eryk Williamson delivered a cross into the box and center back Modou Jadama, making a run behind the defense to lose his mark, drilled a header into the ground toward goal. The bounce allowed the ball to evade Shannon Gomez's coverage at the far post and go into the back of the net to double T2's lead.
Cameron Iwasa, entering the match in the 54th minute, nearly pulled a goal back for Republic FC with a strike from inside the box, but T2 keeper Kendall McIntosh made a diving save to deny Iwasa.
Republic FC defender Mitchell Taintor also had a strong chance off ofa corner kick in the 68th minute reminiscent to his recent MLS-debut goal, but T2 captain Josh Phillips was there to block the shot.
Sacramento's hero from last weekend, Luis Espino, came close to scoring his second goal in as many matches as a second-half substitute. The Mexican midfielder received a long ball from Bijev in the box in the 89th minute, but his shot went just wide. The final whistle blew minutes later, handing the visitors their first loss of the season.
Republic FC continue their tour of the Pacific Northwest, traveling to Washington to take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Sunday, May 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on KQCA My58, Estrella TV and ESPN+.
Images from this story
Sacramento Republic FC battles Portland Timbers FC 2 for the ball |
Sacramento Republic FC attempts to keep possession vs. Portland Timbers FC 2 |
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Portland Timbers FC 2 |
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