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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Republic FC Downs CD Aguiluchos USA in U.S. Open Cup

May 19, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Mackenzie Pridham of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
Mackenzie Pridham of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
(Sacramento Republic FC)

Republic FC keep a clean sheet and use a five-goal barrage to take down CD Aguiluchos USA in the Second Round the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

CD Aguiluchos USA had the first real scoring threat after Republic FC missed a few chances in the first 10 minutes. In the 11th minute forward Simon Rawnsley took advantage of some miscommunication by the Republic FC defense as he ran onto a goal kick and found himself in a one-on-one situation with Republic FC keeper Evan Newton. Rawnsley took one touch towards goal but Newton was able to come off of his line to make the vital save for Republic FC.

In the 21st minute Republic FC earned a penalty kick when Aguiluchos defender Bengy Ruiz blatantly deflected a Carlos Rodriguez header with his hand in the box, which he was consequently booked for. Forward Thomas Stewart stepped up to the penalty spot but was unable to get his shot past a diving Kevin Gonzalez as the keeper fell to his left to save the penalty kick.

Republic FC finally broke through shortly thereafter in the 24th minute when midfielder Alfonso Motagalvan got his head on the end of a Max Alvarez corner kick and sent the ball into the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead. The goal was Republic FC's first scored directly off of a corner kick since September 2014.

Aguiluchos had another scoring chance in the 33rd minute when forward Ross Middlemiss took a side volley shot from 25 yards out. The shot looked dangerous as it dipped towards goal but it sailed harmlessly above the crossbar and on top of the net for a goal kick.

Republic FC added a second goal in the 36th minute when Max Alvarez sent a right-footed in-swinging free kick from 25 yards out into the box. The ball was deflected and rolled loose in the box for forward Mackenzie Pridham who slotted his shot past Aguiluchos keeper Kevin Gonzalez for the 2-0 lead.

Republic FC scored two more goals just before the halftime whistle. The first came again on a corner kick in the 44th minute when Rodriguez got a head to an Alvarez corner kick for the goal. Stewart added the fourth goal of the half in stoppage time when he cleaned up a chance off of a Pridham shot and sent the rebound shot straight into the back of the net for a 4-0 halftime score line.

The second half did not have quite the scoring action of the first half but both teams saw scoring chances. Aguiluchos almost tallied in the 78th minute when Middlemiss was able to fend off the defense and send a shot on goal. Fortunately defender Derek Foran deflected the shot which hit off of the crossbar and out of play.

Alvarez added to his impressive night with a perfectly placed left-footed free kick goal from 20 yards out in the 90th minute. Alvarez finished with the free-kick goal and two assists on the night. The match ended in a 5-0 victory for Republic FC and advanced them to the Third Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

"There are no easy games in football", said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle after his first U.S. Open Cup victory. "We made it pretty tough at times. We were very clinical from set plays right to the very end. I'm very pleased with Evan Newton's clean sheet."

Republic FC will host the Kitsap Pumas (PDL) in a U.S. Open Cup Third Round match on Wednesday, June 1. Kickoff is 8 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets to the match go on sale on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m.

Republic FC will host Liverpool FC U21s in a friendly match on Saturday, May 21. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets to the match are available at Ticketmaster.com.

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Images from this story

Sacramento Republic FC Celebrates a Goal vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
Sacramento Republic FC Celebrates a Goal vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
 Max Alvarez of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
Max Alvarez of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
 Mackenzie Pridham of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA
Mackenzie Pridham of Sacramento Republic FC vs. CD Aguiluchos USA

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