USL Sacramento Republic FC

Republic FC Ends Preseason with 3-2 Victory over Monterey Bay FC

Published on March 5, 2022 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


SACRAMENTO, California -Sacramento closed out their 2022 exhibition slate Saturday, defeating USL Championship newcomer Monterey Bay FC 3-2 in a preseason friendly at Heart Health Park.

The Boys in Old Glory Red controlled the match from the opening whistle, dominating possession with ease and doing well to take advantage of errant touches from the visitors. Two early chances set the tone - including an excellent cross from Douglas Martinez Jr. to Emil Cuello that was deflected away by Monterey Bay's backline just two minutes in.

Republic FC got on the board first. After finding space just outside the penalty area, midfielder Matt LaGrassa passed up a chance at goal, instead dishing the ball left to Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez curled in a beauty past Monterey Goalkeeper Rafa Diaz to give Sacramento a 1-0 lead just 11th minutes in. The score was Lopez's team-leading fourth goal preseason play. Sacramento manufactured another excellent chance just four minutes later, when defender Jack Gurr carried down the right flank and put in a well-placed cross to Douglas Martinez in the middle.

Monterey would go without a chance until the half-hour mark, when a foul from Jack Gurr gave the visitors a set piece opportunity. On the counter, Sacramento found the net again. After a good opportunity from Douglas Martinez was blocked by Monterey's backline, great work moving the ball up top set up Emil Cuello, who buried one from close range on an assist from Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez nearly bagged a second score just moments later, but his shot would go just wide of the target.

"I was really happy with some of the attacking play," said Head Coach Mark Briggs. "Especially the speed of the ball and the movement of our front five or six. We scored three very good goals; I was really happy with the pressure. We showed a lot of good things."

The visitors didn't go into the break quietly. Monterey Bay would break Sacramento's clean sheet in the 43rd minute on a recycled set piece. However, Republic FC got one back just after the break. After the referee flagged Monterey for a foul in the penalty area, Douglas Martinez stepped to the spot and put in the third of the day for Mark Briggs' men.

Even with three on the board, Sacramento continued to manufacture chances. High press from Rodrigo Lopez allowed him to intercept an errant pass and get two strong chances on goal with little pressure, but great stops by Diaz kept the visitors deficit at two.

Monterey would fight back for another in the 63rd minute, finding the net after a creative move to get past goalkeeper Carlos Saldana. The score gave the club some momentum, who put some pressure on Sacramento's backline as time ticked down.

Republic FC's will be back in action next Saturday, when they take on El Paso Locomotive FC in the club's USL Championship season opener. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 PM, and the match will be broadcast live on 40.2 Antenna TV in English and Spanish, as well as streaming live on the Fox40 mobile app, on smart televisions and through FOX40.com. The match will also be available on ESPN+. Fans can purchase tickets to the match at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets.

Sacramento Republic FC 3 - 2 Monterey Bay FC

Preseason Friendly

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

March 5, 2022

Scoring Summary: SAC-Rodrigo Lopez (Matt LaGrassa) 11', Emil Cuello (Rodrigo Lopez) 34', Douglas Martinez Jr. (penalty) 50' MB-43', 63'

Misconduct Summary: SAC -Douglas Martinez (caution) 63', Nick Ross (caution) 82', Rafa Jauregui (caution) 85' MB - 43' 76'

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

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