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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Republic FC score two goals, earn fourth shutout of the season

May 8, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC Defends against LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC Defends against LA Galaxy II
(Sacramento Republic FC)

Sacramento Republic FC broke their goal drought on Saturday, capturing a vital three road points against previously undefeated LA Galaxy II in a 2-0 win. Republic FC came out of the gates early, looking to break their recent scoring drought and found an early goal from the right foot of Emrah Klimenta. In the 16th minute, LA Galaxy II was whistled for a handball about 25 yards away from goal at the top of the box. Klimenta stepped up to take the free kick and sent a curling right-footed strike that Los Dos keeper Clement Diop had no hope of stopping as the ball found the top right corner of the goal to put Republic FC ahead 1-0 early.

Los Dos seemed inspired by the early goal and raced to find an equalizer, although Republic FC's backline continued to hold them off. In the 27th minute forward Ariel Lassiter started the best chance of the half for Galaxy II. Lassiter played a one-two down the right side of the field with Denzel Slager. After receiving the ball back from Slager, Lassiter raced down the right side of the box before sending a grounded cross toward forward Jack McBean who was running down the middle. The cross, however, was spoiled by defender Derek Foran who slid in at the last second allowing goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek to make an easy save, preserving the 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Republic FC once again found an early goal against Los Dos. In the 62nd minute Klimenta was played open on the right side by forward Thomas Stewart. Klimenta took the ball down to the right side of the box before playing it back into the middle and Stewart. The forward flicked Klimenta's pass behind him to Harry Williams, who took the pass and calmly slotted the ball past Diop and into the net to double Republic FC's lead to 2-0.

It was all Republic FC defense from that point on, with the back four of James Kiffe, Foran, Chris Christian and Klimenta standing strong in front of Jakubek in goal. In the 69th minute Los Dos looked as if they might have found a goal when substitute midfielder Raul Mendiola sent the ball down the right side to Lassiter who had run behind the defense. Lassiter then went one-on-one with Jakubek who ran out to meet the forward. Just as Lassiter attempted a left-footed strike, Jakubek went into a slide to make the save and preserve his clean sheet.

Jakubek again made a big save in the 78th minute when McBean took down a long ball at the top of the box. The forward then laid the ball off to substitute midfielder José Villarreal who cut the ball past the defense before playing it to his right and a wide-open Mendiola. Jakubek again came out fearlessly to combat the one-on-one situation and again made a sliding save.

The best chance for a Galaxy II goal came a minute into stoppage time when McBean was taken down at the top of the box, about 20 yards from goal. McBean lined up a free kick and sent a strong strike over the wall and toward goal. McBean's shot got over the hand of Jakubek but hit the crossbar and bounced harmlessly away, giving Republic FC the win and their fourth shutout of the season.

"Tonight was absolutely phenomenal," said Klimenta following the match. "To win in this fashion, against our rival was great. We were big on defense and it shows with our stats. Defense leads to great offense and hopefully we can continue to keep clean sheets and put balls in the back of the net."

Republic FC returns home on Saturday, May 14 to take on Seattle Sounders FC 2 for the first of four straight home USL matches. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

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Images from this story

Sacramento Republic FC vs. LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC vs. LA Galaxy II
 Sacramento Republic FC Battles LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC Battles LA Galaxy II
 Sacramento Republic FC Celebrates a Goal vs. LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC Celebrates a Goal vs. LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC Defends against LA Galaxy II
Sacramento Republic FC Defends against LA Galaxy II
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 8, 2016


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