Republic FC Splits Points with Las Vegas Lights FC
August 8, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC midfielder Drew Skundrich (center) against Las Vegas Lights FC
(Sacramento Republic FC)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Rafael Diaz made a last-minute diving save to preserve Republic FC's clean sheet and help Republic FC record a point from their Wednesday night matchup against Las Vegas Lights FC at Papa Murphy's Park.
The boys in Old Glory Red managed to carve out a number of decent chances, but couldn't quite find the finishing touches. Defensively, however, there were positives to take away as Republic FC recorded their fourth shutout from their past seven games.
SRFC's first real chance came in the 22nd minute when a trio of headers ricocheted from Sam Werner to Stefano Bonomo and lastly to Cameron Iwasa whose final touch went directly into the hands of the former Republic FC keeper Thomas Olsen.
Ten minutes later, Iwasa had his second scoring chance of the half after receiving a perfectly weighted through ball from Jaime Villarreal, but his shot was saved by a diving Olsen.
In the 80th minute, defender Juan Barahona whipped in a cross from the far left flank that found an open Werner who pushed his header just over the crossbar.
Republic FC held the Sin City club to just a single shot on target across 90 minutes. The lone chance for Eric Wynalda's side came in the closing moments, which a diving Rafa Diaz brushed to the side and preserved the clean sheet. The shutout was the first for Diaz this season.
Wednesday's match also saw the debut of Polish playmaker and new Republic FC signing Dariusz Formella who entered the match in the 77th minute and looked bright during his time on the pitch.
The draw places Republic FC seventh in the Western Conference with 31 points from 22 games played. Next up for the club is a home bout against Colorado Springs Switchbacks next Saturday, August 17.
Sacramento Republic FC 0-0 Las Vegas Lights FC
USL Championship Match
Papa Murphy's Park, Sacramento, California
August 7, 2019 - Attendance: 10,431
Scoring Summary: None.
Misconduct Summary: LV - Christian Torres (caution) 26, Irvin Parra (caution) 31, Tabort Preston Etaka (caution) 70; SAC - Keven Aleman (caution) 32, Matt Mahoney (caution) 46, Juan Barahona (caution) 87.
Sacramento Republic FC - Rafael Diaz; Matt Mahoney, Mitchell Taintor, Charalampos Chantzopoulos, Juan Barahona; Drew Skundrich (Hayden Partain 73), Jaime Villarreal, Keven Aleman (Dariusz Formella 77), Sam Werner; Cameron Iwasa, Stefano Bonomo.
Subs Not Used: Diego Ramos, Elliott Hord, Hayden Sargis, Mario Penagos, Tyler Blackwood.
Stats - Shots: 10, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 1, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 2.
Las Vegas Lights FC - Thomas Olsen; Gabe Robinson, Christian Torres, Javan Torre, Kevin Garcia Lopez; Vinnie Vermeer (Jesus Gonzalez 90), Pablo Cruz (Tabort Preston Etaka 61), Junior Sandoval; Irvin Parra, Santiago Echavarria (Edwin Rivas 61), Jose Villarreal.
Subs Not Used: Adam Hobbs, Bryan de la Fuente, Panzani Sousa, Victor Rojas.
Stats - Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 1, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 1.
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