Sacramento Republic FC loses to San Jose Earthquakes
February 20, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento Republic FC Battle the San Jose Earthquakes
(Sacramento Republic FC)
Sacramento Republic FC fell 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Bonney Field in their second preseason friendly of 2016.
The Quakes enjoyed possession in the first few minutes of the match, but it was Republic FC who would get on the score sheet first when in just the 8th minute midfielder Max Alvarez sped up the right wing and sent in a flat cross for forward Mackenzie Pridham, who sent the ball into the back of the net to put Republic FC ahead 1-0.
The Earthquakes responded by slowing down the pace of the match trying to break through Republic FC's defense but Sacramento did well to absorb the pressure and stop any dangerous plays from San Jose.
In the 18th minute Republic FC had their second serious attack of the match. On a counter attack Pridham found midfielder Octavio Guzman with a through ball. Guzman then sent a cross to forward Thomas Stewart, but his shot was just wide of Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham. During the play, Earthquakes' midfielder Cordell Cato went down with no contact and had to be subbed off in the 20th minute, with midfielder Tommy Thompson coming on in his place.
In the second half, San Jose came out revitalized looking for the equalizer. The Earthquakes' continuous pressure paid off in the 51st minute when Thompson shook off Republic FC's defense and sent in a great cross to forward Quincy Amarikwa who tapped the ball past Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton to tie the game 1-1.
In the 55th minute, Thompson again slipped past the Republic FC defense, but this time the backline was able to clear the ball out of danger. Republic FC responded right after, with defender Emrah Klimenta finding an unmarked Guzman right outside the 18-yard box but Guzman's shot went straight to Bingham.
Both teams had a few good looks on goal afterwards, with a great chance for Republic FC in the 71st minute when San Jose's defense failed to clear a ball and Alvarez found himself unmarked just outside the 18-yard box but the Republic FC midfielder couldn't get a good shot on goal.
The Earthquakes would take the lead in the 86th minute when Amarikwa sent in a powerful header past Newton after a cross from Earthquakes' defender Kip Colvey. The score put the Quakes ahead 2-1 for good.
"It felt good to get my first goal at Bonney Field in front of the fans," said Pridham following the match. "I think our team put on a good performance and showed what we are building for the season."
Republic FC is back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 24, when they take on Sacramento State. The match will be played at Hornet Field on the campus of Sacramento State and kicks off at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale at csus.edu/hornettickets.
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