USL Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC Tops Reno 1868 FC 1-0

Published on August 13, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The Indomitable Club claim a third consecutive clean sheet following Wednesday night's win with Bijev bagging the game-winner from the penalty spot

RENO, Nevada - Republic FC will return to Sacramento with all three points for the second straight away game after downing Reno 1868 FC 1-0 on Wednesday night in Nevada.

Goalkeeper Rafael Diaz manned the net for the boys in Old Glory Red for the third consecutive contest and the SRFC shot-stopper came up big with five saves on the night to preserve the shutout - the fourth clean sheet for the Indomitable Club this season. The last Republic FC GK to claim three straight shutouts was over two years ago when Josh Cohen blanked a trio of teams from June 3, 2018 to June 14, 2018 - OCSC, Phoenix, Fresno.

Of Rafa's saves, none were more crucial than in the dying moments of the match when a Jared Timmer looked destined to drop just under the crossbar before Diaz swatted the defender's effort over the woodwork.

With the win and by maintaining another clean sheet, it has now been 289 minutes since Republic FC last surrendered a goal.

Both sides exchanged a number of chances in the first half with Diaz denying 1868 FC an early lead on a number of occasions, but the deadlock was finally broken just seconds before the break when Sacramento was awarded penalty after the referee pointed to the spot. Villyan Bijev stepped up and after a quick stutter step, slammed his shot inside the right post to lift his side to a 1-0 lead.

Mark Briggs' men were tested by the hosts all night, but the defense - and Diaz - simply would not break. A one-handed save from the netminder in the 61st kept Reno off the board, bringing a halt to Reno's three-game win streak.

The Indomitable Club return to Sacramento for the first of two consecutive home matches when Tacoma Defiance visit Papa Murphy's Park this weekend for the second of four regular season fixtures between the two Group A squads. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT on Saturday night.

Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 Reno 1868 FC

USL Championship Match

Greater Nevada Field, Reno, Nevada

August 12, 2020

Scoring Summary:SAC - Villyan Bijev PK 45'

Misconduct Summary:SAC - Jordan McCrary (caution) 21', Hayden Sargis (caution) 38', Dekel Keinan (caution) 56', Villyan Bijev (caution) 71', Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 75'); RNO - Kevin Partida (caution) 80', Mo Dabo (caution) 82'.

Sacramento Republic FC - Rafael Diaz; Ashkanov Apollon, Hayden Sargis (Dekel Keinan 45'), Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Jordan McCrary, Jaime Villarreal (Rodrigo Lopez 68'), Drew Skundrich ©, Sam Werner (Dariusz Formella 67'), Villyan Bijev, Kharlton Belmar (Julian Chavez 90'), Cameron Iwasa.

Unused substitutes: Diego Ramos, Shannon Gomez, Mario Penagos.

Stats- Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 5, Fouls: 17, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 0.

Reno 1868 FC- Ben Beaury; Brent Richards ©, Jared Timmer, Thomas Janjigian, Sam Gleadle; Sergio Rivas, Kevin Partida (Aidan Apodaca 81'), Tucker Bone (Ayrton Statie 57'), Christiano Francois, Benjamin Kikanovic (Foster Langsdorf 57'), Corey Hertzog (Mo Dabo 81').

Unused substitutes: Eric De La Cerda, Younes Boudadi, Emilio Ycaza.

Stats- Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 3, Fouls: 11, Corner Kicks: 10, Offsides: 0.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 13, 2020


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central