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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC victorious

March 26, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 Go High for the Ball
Sacramento Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 Go High for the Ball
(Sacramento Republic FC)

Stewart's penalty is enough as Republic FC earn first victory of 2016 USL season.

Sacramento Republic FC kicked off their 2016 USL season on Friday with a bang, earning three road points against Seattle Sounders FC 2 in their first match-up of the season with a 1-0 win.

Sacramento Republic FC started the match with constant, sustained pressure on the Seattle Sounders FC 2 defense. In just the 5th minute, Republic FC earned their first chance of the night as forward Thomas Stewart worked his way past the S2 defense on the left side of the box and sent a cross in front of goal towards Danny Barrera and Adam Jahn, who were both sprinting up the pitch. Both Barrera and Jahn slid toward the ball, but the cross bounced just past both players' reach and rolled harmlessly past the goal.

Despite the early chance for Republic FC, the match quickly leveled out for both sides, with the majority of the play contained to the middle of the pitch for the first half and few looks for either side toward goal.

S2's best look at goal came in the 42nd minute when forward Aaron Kovar received the ball on a breakaway on the right side of the pitch. Kovar slowed near the right corner of the box, stepped over the ball a few times before firing a strong left footed shot toward goal, but Republic FC goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek was in position to easily save the ball and preserve the empty scoreline.

The second half started slower than the first half with both clubs looking to gain an advantage. S2 had the first solid look on goal in the 48th minute when forward Darwin Jones beat the defense down the left side of the pitch, but were unable to score. Jones took the ball to the endline near the edge of the six-yard box before sending a shot toward the top left corner of the goal. The shot had good pace, but was just high and wide right of the goal.

Republic FC finally broke the scoreless deadlock in the 63rd minute. Jahn was taken down on the right side of the box while trying to run down a through ball, earning Republic FC a penalty kick. Stewart stepped up to take the penalty and sent a strong low shot to the right and past S2 keeper Charlie Lyon, who dove to the left, giving Republic FC a 1-0 lead.

S2 looked to respond with a constant barrage of attacks, but were unable to break through Republic FC's strong defense. S2's best chance of the second half came in the 76th minute. Kovar received the ball behind the defense on the left side. The forward pushed the ball toward goal and just outside of the box tried to slide a cross to the middle but the ball was deflected toward goal. Jakubek who had been moving to defend the cross was able to quickly change direction, diving back to his right and making the save to preserve his shutout.

"We are a family," said Jakubek following the match. "We all believe in each other, we work for each other, there are no egos. If we can stay close knit and keep playing that family football we can do it again."

Republic FC return home to host Arizona United SC in their 2016 USL Home Opener on Saturday, Apr. 2 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

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Images from this story

Sacramento Republic FC Closes in on Seattle Sounders FC 2
Sacramento Republic FC Closes in on Seattle Sounders FC 2
 Seattle Sounders FC 2 Controls the Ball vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Seattle Sounders FC 2 Controls the Ball vs. Sacramento Republic FC
 Sacramento Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 Go High for the Ball
Sacramento Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 Go High for the Ball



United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 26, 2016


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