USL Sacramento Republic FC

Sacramento Republic FC vs Orange County Blues FC Preview

Published on August 23, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Sacramento Republic FC (11-6-7, 40 pts) travel south to take on Orange County Blues FC (10-11-4, 34 pts) on Wednesday, August 24. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday and YouTube.com/USL.

This is the third of four matches between Republic FC and the Blues this season. Orange County won the first match 1-0 at Bonney Field on Apr. 30 and the two sides battled to a 3-3 draw on July 10. The all-time series is split, with each team winning three matches and two draws. Despite the all-time series being even, Republic FC's last victory over the Blues was a 6-1 win on Aug. 17, 2014.

Republic FC enter the match on a five-match unbeaten streak after a 4-0 win over Portland Timbers 2 on Aug. 20. Republic FC have recorded four goals in each of their last two matches, the first time Republic FC has scored four or more goals in consecutive matches. This match begins a stretch of five consecutive matches against USL Western Conference playoff contenders.

Midfielder Danny Barrera recorded his USL-leading eighth assist of the season against T2 on Saturday. Barrera tied Rodrigo Lopez' single season record for assists which Lopez set with eight in 2014. Barrera is four assists shy of Republic FC's all-time USL-assist record, also held by Lopez.

Forward Cameron Iwasa scored his club-leading tenth goal of the season on Saturday. Iwasa became the third player to record at least 10 goals in a single season, joining Tommy Stewart who scored 11 in 2014 and Lopez who scored 10 in both 2014 and 2015. Iwasa has scored three goals in the last two matches, his second such streak this season. He scored three goals in two matches between June 11 and June 18.

Midfielder Tommy Thompson recorded a goal and an assist against T2. Thompson has recorded three goals and three assists on the season, including a goal and three assists in his last two appearances.

The Blues come into the match winning four of their last six matches, including a 2-0 win over LA Galaxy II in their last match on Aug. 20. The Blues have been very streaky this season with all of their wins coming in groups. Orange County had a three-match winning streak between Apr. 16 and May 8, then won three out of five matches between June 4 and July 2 and have won four of their last six matches since July 30.

Orange County is led by their co-leading scorers Trevin Caesar and Didier Crettenand, as well as defender Roy Meeus. Caesar and Crettenand have each scored seven goals this season, with Crettenand adding an assist. Meeus has proven a strong offensive option for the Blues, scoring four goals and leading the club in assists with four.

Former Republic FC midfielder Ivan Mirkoviæ will face his former team for the third time since being transferred to the Blues on Apr. 1. Mirkoviæ has started both of the previous matches against Republic FC, playing a combined 170 minutes. He is currently second on the Blues in minutes (1,725) and leads the club in both fouls (51) and cautions (7).

With a win or a draw on Wednesday, Republic FC would retake sole possession of first place in the USL Western Conference. Republic FC is currently in a tie for first place with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, their opponent at Bonney Field on Saturday, Aug. 27.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 23, 2016


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