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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Scoreless draw closes out the season series with Tacoma, inching Sacramento up the table one spot

October 17, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


SACRAMENTO, California - Republic FC played to a 0-0 draw with Tacoma Defiance on Sunday, the final meeting of the season between divisional foes. Sacramento did well to threaten on the afternoon, but was unable to find the net despite keeping the visitors on their heels for most of the second half.

Good defensive work from Tacoma would keep Sacramento relatively quiet in the first half, but Republic FC was meticulous up top, keeping 55% possession and posting five shots. Good pressure from Maalique Foster in the 15th minute put Tacoma on their heels, but Foster's would be flagged for a foul after colliding with goalkeeper Christian Herrera.

A big defensive stop from Duke Lacroix would keep things scoreless shortly after a long injury stoppage for Tacoma's Randy Mendoza in the 36th minute. The defender's leaping attempt blocked Tacoma's only shot attempt in the first half, from midfielder Juan Alvarez. Republic FC countered with numbers directly afterward, but after fielding a cross from Cam Iwasa, Darek Formella's attempt went wide to the left.

Moments later, Emil Cuello nearly put Sacramento up 1-0 heading into the locker room at half, but his rocket from outside the 18 would go just high. Cuello finished the contest with a team high 5 shots while also completing 89% of his pass attempts and creating one scoring chance

"I thought the performance, moving of the ball, playing in between lines, getting into the final third was all what it needed to be," said Coach Mark Briggs. "But that final piece was missing."

Tacoma came close to breaking the stalemate just after the break. A great look for Defiance from Ray Serrano challenged Republic FC goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña, but his shot would go just high of the crossbar.

Sacramento continued to knock on the door in the second half. Darek Formella carried in to the penalty box before his shot deflected out of bounds for a corner in the 67th minute, and Kharlton Belmar nearly opened the scoring a minute later after beating two defenders, but his attempt would go just wide.

As time ticked down, Republic FC continued to knock on the door but was unable to break through. A great chance from Jaime Villarreal- who made his 100th career appearance with Sacramento in the contest, tying him for third all-time- in the 72nd minute was undone by good defending form Tacoma, and a Cam Iwasa header in the 86th was be swallowed up by Tacoma's goalkeeper to keep things tied.

Republic FC will hit the road next week for their final road match of the 2021 season, a meeting with division leader Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. from Chandler, AZ and the match will be broadcast live on KQCA My58, Estrella TV Sacramento, and ESPN+.

Sacramento Republic FC 0 - 0 Tacoma Defiance

USL Championship

Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

October 17, 2021

Scoring Summary: SAC-None TAC- None

Misconduct Summary: SAC -Maalique Foster (caution) 15', Iwasa (caution) 73', Luis Felipe (caution) 89' TAC - Randy Mendoza (caution) 43'

Sacramento Republic FC: Carlos Saldaña, Shannon Gomez (JuJu Chavez 80'), Nabi Kibunguchy, Dan Casey (Hayden Sargis 75'), Duke Lacroix (C), Jaime Villarreal (Patrick Weah 88'), Luis Felipe, Darek Formella, Emil Cuello, Maalique Foster (Kharlton Belmar 45'), Cam Iwasa

Unused substitutes: Rafa Diaz, Pete Pennanen, Jordan McCrary

Stats - Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 2, Fouls: 10, Corner Kicks: 9, Offsides: 3

Tacoma Defiance: Christian Herrera, Tom Brewitt, Taylor Mueller (C), Jackson Ragen, Randy Mendoza (Alexander Villanueva 44'), Cody Baker (Joe Hafferty 78'), Carlos Anguiano, Oben Vargas (Reed Baker-Whiting 78'), Alec Diaz (Ray Serrano 45'), Samuel Adeniran (Daniel Robles 87'), Juan Alvarez (Marlon Vargas 73')

Unused substitutes: Cole Kulhanek

Stats - Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 2, Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 2

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

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