Sports stats



USL Sacramento Republic FC

Second half strikes from Skundrich and Iwasa secure come-from-behind victory

August 23, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


SACRAMENTO, California - A resilient Republic FC side stormed back from a goal down at home to prevail 2-1 over Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday night at Papa Murphy's Park.

The win not only secured all three points to keep the Indomitable Club firmly in contention for the top spot in Group A and hot on Reno 1868 FC's tail, but the triumph also upped SRFC's winning streak to four straight games.

The visitors took an early lead in the 23rd minute when Jorge Gonzalez hammered a close-range attempt into the back of the net to gift the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

The goal was just the second time in five games Rafael Diaz - who recently was honored with Save of the Week - has been beaten in net all season. Diaz made a pair of stellar stops in the first half to keep his side within one strike of Timbers 2. Rafa was a rock in net during the second half as well, finishing the night with four saves to help preserve the comeback win.

Republic FC were unable to beat the visiting goalkeeper in the opening 45 minutes, but Mark Briggs' men did manage to create six chances and none better than just a few minutes before the break when Cameron Iwasa's shot from inside the box was saved by T2's Hunter Sulte.

The boys in Old Glory Red thought they equalized in the 52nd minute when Drew Skundrich's right-footed effort collided with the 'keeper and bounced towards what looked like the corner of the net but the shot kissed the inside of the woodwork and sailed directly into the Portland GK's hands.

But on the hour mark, Ashkanov Apollon - who earned his first career USL Team of the Week selection this past week - rifled a low cross from the left flank into the box that made its way to Skundrich who steered his first touch into goal and tally his second strike of the season. Ash was credited with the assist that leveled the match at one-all - the first assist off his Sacramento career.

Republic FC then secured its first lead of the match in the 69th minute when Jordan McCrary delivered a sensational ball into space for Iwasa to slam by Sulte and score the eventual game-winner. Kharlton Belmar spotted an open McCrary who quickly provided a dangerous ball back into Portland's box that the Sacramento native simply guided into net for his 51st career goal - 49th with the Indomitable Club.

In the 84th minute, Shannon Gomez made his first appearance since August 2019 when the defender entered the match for Belmar.

Next up for Republic FC is a second straight game against Timbers 2 but the upcoming fixture between the Group A rivals will be played in the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The midweek matchup will be the third of four regular season games between SRFC and T2 with the final showdown set for October 3 in Sacramento.

Sacramento Republic FC 2-1 Portland Timbers 2

USL Championship

Papa Murphy's Park, Sacramento, CA

August 22, 2020

Scoring Summary: POR - Jorge Gonzalez (Jose Anguiano) 23'; SAC - Drew Skundrich (Ashkanov Apollon) 60', Cameron Iwasa (Jordan McCrary) 69'.

Misconduct Summary: SAC - Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 45', Ashkanov Apollon (caution) 82'; POR - Aaron Molloy (caution) 75'

Sacramento Republic FC - Rafael Diaz; Ashkanov Apollon, Hayden Sargis, Tomas Hilliard-Arce (Matt Mahoney 45'), Jordan McCrary, Rodrigo Lopez, Drew Skundrich©, Dariusz Formella, Villyan Bijev (Sam Werner 70'), Kharlton Belmar (Shannon Gomez 84'), Cameron Iwasa (Mario Penagos 84').

Unused substitutes: Diego Ramos, Rafael Jauregui, Jaime Villarreal.

Stats - Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 4, Fouls: 11, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 3.

Portland Timbers 2 -Hunter Sulte;Harold Hanson, Mamadou Danso (Mitchell Ferguson 78'), Aedan Stanley, Aaron Molloy, Jose Anguiano, Max Ornstil, Marcus Epps ©, Salvador Villegas, Giovanni Calixtro, Jorge Gonzalez (Gerardo Duran 85').

Unused substitutes: Jake Leeker, Isaac Homer, Cullen Wilkerson.

Stats - Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 3, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 2.

Check out the Sacramento Republic FC Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 23, 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