USL Sacramento Republic FC

Three Takeaways from #SACvLV

Published on September 7, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


The Indomitable Club came from behind for the second time in as many matches against Lights FC on Sunday. Julian Chavez's second professional score, and a key returnee to the starting lineup helped Sacramento to three points against Las Vegas for the fourth time this season.

Second Half Adjustments

More aggression up top was key to the Indomitable Club's second half comeback after struggling to threaten in the attacking third early on. After a few changes at the break, Mark Briggs men put four of nine shots on target, scored three times, and kept the hosts without a shot on target.

Just as they did earlier in the season the Republic FC bench came ready to go, with Julian Chavez and Kharlton Belmar providing an immediate spark after entering at half time. Alongside Jerome Kiesewetter, who came on in the 80th minute, Sacramento substitutes combined to create six scoring chances in the second half, keeping Las Vegas defenders on their heels all night.

I felt Kharlton [Belmar] was extremely positive and took his defenders on well, said Coach Mark Briggs. "And Juju was positive, too- he was fighting for the ball, and he showed a desire that you need and that we all want to have when representing this club."

Julian Chavez

The 19 year old academy product came off the bench to provide an instant impact on Sunday. Coming on for Mario Penagos at halftime, Chavez put up three shots and made two key passes as Republic FC stormed back from a 1-0 deficit. Chavez also netted his second career goal in the 88th minute- a spectacular shot from just outside the penalty box that curled in from the right.

"I knew I had to change the game when I came in," Chavez said. "Especially because we were still down 1-0. They came and told me at the half when I was warming up and I knew I had to make a difference."

Welcome back to the Starting XI

Sacramento welcomed two players back to the starting lineup on Sunday. Maalique Foster made his first start of the season for Sacramento after appearing as a substitute in each of the last four matches, and Luis Felipe rejoined the starting XI after missing the club's meeting with Galaxy II. For the contest, Foster led Republic FC starters with 89% passing accuracy, while also making his first start in USL play since June of 2019. Felipe netted his third score of the season in the 73rd minute- a deadly strike that came after a chance from Cam Iwasa was cleared out into space.

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