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USL Sacramento Republic FC

Three Takeaways from #SACvNM

May 5, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


Republic FC played to their second straight draw at home Wednesday evening, staying unbeaten at Heart Health Park this season. While the boys in Old Glory Red felt they should have taken all three in the contest, a few positives still provided Sacramento with something to feel good about heading into a Sunday trip to visit New York Red Bulls II.

New Look on Defense

For the first time this season, Sacramento took full advantage of its extremely deep backline core, starting Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, and Conor Donovan on the back line with Duke Lacroix and Jack Gurr on the wings. A move meant to take advantage of a strength and provide an extra bit of help to the midfielders on the attack paid off in a big way, resulting in the club's first clean sheet in league play this season.

The formation kept at bay the dangerous Neco Brett, who was held to just a single shot on three touches inside the penalty area. It also allowed the club to be more threatening on the outside, where Duke Lacroix and Jack Gurr were excellent in transition, advancing into the final third a combined eight times.

More and More Chances to Score

While not a 25 shot performance like the club's Saturday draw with Las Vegas, Sacramento put plenty of pressure on New Mexico on the attack, generating seven scoring chances and five looks from close range. Jack Gurr and Rodrigo Lopez were very active on the outside, dropping in service to the club's attackers a combined 14 times; In the first half, Gurr nearly came away with two assists, putting through excellent balls in the 7th and 30th minute that Douglas Martinez and Rafael Jauregui were unable to reach. A Dan Casey header nearly found him one in the second half, before he was lifted in the 82nd minute for Ferrety Sousa. Lopez finished the match with 10 crosses in and two chances created.

Young Rafa, in the Starting XI

The draw marked an exciting first for 17-year-old Rafael Jauregui, who made his first appearance in the starting lineup in front of a home crowd at Heart Health Park - each of his two career starts prior to Wednesday had come on the road, one against Tacoma Defiance in 2020 and another last season against Real Monarchs SLC.

After a strong performance off the bench against Las Vegas, Jauregui was thrust in up top alongside Douglas Martinez and performed admirably, providing another threat the visitors needed to give attention to. The homegrown product created one chance on the night and connected on a few opportunities with Rodrigo Lopez, helping the Indomitable Club advance the ball throughout the match.

"I'm glad to make my first professional start at home," he said. "The result wasn't what we wanted it to be. [But] I had a lot of people here from my family and friends to support me so that's important to me as well. Being close to family here... It's one of the best things of being a part of this club."

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