USL Week 14: Republic FC Regains Lead in Crowded West

June 22, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release

TAMPA, Fla. - The fight for first place out west took another twist as the USL Regular Season passed the midway point this weekend, as Sacramento Republic FC moved back to the top by defeating former conference-leader OKC Energy FC. Two points now separate the top five teams in the Western Conference, setting up a fascinating second half of the season.

FEATURED GAMES

Sacramento Republic FC 2, OKC Energy FC 1

A first professional goal by former New England Revolution Academy standout Gabe Gissie lifted Republic FC to victory against Energy FC in front of a sellout crowd at Bonney Field on Saturday night. Sacramento had to rally, as OKC took the lead on Danni König's ninth goal of the season, but an own goal shortly before halftime that snapped Energy FC's five-game league shutout streak got Republic FC back on level terms. Sacramento took victory with nine minutes to go, as the 18-year-old Gissie fired home an excellent finish into the left corner of the net to earn his side all three points.

Harrisburg City Islanders 1, Rochester Rhinos 1

The Rochester Rhinos' undefeated start to the season was threatened, but an 87th-minute goal by Christian Volesky earned the visitors a point at Skyline Sports Complex. Harrisburg took the lead late in the first half when Jason Plumhoff raced to beat Rhinos goalkeeper Adam Grinwis to a through-ball from Enric Valles and tapped a low finish home, and appeared set to continue its strong performances against the Rhinos, but Volesky's late cut and finish from 15 yards leveled the game with three minutes to go to put Rochester (8-0-5) one result away from tying its 14-game undefeated streak to start the 1998 season.

LA Galaxy II 3, Orange County Blues FC 0

Los Dos continued their remarkable run of form as goals by Dave Romney, Travis Bowen and Ariel Lassiter led to a sixth win out of six for LA against Orange County all time. Romney's first professional goal opened the scoring in the first half, and Bowen added a second at the hour mark as he headed home Andre Auras' corner kick. LA completed its victory late, as Raul Mendiola set up Lassiter with a clever slipped pass for his league-leading eighth assist of the season.

Charlotte Independence 2, Charleston Battery 1

Tomasz Zahorski scored in the final minute as the Independence opened Ramblewood Stadium with victory against the Battery. An open first half led to chances for both sides, but Charlotte took the lead just before the break as Ryan Finley scored his fourth goal of the season as he turned home Enzo Martinez's corner kick. Charleston scored from a corner kick of its own eight minutes into the second half as Jarad van Schaik's left-footed Olimpico from the right corner tucked in at the near post, but the Battery were denied a point as Jorge Herrera capped an outstanding week by setting up Zahorski for his first goal in the USL, which proved the winner.

QUOTABLE

"He has an unbelievable mentality for an 18-year-old kid. He comes to work every day. ... He's one of those players who never gives up. He's young and sometimes he is impatient. We're trying to make the right decision with him, make sure he grows properly. We're extremely happy with Gabe. He's a good kid, and he deserved the goal." - Sacramento Coach Preki on 18-year-old Gabe Gissie, whose first pro goal earned Republic FC a 2-1 win against OKC Energy FC

"He was good, he was very good. He's getting a little bit more comfortable playing in games. He's hasn't played in games in a while. He played in [FC Dallas'] game the other night which was in hand, didn't get many minutes. I think he's excited to be here, fits in our system well, and I was very pleased with him." - Arizona United SC Coach Michael Dellorusso on new loan addition Otis Earle, who set up Long Tan's winner in United's 2-1 win against Seattle on Saturday.

"We were actually very, very critical with the players this week. We weren't happy and we broke all their games down. We asked them to step up to the plate, and obviously they responded in a very, very positive way." - Vancouver Whitecap FC 2 Coach Alan Koch after his side claimed a 3-2 victory against Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday night

"We were starting to worry about our scoring-every-game record in about the 70th, which was a bit of extra motivation. As an offensive unit, we're really proud of that. So I'm glad we can keep it going." - Pittsburgh midfielder Kevin Kerr, whose goal lifted the Riverhounds to a 1-0 win against FC Montreal on Saturday

BY THE NUMBERS

100 - Colorado Springs' Shintaro Harada made his 100th appearance in the USL regular season on Friday night, joining teammate Luke Vercollone and 10 others who have reached the mark this season.

20 - Sacramento Republic FC recorded its 20th consecutive sellout in its victory against OKC Energy FC at Bonney Field on Saturday. Republic FC is 16-3-1 at Bonney Field in USL regular season and playoff contests.

20 - The Charlotte Independence's Jorge Herrera's assist on Tomasz Zahorski's goal against Charleston was his 20th in the USL.

6 - The LA Galaxy II have taken victory in all six meetings with Orange County Blues FC following Friday's 3-0 win at StubHub Center.

STANDINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Team GP W L T GF GA Pts

Rochester Rhinos 13 8 0 5 17 5 29

Richmond Kickers 15 6 2 7 22 15 25

Charleston Battery 14 6 2 6 22 16 24

Louisville City FC 13 5 3 5 20 12 20

New York Red Bulls II 14 5 5 4 20 21 19

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 13 5 4 4 28 23 19

Harrisburg City Islanders 11 4 3 4 20 18 16

Charlotte Independence 11 4 4 3 14 15 15

Saint Louis FC 12 3 4 5 13 14 14

Toronto FC II 10 2 5 3 9 19 9

Wilmington Hammerheads FC 13 1 7 5 9 20 8

FC Montreal 12 1 9 2 7 19 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Team GP W L T GF GA Pts

Sacramento Republic FC 15 8 6 1 25 18 25

LA Galaxy II 14 8 5 1 20 14 25

OKC Energy FC 13 7 3 3 21 15 24

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 13 8 5 0 26 16 24

Seattle Sounders FC 2 14 7 5 2 26 23 23

Portland Timbers 2 14 5 7 2 19 23 17

Austin Aztex 14 5 7 2 16 19 17

Orange County Blues FC 11 5 5 1 16 13 16

Arizona United SC 12 5 6 1 14 23 16

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 15 4 7 4 17 26 16

Tulsa Roughnecks FC 13 4 6 3 15 20 15

Real Monarchs SLC 13 1 7 5 13 22 8

RESULTS

Friday, June 19

Harrisburg City Islanders 1, Rochester Rhinos 1

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1, Saint Louis FC 0

LA Galaxy II 3, Orange County Blues FC 0

Saturday, June 20

Charlotte Independence 2, Charleston Battery 1

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1, FC Montreal 0

Richmond Kickers 0, Wilmington Hammerheads FC 0

New York Red Bulls II 2, Louisville City FC 0

Austin Aztex 1, Tulsa Roughnecks FC 1

Arizona United SC 2, Seattle Sounders FC 2 1

Sacramento Republic FC 2, OKC Energy FC 1

Sunday, June 21

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 3, Portland Timbers 2 2

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, June 24

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Orange County Blues FC, 9 p.m. ET

Thursday, June 25

FC Montreal vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 2:30 p.m. ET

Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC, 8:30 p.m. ET

Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 10:30 p.m. ET

Friday, June 26

Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers, 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, June 27

Rochester Rhinos vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7:05 p.m. ET

Charleston Battery vs. Harrisburg City Islanders, 7:30 p.m. ET

Louisville City FC vs. OKC Energy FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Toronto FC II vs. Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 8 p.m. ET

Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. LA Galaxy II, 8:30 p.m. ET

Saint Louis FC vs. New York Red Bulls II, 8:30 p.m. ET

Austin Aztex vs. Sacramento Republic FC, 8:30 p.m. ET

Orange County Blues FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 10 p.m. ET

Arizona United SC vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 10:30 p.m. ET

HOW TO FOLLOW

Every game of the 2015 USL season can be seen live, free and in HD on YouTube (www.Youtube.com/USL), with updates from across the league also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Sacramento FC in Action

United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 22, 2015

• Switchbacks Look for Another Home Win - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
• USL Week 14: Republic FC Regains Lead in Crowded West - USL

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