Sacramento, Calif. (May 11,2022) – Republic FC knocked Phoenix Rising FC out of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup on a 2-0 win Wednesday night, sending the Indomitable Club to the Round of 16 for the third time.
A stingy defensive effort kept strong chances from the visitors out of net all evening long, while Republic FC stayed diligent on the offensive end to find the victory. Sacramento logged their third straight clean sheet performance in the victory, preventing Phoenix from advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in club history.
An eventful first half saw both squads threaten – Sacramento put Phoenix on their heels in the early with two good looks in the 11th and 25thminutes, but couldn’t put either attempt on target. Sacramento would grab control of the match after Luis Felipe found the back of the net in the 30th minute, punching one through off an assist from Matt LaGrassa.
Phoenix would fire away with 21 shots, but only six found their way on target – with Danny Vitiello besting the Arizona club to keep them scoreless. A massive 42nd minute penalty double save caused the crowd to erupt, fueling the match intensity. The save was Sacramento’s second penalty stop of 2022 – Carlos Saldana kept out El Paso Locomotive FC’s Richie Ryan on opening night back in March.
Sacramento was excellent defensively all evening long. Mark Briggs’ backline kept out good looks on 8 Phoenix corners, six of which came in the first half. Sacramento defenders stepped up big in the second half while the club struggled to find space in the attacking third, clearing out threat after threat – Phoenix registered 9 shots on 30 entries into the final third to close things out but was unable to find a score.
Mark Briggs’ men began to put the hosts on their heels in the final ten minutes, finding chances on set piece opportunities. The club’s diligence paid off when an Emil Cuello corner in the 88th minute was headed home by Douglas Martinez to put the game away.
Sacramento will learn their Round of 16 opponent on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., when U.S. Soccer conducts the draw for the next round on ESPN+. Following the draw, Sacramento turns their attention to their next league match, set for next Wednesday against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News App, and streaming on ESPN+.
Sacramento Republic 2 – 0 Phoenix Rising FC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
May 11, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Luis Felipe (Matt LaGrassa) 30’, Douglas Martinez (Emil Cuello) 88’ PHX – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 27’, Duke Lacroix (caution) 52’, Lee Desmond (caution) 63’, Zeiko Lewis (caution) 80’, PHX – Baboucarr Nije (caution) 22’, Greg Hurst (caution) 49’, Marcus Epps (caution) 51’, Darnell King (caution) 56’, Sivert Haugli (caution) 72’,
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Jack Gurr, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Duke Lacroix (Damia Viader 90+3’), Matt LaGrassa (Emil Cuello 66’), Luis Felipe, Zeiko Lewis (Luther Archimede 82’), Rodrigo Lopez (C), Douglas Martinez
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldana, Maalique Foster, Rafa Jauregui, Keko Gontan,
Stats – Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 6, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 0
Phoenix Rising FC: Ben Lundt, Manuel Madrid, Sivert Haugli , Darnell King (C) (Luis Seijas 75’), Baboucarr Nije (Ryan Flood 75’), Santi Moar (Claudio Repetto 79’), Carlos Anguiano (Joe Farrell 87’), Marcus Epps, Arturo Rodriguez, Greg Hurst, Joey Calistri
Unused substitutes: Richmond Antwi, Edward Delgado, Jonathan Levin
Stats – Shots: 21, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 3, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 8, Offsides: 0
