Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC secured a 2-0 victory on Sunday afternoon, besting Las Vegas Lights FC in the two sides’ final contest of the 2023 season. Sacramento remains in first place in the Western Conference with the win, moving to 58 points in the table.
The 2-0 win was accompanied by a historic occasion in front of a capacity crowd on Youth Soccer Day at Heart Health Park. In the 87th minute of the match, Republic FC forward Da’vian Kimbrough entered for Keko, becoming the youngest professional soccer player to debut in a competitive match aged 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days. Kimbrough becomes the youngest professional athlete in American team sports; the next youngest being New York City FC 2’s Maximo Carizzo in 2022.
Sacramento generated ample chances to score in the early goings, but the contest went into the break deadlocked at 0-0. Republic FC tallied seven shots in the first half, but none went on target as Las Vegas worked to disrupt the flow of the match. Aldair Sanchez saw a good opportunity ten minutes in, but the Washington native’s attempt was blocked, and late in the half, Sebastian Herrera nearly found net only for a strong header to go just wide.
Sacramento came out with a chance early in the second half. Building up the right flank, Keko served a cross to Russell Cicerone, who headed it on target only for the attempt to be saved. The club broke the scoreless tie ten minutes later when Keko netted his third of the year after combining with Sebastian Herrera in the middle of the pitch. The Spaniard nearly netted a brace in the 70th minute – but his effort in tight space missed the target by inches.
Luther Archimede put away the game in the 74th, scoring a header from a cross from Rodrigo Lopez. Stellar play behind an adjusted defensive alignment secured Sacramento its 13th clean sheet this season with two games remaining.
The club now heads out for its final road game of the regular season, facing Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday. Kickoff from H-E-B Park is set for 5:00 p.m. and the match will be broadcast in English & Spanish on FOX40.com, Antenna TV 40.2, and the FOX40 News Mobile App. The club hosting a free watch party for fans at Mojo’s Local Tap & Kitchen in midtown featuring giveaways and food & drink specials. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com/WatchParty.
With results from the weekend, Republic FC has secured home field advantage for a Western Conference Quarterfinal match on Saturday, October 21. Fans can sign up for the insider list at SacRepublicFC.com/Playoffs to get exclusive access to presale before tickets are available to the public.
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 0 Las Vegas Lights FC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
October 1, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Keko Gontán (Sebastian Herrera) 57’, Luther Archimède (Rodrigo Lopez) 79’ LV – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Luis Felipe (caution) 45+1’, Nick Ross (caution) 45+1’; LV – None
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Jared Timer, Conor Donovan (C) (Rodrigo Lopez 58’), Shane Wiedt, Jack Gurr, Aldair Sanchez, Nick Ross, Luis Felipe (Arnold Lopez 87’), Keko Gontán (Da’vian Kimbrough87’), Russell Cicerone (Zeiko Lewis 75’), Sebastian Herrera (Luther Archimède 75’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Johnny Fenwick
Stats – Shots: 19, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 2, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 0
Las Vegas Lights FC: Leo Diaz, Luke Stauffer, Marelo Lage, Alejandro Mitrano, Timothie Zali, Alex Romero, Jacob Bushue (C), Andres Jiminez (Pablo Soares 84’), Azriel Gonzalez (Justin Ingram 65’), Tyler Bagley, Eric Oteng (Daniel Rios 65’)
Unused Substitutes: Andre Zuluaga, Zach Carrol, Jordan Ayimbila, Mauricio Camarena
Stats – Shots: 6, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 3, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 1, Offsides: 1
