Republic FC’s undefeated streak climbs to nine matches as the club played to a 1-1 draw on the road against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night. With a spectacular free kick goal from Rodrigo Lopez in the first half, the club remains the only team in all of USL Championship to never trail at any point this season.
The Indomitable Club saw its first opportunity just before the 10-minute mark after high pressure pinned down the hosts and forced a mistake. Nick Ross jumped on a bad touch from the Phoenix defender and passed the ball out wide for Trevor Amann. With Russell Cicerone in position on the back post, Amann sent a cross through the box, but the Phoenix goalkeeper was able to intercept.
Phoenix had its own chance to pull ahead after Republic FC was called for a foul in the box in the 24th minute. After Panos Armenakas’ first attempt was called back, the midfielder sent the second shot wide of the post to keep the match scoreless.
Minutes later, Republic FC found its breakthrough from the foot of Rodrigo Lopez. After Trevor Amann was brought down just outside the box, the Captain stepped up to the spot and sent a right-footed shot through a gap in the Phoenix wall and into the back of the net. The score was the ninth first-half goal for Republic FC this season and set a new club record with 15 consecutive games with at least one goal. Lopez also reached a personal milestone in the match, reaching 10,000 minutes played for Republic FC, just third player in club history to do so.
Phoenix nearly evened up the match just before halftime as Remi Cabral snuck in to put a shot on goal inside the box, but Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello stood his ground to make the save and keep his side on top heading into the break. Vitiello would finish the match with a season-high four saves.
The hosts found their equalizer on the other side of the half as Remi Cabral collected the ball at the top of the box, sending his shot off the bottom of the crossbar and over the line.
Republic FC continues to hold the top spot in the Western Conference and is just one of two teams in the league to remain undefeated through the first nine weeks, matching the club’s all-time record for consecutive matches without a loss to open a season.
Republic FC’s stretch of three contests in seven days continues as the club returns home to host Monterey Bay F.C. in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night. It will mark the first time that the regional rivals will face off in the tournament, with Sacramento posting an all-time Open Cup record of 6 wins and no losses against fellow USL Championship clubs. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. The match will also be streamed live on USOpenCup.com and USLSoccer.com.
The Indomitable Club will return to league play next Saturday, traveling to face USL newcomer Rhode Island FC at 4:30 p.m. PT.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 1 Phoenix Rising FC
USL Championship
Phoenix Rising Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona
May 4, 2024
Scoring Summary: SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (33’), PHX – Remi Cabral (Gabi Torres 66’)
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Luis Felipe (caution) 62’ ; PHX – Remi Cabral (caution) 29’, Dariusz Formella (caution) 51’, Emil Cuello (caution) 53’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Jared Timmer, Jack Gurr, Aldair Sanchez (Damia Viader 89’), Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Rafael Jauregui 63’), Russell Cicerone (Kieran Phillips 63’), Trevor Amann (Jonathan Ricketts 79’)
Unused Substitutes: Shane Wiedt, Blake Willey, Jared Mazzola
Stats: Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 5
Phoenix Rising FC: Rocco Rios Novo, John Stenberg (C), Mohamed Traore, Alejandro Fuenmayor (Laurence Wyke 79’), Giulio Doratiotti, Renzo Zambrano (John Scearce 86’), Juan Azocar (Gabi Torres 60’), Emil Cuello (Federico Varela 61’), Panos Armenakas (Dariusz Formella 79’), Edgardo Rito, Remi Cabral
Unused Substitutes: Pape Boye, Patrick Rakovsky, Zachary Smuch, Christoper Grote
Stats: Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 1, Fouls: 11, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 3
