Republic FC’s quest for USL eCup FIFA20 Edition glory kicked off on Monday night as a red-hot Rafa Diaz and the 21-seeded Mexican National Team triumphed 3-1 over 12-seeded Memphis 901 FC’s Duane Muckette – playing as Austria – in the Indomitable Club’s inaugural match of the competition.
Republic FC’s quest for USL eCup FIFA20 Edition glory kicked off on Monday night as a red-hot Rafa Diaz and the 21-seeded Mexican National Team triumphed 3-1 over 12-seeded Memphis 901 FC’s Duane Muckette – playing as Austria – in the Indomitable Club’s inaugural match of the competition.
Mexico asserted itself early, creating a number of chances and forcing the opposing goalkeeper into a trio of first half saves. Even though the match was deadlocked nil-nil at the break, El Tri was in full control and managed to deny Austria a single shot during the opening 45 minutes.
Mexico asserted itself early, creating a number of chances and forcing the opposing goalkeeper into a trio of first half saves. Even though the match was deadlocked nil-nil at the break, El Tri was in full control and managed to deny Austria a single shot during the opening 45 minutes.

Diaz and Mexico's relentless attack finally broke through and notched Republic FC's first goal of the competition when forward Raul Jimenez stepped up to the penalty spot after Andres Guardado was fouled in the box. Jimenez – coveted striker for the English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers – coolly nestled his right-footed effort into the top left corner to lift his side to a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.
But the European side fought back and in the 72nd minute, Marcel Sabitzer’s left-footed shot from close range leveled the match at one-all.
Diaz and Mexico’s relentless attack finally broke through and notched Republic FC’s first goal of the competition when forward Raul Jimenez stepped up to the penalty spot after Andres Guardado was fouled in the box. Jimenez – coveted striker for the English Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers – coolly nestled his right-footed effort into the top left corner to lift his side to a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute.
But the European side fought back and in the 72nd minute, Marcel Sabitzer’s left-footed shot from close range leveled the match at one-all.
A brilliant Jimenez was far from finished and four minutes after Austria equalized, Edson Alvarez delivered a perfectly placed ball to Wolves’ talisman surging towards the box. The forward barreled through the opposing back line, picked his spot and rifled his attempt past Cican Stankovic to restore Mexico’s lead.
A brilliant Jimenez was far from finished and four minutes after Austria equalized, Edson Alvarez delivered a perfectly placed ball to Wolves’ talisman surging towards the box. The forward barreled through the opposing back line, picked his spot and rifled his attempt past Cican Stankovic to restore Mexico’s lead.

Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera handed his side a 3-1 advantage in the 84th minute when the shifty veteran beat his defender and buried his shot across the face of goal.
Victory in the opening match against Memphis means Republic FC’s Mexican team will play this Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. PT against OKC Energy FC competing as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal who are fresh off a 3-0 win over FC Tulsa playing as the United States. Diaz will be handing the controller over to SRFC defender Ashkanov Apollon who is hoping advance his El Tri team past the 2016 UEFA European Championship holders.
Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera handed his side a 3-1 advantage in the 84th minute when the shifty veteran beat his defender and buried his shot across the face of goal.
Victory in the opening match against Memphis means Republic FC’s Mexican team will play this Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. PT against OKC Energy FC competing as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal who are fresh off a 3-0 win over FC Tulsa playing as the United States. Diaz will be handing the controller over to SRFC defender Ashkanov Apollon who is hoping advance his El Tri team past the 2016 UEFA European Championship holders.
Wednesday’s match will take place at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on the club’s Twitch stream, twitch.tv/SacramentoRepublicFC/. You can relive every moment of SRFC’s eCup journey on the club’s Twitch channel as well.
Wednesday’s match will take place at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on the club’s Twitch stream, twitch.tv/SacramentoRepublicFC/. You can relive every moment of SRFC’s eCup journey on the club’s Twitch channel as well.

Additional information can be found on the official USL eCup: FIFA20 Edition page and the full schedule can be found on the eCup Schedule page.
Additional information can be found on the official USL eCup: FIFA20 Edition page and the full schedule can be found on the eCup Schedule page.
USL eCup FIFA20 Tournament
Play-in Bracket | Match #1
Monday May 4, 2020
Venue: Stadion Olympik
USL eCup FIFA20 Tournament
Play-in Bracket | Match #1
Monday May 4, 2020
Venue: Stadion Olympik
Rafa’s Starting XI– Guillermo Ochoa; Jesus Gallardo, Hector Moreno ©, Cesar Montes, Luis Rodriguez; Edson Alvarez, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado; Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado
Scoring Summary– SAC – Raul Jimenez (55’, 76’), Hector Herrera (84’); MEM – Marcel Sabitzer (72’)
Rafa’s Starting XI– Guillermo Ochoa; Jesus Gallardo, Hector Moreno ©, Cesar Montes, Luis Rodriguez; Edson Alvarez, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado; Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez, Roberto Alvarado
Scoring Summary– SAC – Raul Jimenez (55’, 76’), Hector Herrera (84’); MEM – Marcel Sabitzer (72’)