In last week’s ICS Poll Question, we asked the Republic fanbase if they felt that the team was back on track after beating Tulsa Roughnecks. The majority of respondents said they were waiting to see how the Republic fared against Vancouver before saying anything definite. With a resounding 2-1 win over Whitecaps 2 in the bag, it may be time to say that the Republic have hit their stride under Coach Buckle, and just in time for the playoffs.

Sunday’s win clinched a postseason spot for Sacramento, and with three games left to play, the Republic still have time to do more than simply qualify. Before we get into the Republic’s upcoming games, let’s recap how they clinched their playoff berth in the first place.

The Match

The Republic started out Sunday’s match well, controlling the pace of the game and displaying some crisp passing.

Although the Republic looked like the better of the two teams initially, it was Vancouver who had the first real dangerous opportunity of the match, coming in the 25th minute. After getting around a Republic defender, Tyler Rosenlund, who most in USL would recognize from his 4 year term with Rochester Rhinos, sent a chipped ball to Marco Bustos near the penalty spot. As Bustos collected the ball and prepared to shoot, backup Republic goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek, never one to be shy about coming off his line, rushed out to make the save. Jakubek saved the initial shot and the Republic defense took care of the rebound, clearing it away to the half field line.

The next big scoring opportunity came for the visitors in the 29th minute, with Republic captain Justin Braun giving his team the lead with his 5th goal of the season. The play began with a low, driven pass to the top of the box by James Kiffe. Thomas Stewart collected the ball and laid it back to Rodrigo Lopez, who then sent it back into the penalty area to Tommy Thompson. The young loan player from the San Jose Earthquakes touched the ball to Braun, who created space from the defense with his first touch and slammed the ball into the net with his second. Thompson’s part in the goal earned him his second USL assist in as many games.

Braun’s goal was the only one of the opening 45 minutes, and the teams went into the break with Sacramento leading 1-0.

Although the Republic drew first blood in the first half, the hosts were the first to get on the scoreboard in the second, with a well-worked goal from Bustos in the 66th minute.

While Bustos was the one who provided the finishing touch, credit must also be given to Victor Blasco, who orchestrated the move that led to Bustos’s opportunity. Blasco made a great run out of his own defensive half, going past Tommy Thompson and Agustin Cazarez, before sending in a perfectly weighted through ball for Bustos to finish. It was a moment of brilliance from the Whitecaps 2 midfielder.

However, the equalizer that Blasco and Bustos worked so hard to get did not last very long thanks to Republic captain Justin Braun, who scored his second goal of the night just 5 minutes later. The play began when Emrah Klimenta intercepted a soft pass in Vancouver’s defensive half and was free on the right wing. As he approached the endline, he turned towards the goal and picked out Braun at the near post. With a deft touch, the captain put the ball past Vancouver’s keeper and bagged himself a brace.

Although the finish was a good one, Braun’s run was particularly good. In the above video of the goal (provided by Republic fan and Streamable maker extraordinaire, vanillacokeee) watch how Braun comes seemingly out of nowhere. He starts the play all the way on the left wing, but shows up again, streaking toward the near post, once Klimenta moves toward the goal. It catches the Whitecaps 2 defense completely off guard and gives him just enough space to get on the end of Klimenta’s pass and redirect the ball into the net.

Braun’s goal was the last of the game, bringing him to a total of 6 on the year, 2 more than his total in league play in 2014. Braun’s brace also secured the Republic a place in the USL playoffs

Man of the Match

We are trying something different this week when it comes to awarding the Man of the Match. We want YOU to tell us who deserves the recognition of being named the ICS MOTM. Vote in the poll below.

 

What’s Next

Next up for the Republic is a trip to Portland to face Portland Timbers 2 and former teammates Jake Gleeson and Harrison Delbridge. The home team has been victorious each of the previous times the two teams have met, with T2 handing the Republic a 2-1 loss in Portland and Sacramento returning the favor to the tune of a 3-0 scoreline at Bonney Field. Sacramento will be looking to overturn that trend with a road victory.

The match against Portland Timbers 2 kicks off Saturday, September 12th at 7pm PDT. It can be viewed live on YouTube, just like all USL matches.