Sacramento Republic FC vs Arizona United SC, a History

This Saturday, two USL clubs that began play in 2014 will once again come face-to-face at Bonney Field. With a total of six matches between them in two years, Sacramento Republic and Arizona United are quite familiar with each other. So familiar, in fact, that former United goalkeeper Evan Newton now guards the net for Sacramento. The Republic has been the best club of the series so far, going 3-2-1 against their Southwest rivals.

Before the home opener this Saturday, let's take a look back at the history between the Republic and United.

April 19, 2014

Republic’s first match against United saw former Republic fan favorite Rodrigo Lopez score his first goal for the club. Lopez scored in the 27th minute, but unfortunately that would be the only goal for the Republic that night. United forward Brandon Swartzendruber equalized with a steady shot in the 38th minute.

Former Republic defender Mickey Daly was sent off before the half after receiving a second yellow card for a foul in the box. Veteran goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek blocked the ensuing penalty kick and secured a 1-1 tie going into the half.

Being down a man, the Republic struggled to find the net again and eventually let in another goal on a header from Jonathan Top in the 85th minute. The goal gave United a 2-1 victory in front of their home fans, their first ever franchise victory.

June 7, 2014

One of the more uninteresting halves the Republic would play in their inaugural season ended scoreless after the first half whistle. Neither team would find the back of the net until the 67th minute when United’s Landon Woodberry scored off a free kick deflection. Arizona looked to come away with their second victory in as many tries against Sacramento, but would let it slip away when former Republic forward Chad Bartolmé headed home a corner in extra time to complete a 1-1 draw.

June 26, 2014

The Republic notched their first victory over United a few weeks later. Defender Emrah Klimenta would score his first ever USL goal in the 13th minute to secure the win. Though the score remained 1-0 through the second half, things got interesting and heated as a player from each side would be shown red cards and asked to leave.

First, United defender Widner Saint-Cyr would accumulate his second yellow and be ejected in the 58th minute. Then, shortly after subbing on in the 68th minute, Republic forward Chad Bartolmé was shown a straight red for an aggressive slide tackle. Also, there was a scary moment for former Republic goalkeeper Jake Gleason in the 89th minute when he was injured due to a collision with a United player.

August 2, 2014

The final match between these two clubs for the 2014 season would end in another victory for the Republic. After a slow first half ended 0-0, former San Jose Earthquakes and current Republic midfielder, JJ Koval, would score his first USL goal. United forward Jonathan Top, scoring his second overall goal against the Republic, would equalize in the 65th minute. The Republic attack would end up being too much for goalkeeper Evan Newton, as former Republic forward Justin Braun scored with a chip shot in the 78th minute resulting in a 2-1 win.

June 3, 2015

The Republic would face United only twice in the 2015 season, gaining a win and a draw. For the first matchup at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, AZ, United forward Long Tan drove a header into the back of the net in the 9th minute. Despite the early setback, the Republic defense rebounded and the score remained 1-0 at the half.

The Republic came out strong during the second half. Former forward Gabe Gissie sent a wonderful cross to a streaking Agustin Cazarez, who found the back of the net to even the match 1-1. Midfielder Danny Barrera would put the Republic up for good with a quick strike past United goalkeeper Carl Woszczinski in the 83rd minute.

September 19, 2015

Not much to say about this match. Republic had an opportunity to gain a higher seed for the 2015 playoffs but instead laid an egg. Final 0-0.

Please share with us your memories about the history between Sacramento Republic and Arizona United in the comments below.