Match Recap: Sacramento Republic 0, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 0

Sacramento Republic remain undefeated this season after their scoreless draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in Vancouver. The draw also brought their regular season shutout streak to six matches and a grand total of 564 minutes.

Although the match ended scoreless, there were fairly good chances for both teams to score.

The first real attempt of the game came in the sixth minute when Mark Sherrod headed a James Kiffe cross towards goal, but ultimately it came to nothing and Whitecaps 2 goalkeeper Sean Melvin made an easy save.

There was a moment of real panic for the Republic in the 12th minute when Daniel Haber, one half of the Whitecaps 2's dangerous forward pairing, seemed to have put the home team in the lead after he fired a shot past Republic goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek. However, fortunately for Sacramento the goal was disallowed due to Haber being in an offside position.

Not to be outdone, the Republic - who are quickly becoming Kings of the Disallowed Goal - had a goal of their own called back due to an offside call in the 43rd minute.

Here's the play.

Here’s another look at Stewart’s goal that was called offside. #VANvSAC pic.twitter.com/X5UeQMwCnt

— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 10, 2016

That looks onside to me. Stewart looks to be behind the ball when JJ Koval plays it to him.

The first big action of the second half came from Whitecaps 2's Haber in the 54th minute. Haber got in behind Republic left back James Kiffe, received a well weighted through ball, and was in with just Dominik Jakubek to beat. Fortunately for the away team, the veteran keeper came up huge and made the save to keep the game scoreless.

Sacramento got two good chances to turn things in their favor late on in the match in the 82nd and 83rd minutes. Agustin Cazarez got off a hard, driven shot from distance in the 82nd minute that went right to the gloves of Melvin. The more dangerous of the two came in the 83rd minute when Cameron Iwasa - who scored last weekend's late winner - did well to get on the end of a Max Alvarez cross and force Melvin to make a great diving save to deny him.

Those chances were the last real big ones of the match, but the real highlight of the game came just after the final whistle courtesy of Dominik Jakubek, who did his best René Higuita impression and treated us to this scorpion kick save attempt.

Play of the match pic.twitter.com/Eou0pbb0YW

— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 11, 2016

Beautiful.

With today's scoreless draw, the Republic are 2-0-1 on the season and are now the only team in all of USL that has yet to concede a goal. They are currently in a four-way tie for second place in the USL Western Conference and currently sit in fifth place due to tiebreakers.

Next up for the Republic is an away match against Portland Timbers 2. Kickoff is at 2pm on Sunday, April 17th.

Lineup and Final Stats

Republic Starting XI: Dominik Jakubek; Emrah Klimenta, Derek Foran, Chris Christian, James Kiffe; JJ Koval, Agustin Cazarez, Danny Barrera, Chase Minter (Out 40); Thomas Stewart (Out 80), Mark Sherrod (Out 64)

Republic Subs: Evan Newton, Mike da Fonte, Matt LaGrassa, Mackenzie Pridham, Alfonso Motagalvan (In 40), Cameron Iwasa (In 64), Max Alvarez (In 80).

Final Republic Stats:5 Shots, 3 Shots on Goal, 1 Saves, 2 Corner Kicks, 3 Offside.