Match Recap: Republic FC 0 - 3 CF Pachuca

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Republic FC fell 3-0 to Mexico’s CF Pachuca in an international exhibition at Papa Murphy’s Park on Saturday night. Academy youngster Roberto Hategan’s Republic debut was the lone bright spot in an otherwise tepid result for the home club.

Pachuca had the first chance of the match in the 8th minute when Angelo Segal got on the end of a German Cano free kick, but the forward’s header went just wide of Evan Newton’s goal.

Republic sorely missed Augustin Cazarez and Danny Barrera’s presence in the midfield, as Pachuca held the majority of possession during the first half, often seeking to stretch Republic’s defense through play on either wing.

On one such play in the 21st minute, Raul Lopez drew a foul from Jeremy Hall on the left flank. Tony Figueroa sent the free kick to the far post were an unmarked Victor Guzman smashed a sublime volley into the net to open the scoring.

Guzman threatened again in the 30th minute, getting a pass inside Republic’s box and making a turn before firing off a shot at goal that Newton was able to block.

Segal had a chance to double Pachuca’s lead in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a failed clearance from Elliott Hord to go one-on-one with Newton, but the Chilean striker sent his shot well wide of goal.

Cano finally completed the inevitable in the 40th minute, putting Pachuca up 2-0 after the home side had just missed an opportunity on the other end of the field. The Argentine received an excellent through ball from Segal in the box and made his way through three defenders to slot the Tuzo’s second of the night.

Republic had their closest chance to put a goal back just before halftime with a free kick just outside the box, but Daniel Trickett-Smith’s shot went just over Oscar Perez’s goal.

Shortly after the restart, Pachuca nearly made the most of an error by Dominic Jakubek—in for Newton for the second half—to go three-up, but the keeper was able to make amends by stopping Guzman’s point-blank shot.

In the 55th minute, Christian Chaney linked up with fellow second-half substitute Sammy Ochoa to fire a shot from the edge of the box, but his attempt sailed wide of the visitor’s goal.

Figueroa, who was a constant threat throughout the night, increased Pachuca’s lead to three with a flash of ingenuity in the 59th minute. The Pachuca academy product received a long ball in the box, and with his back to goal, slotted an effortless backheel past an unsuspecting Jakubek.

Harry Williams attempted a long-range effort in the 79th minute, but his shot was saved by Perez.

Republic made a few more efforts at goal, but were unable to trouble the former Mexican national team goalkeeper.

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