Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC capture important three points in 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders 2

Sacramento Republic FC continued their winning ways (fifth consecutive league match without a loss, 4-0-1) en route to a 2-0 victory against the Seattle Sounders 2. With the win, Republic FC move to 8-6-4 (28 points) and fourth place in the Western Conference, while the Sounders 2 drop to 7-11-2 (23 points).

Trevin Caesar would get things rolling early for the Republic in the 16th minute. Elliot Hord swung a ball up the right side and attempted to put a ball in the box, but it was immediately deflected by a Sounders 2 defender. Sammy Ochoa collected the deflection and sent a ball in the box that was volleyed beautifully in by Caesar to give the Republic a 1-0 advantage.

After that, things became The Evan Newton Show. Republic’s keeper made two beautiful saves in the 18th and 29th minute, but it was his save in the 29th minute that was particularly nice. Irvin Parra sent in a dangerous cross, Shandon Hopeau was there to put his head on it, but Newton played it beautifully to deny Hopeau and the Sounders 2 a goal.

The two teams went back and forth for the final 15 minutes and the whistle was blown on the first half.

The Republic would come out the aggressors in the second half, which immediately paid dividends. In the 60th minute, Tyler Blackwood dribbled the ball deep up the left corner and floated a ball towards the goal that somehow ended up in the top right corner of the net. Whether he was trying to cross it, or actually put it on goal will be debated, but it really doesn’t matter. It was arguably one of the best goals of the season given the difficulty of the angle and individual effort.

The Republic would hold onto their 2-0 advantage the rest of the way and send another sellout crowd of 11,569 home happy.

Despite the win, the Republic were not at their best, but the important thing is they found a way to win.

The Quails return to action on August 5 when they will host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. It will be another huge opportunity to secure three points.

Final Stats and Lineup

Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 18 shots, 9 shots on target, 59.6 possession, 1 offside, 3 yellow cards.

Seattle Sounders 2: 0 goals, 14 shots, 3 shots on target, 40.6 possession, 2 offside, 3 yellow cards.

Republic lineup: Evan Newton; James Kiffe, Chris Christian, Emrah Klimenta, Elliot Hord; Harrison Heath Out 79’), Jeremy Hall; Tyler Blackwood, Danny Ochoa, Trevin Caesar (Out 56’), Wilson Kneeshaw Out 64’).

Republic bench: Dominik Jakubek, Augustin Cazarez (In 79’), Peter McGlynn, Daniel Tricket-Smith (In 56’), Harry Williams, Gabe Gissie, Christian Chaney (In 64’).