/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59761273/IMG_0373.0.jpeg)
Sacramento Republic FC kicked off their 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play with a 3-1 win over San Francisco City FC of the Premier Development League. With the win, Republic FC advance to the third round of the competition and will face the winner of Reno 1868 and Timbers U23 that will be played later tonight.
Tonight's @usbank starting XI vs @SFCityFC.
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) May 16, 2018
Listen live at https://t.co/p9aEGwmcb6. #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/AKu5alJl5b
The match started fairly slowly with both sides feeling each other out. However, in the 24th minute, midfielder Keven Alemán was able to collect the ball inside the box and delivered a nice left-footed shot that hit the back of the net to give the Quails a 1-0 advantage.
Here ya go. The first goal of our 2018 @opencup campaign scored by @kAlemanS #USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/kozkqI1qqb
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) May 17, 2018
In the 32nd minute, San Francisco City FC would equalize on a beautiful cross from Robert Hines that Arron Lombardi gathered in and hammered home.
San Francisco would muster a couple of other dangerous chances, and the Republic would create a few of their own, but the sides went to the locker room locked at 1-1.
Republic manager Simon Elliott would make two second half substitutions bringing on Villyan Bijev for Elliott Hord and Josh Turner for Keven Alemán.
The Quails would strike again in the 61st minute. Mitchell Taintor would collect a long ball on the left side, allude his defender and send a left-footed cross in the box that Bijev sort of hipped in to give the Republic a 2-1 lead.
60’ | GOOOOOAL @villbijev!!
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) May 17, 2018
Great assist from @Mitch_Taintor to Bijev to restore the lead for Republic FC.
SAC 2 | SF 1#USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/OjhnCMGijQ
In the 68th minute, Adam Moffat would add a third goal for the Republic after a scrum in the box. Bijev sent a low cross in from the right side that the goalie was able to initially stop, but Moffat was there to gather it, make a clever spin and get enough on it to extend the lead to 3-1.
.@villbijev ➡️ Keeper ➡️ Moffat ➡️⚽️#USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/IsPgdD4iQX
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) May 17, 2018
The final whistle would blow 20 minutes later in a 3-1 win for Republic FC.