Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 3 Swope Park Rangers 1

Sacramento Republic FC faced off against Swope Park Rangers Tuesday night at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. It was a quick turnaround for the Quails considering they played on Saturday and had to travel half way across the country and play in hot, humid weather. Swope Park’s last match was July 5 in a 2-0 win at Sounders 2.

Republic FC Manager Simon Elliott would fill out his starting XI as such:

Cameron Iwasa got the Republic on the board in the 45th minute on a nice through ball from Jamie Villarreal. With the goal, Iwasa tied Rodrigo Lopez on the Republic’s all-time record for most goals scored in USL play (20).

In the 54th minute, Iwasa was back at it again. Second half substitute Emrah Klimenta brought the ball up the right side and sent an absolutely beautiful cross towards goal, which Iwasa cleanly headed in for his second goal of the match.

The goal put him ahead of Lopez on the Republic’s all-time list with 21. It was also his ninth goal on the season, which puts him in a tie for first place for most goals scored in the USL. Additionally, it was Iwasa’s second brace of the season, and fourth brace as a member of the Republic. He’s now one brace away from tying (you guessed it) Lopez, who is the Republic’s all-time leader with five.

In the 70th minute, Swope Park was able to pull one back to make it interesting, but Christian Eissele was able to give the Quails some breathing room in the 88th minute on a nice flick from Cameron Iwasa.

The whistle would blow shortly after and the Republic secured three points and their first win since June 13 and their first win ever against Swope Park. With the win, Republic move to 9-5-6 (33 points), while Swope Park drops to 9-5-4 (31 points). It was an impressive win against a club that doesn’t lose at home often and especially given the short turnaround.

The road trip continues for Republic FC as they now travel to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC this Saturday, July 14. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 5pm.

Final Stats and Lineup

Sacramento Republic FC: 3 goals, 18 shots, 7 shots on target, 54.8 possession, 5 corners, 3 offsides, 2 yellow cards.

Swope Park Rangers: 1 goals, 10 shots, 4 shots on target, 45.2 possession, 4 corner, 2 offsides, 0 yellow cards.

Republic FC lineup: Josh Cohen; Shannon Gomez, Mitchell Taintor, Justin Schmidt; Elliott Hord (OUT, 82’), Jeremy Hall, Jamie Villarreal, Villyan Bijev; Luis Espino (OUT, 45’), Christian Eissele (OUT, 92’), Cameron Iwasa.

Republic FC bench: Rafael Diaz, Wilson Kneeshaw (IN, 82’), Cole Seiler, Adam Moffat, Emrah Klimenta (IN, 45’), Jure Matjasic, Quincy Butler (IN, 92’).