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Sacramento Republic FC traveled to Oklahoma Wednesday night in search of their third consecutive victory and an important three points on the road.
Republic FC Manager Simon Elliott would roll out the following starting XI to do just that:
Our @usbank starting XI vs @RoughnecksFC ⚽️
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 19, 2018
ESPN+#TULvSAC pic.twitter.com/7bmkHkLldb
Republic would start the match fast (as we said needed to happen in our match preview), which would pay off in the 20th minute. After a free kick from the Republic just outside the box wasn’t cleared well by Tulsa, Elliott Hord stepped up and hit an absolute banger to give the Quails a 1-0 advantage. It was Hord’s first goal of the season.
Absolute off @Ehord26's boots
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 20, 2018
The defender's first goal of the season has Republic FC up 1-0 at ONEOK Field.
SAC 1 | 0 TUL#TULvSAC pic.twitter.com/2Wnk8gBGp9
Hayden Partain would extend the Republic’s lead in the 54th minute on a beautiful drop off from Christian Eissele. Partain didn’t waste anytime and hit an left-footed shot from distance in the upper left corner. Tulsa’s keeper had absolutely no chance.
When your family drives up from Texas to watch you play, you reward them with a goal like this @hayden_partain with more for the boys in white #TULvSAC pic.twitter.com/IcQXIF3IXm
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 20, 2018
Former Republic defender Nemanja Vukovic would pull one back for the home side in the 62nd minute on a penalty kick after Michael Gamble was taken down in the box by Emrah Klimenta. Vukovic stepped up and slotted it by Josh Cohen.
Six minutes later, Cameron Iwasa would get into the action and add his 14th goal of the season on a counterattack that started with Villyan Bijev playing a beautiful through ball to a streaking Jure Matjasic who centered it to a trailing Iwasa who easily hammed it home.
For good measure, Partain would get his brace in the 80th minute, with Matjasic recording his second assist of the match. The final whistle would blow shortly thereafter and the Republic would secure a solid 4-1 win on the road.
.@hayden_partain with his brace
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 20, 2018
Can we also take a moment to appreciate that pass from @cam31iwasa and Matjasic's step?
SAC 4 | 1 TUL#TULvSAC pic.twitter.com/tVatZfI4Mg
With the win, Republic FC move to 15-7-7 (52 points) and into fourth place in the Western Conference, while Tulsa drops to 3-15-11 (20 points) and tied for last place.
Republic continue their two-game road trip this Sunday when they play OKC Energy FC at 4pm (2pm locally).
Final Stats and Lineup
Sacramento Republic FC: 4 goals, 14 shots, 5 shots on target, 47.3 possession, 6 corners, 5 offsides, 0 yellow cards.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC: 1 goal, 12 shots, 6 shots on target, 52.7 possession, 3 corners, 1 offsides, 1 yellow cards.
Republic FC lineup: Josh Cohen; Shannon Gomez (OUT, 81’), Mitchell Taintor, Hayden Partain; Wilson Kneeshaw (OUT, 64’), Christian Eissele (OUT, 59’), Villyan Bijev, Emrah Klimenta; Jeremy Hall, Elliott Hord, Cameron Iwasa.
Republic FC bench: Rafael Diaz, Josh Turnley (IN, 81’), Cole Seiler, Justin Schmidt, Luis Espino, Keven Aleman (IN, 64’), Jure Matjasic (IN, 59’)