Match Recap: Reno 1868 FC 2 Sacramento Republic FC 0

Sacramento Republic FC traveled east through highway 80 Saturday night to face off against Reno 1868 FC in the Donner Pass Derby. Sacramento was looking to make it four straight wins in USL Championship play, while Reno was looking to win their second-consecutive match following an impressive 2-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 on Wednesday.

Republic FC Manager Simon Elliott filled out his lineup card with the following starting XI:

Reno would score first in the 35th minute when Duke Lacroix made a long run up the left side and tapped it forward to Raul Mendiola. Lacroix’s pass bounced off Jaime Villarreal (who probably should have cleared it out), to Mendiola who had continued his run forward. He found himself 1v1 with Josh Cohen and easily slotted it past his outstretched arms.

In the 38th minute, Sacramento would have their best chance of the half when Mitchell Taintor cleverly played the ball forward putting Cameron Iwasa in a 1v1 situation. Unfortunately, Iwasa’s shot sailed high over the crossbar. It’s an opportunity that Iwasa would probably convert nine times out of ten.

Reno would head to the locker room with a one goal advantage. They were the better side in the first half and definitely deserved to be up a goal.

In the second half, the Republic would come out much more aggressive, which immediately paid off. In the 46th minute, Shannon Gomez drew a penalty in the box. Iwasa stepped up to take the penalty, but it was denied by Reno’s keeper JT Marcincowski. It certainly wasn’t Iwasa’s best opportunity, but credit the keeper for guessing right.

Marcincowski was at it again in the 50th minute when he denied Taintor, whose header on a beautiful corner kick from Sam Werner was amazingly pushed over the crossbar.

Reno would add to their lead in the 60th minute on a great individual effort from Sergio Rivas (and some shaky defense from Sacramento).

And that’s how the match would finish — 2-0 Reno. In the end, 1868 FC made the most of their opportunities, and were generally the more aggressive side, while the Republic missed the opportunities they had.

With the loss, the Quails drop to 7-6-2 (23 points) and to ninth place, while Reno moves to 8-4-5 (29 points).

Sacramento will need to rebound quickly as they host Fresno FC this coming Wednesday, July 3 at Papa Murphy’s Park. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 8pm.

Final Stats:

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 14 shots, 3 shots on target, 47.7 possession, 13 corners, 0 offsides, 1 yellow card.

Reno 1868 FC: 2 goals, 9 shots, 5 shots on target, 52.3 possession, 3 corners, 2 offsides, 0 yellow cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Josh Cohen, Shannon Gomez, Mitchell Taintor, Haris Chantzopoulos (OUT, 65’), Sam Werner, Drew Skundrich, Villyan Bijev, Jaime Villarreal, Ray Saari (OUT, 66’), Jordan McCrary (OUT, 75’) and Cameron Iwasa

Republic FC Bench: Rafael Diaz, Matt Mahoney (IN, 65’), Hayden Partain (IN, 66’), Juan Barahona (IN, 75’), Dekel Keinan, Elliott Hord and Stefan Bonomo.