Sacramento Republic to host Oakland Roots in 2020 U.S. Open Cup

Sacramento Republic FC know for sure who they will play to open their U.S. Open Cup slate, as U.S. Soccer conducted the draw for the second round on Wednesday, and Sacramento will host NISA side Oakland Roots at Papa Murphy’s Park on April 8.

It will be the first meeting between the clubs, Oakland having started play in 2019. Oakland went winless in their first half-season in the NISA, finishing with three points, all draws (the fall season was only six games, it must be noted). The club has several players with previous MLS experience, including Jack McInerney, Matt Fondy, Tristan Bowen and Benji Joya.

More news for your Thursday:

• Sinclair breaks all-time scoring record: Christine Sinclair wrote her name in the history books on Wednesday, scoring her 185th goal on the international stage to break the all-time record in Canada’s commanding win over St. Kitts & Nevis in Concacaf Women’s Olympic qualifying. Sinclair passes Abby Wambach with the title, and has more goals than any player in international history, female or male.

• Goalkeeper breakdown: Curious about the goalkeepers in preseason camp for Sacramento? Check out this review on the team’s website. It looks pretty obvious like Adam Grinwis will be the starter, but perhaps Rafael Diaz will push him for that No. 1 slot?
• What to make of Carli Lloyd? The USWNT star is aging, yes, but she’s coming off a resurgent 2019. She argues she deserves way more playing time, but as Kim McCauley argues in this great column at SB Nation, Lloyd is both delusional and still capable of making the game-breaking play, even if those moments are further and far between.

Today’s question: How excited are you to see Sacramento Republic take on Oakland Roots? Happy they get a lower-division opponent in the Open Cup this year or nervous they’ll spring a cupset? Let’s chat in the comments below!