Sacramento Republic FC maintained their unbeaten streak, but their six-game winning streak was snapped Saturday as they conceded in stoppage time in a rather-entertaining 3-3 draw at Papa Murphy’s Park.
Unlike previous encounters between the teams this year, this game was full of goals, teams trading leads and plenty of crunching tackles. It looked like Jaime Villarreal had won the game for Sacramento, but Aidan Apodaca’s equalizer in the 93rd minute left the teams to split the points in the third edition this season of the Donner Pass Derby.
Villarreal got the nod to start for Sacramento in this game, after his game-breaking performance Wednesday against Orange County and with Rodrigo Lopez suspended.
The action started immediately in this one, unlike previous encounters between these teams where the action could be sleepy at times. Reno finally broke their scoring duck against Sacramento this season very early in this game, as Foster Langsdorf scored two minutes in, his spinning header off Christiano Francois’ free kick service leaving Sacramento temporarily flummoxed.
But Republic FC had a quick answer, as Sam Werner scored in the fifth minute, his header from close range beating Ben Beaury in Reno’s goal, with Kharlton Belmar setting up the goal with a perfect cross.
A little after the 20-minute mark, a cross in the 18-yard box by Dariusz Formella appeared to be handled by Reno’s Brent Richards, but Sacramento’s appeals for a penalty was ignored by the referee.
But Formella scored his sixth goal of the season in the 32nd minute, as a lightning-quick counterattack led to Belmar springing Formella in the left channel, with the Polish attacker hitting a good stroke to make it 2-1 for Sac Republic.
Shannon Gomez entered the game at halftime, replacing Ash Apollon at left back.
Sacramento started the second half a bit sloppy, but by about 10 minutes into the second stanza, they were shooting frequently and making Beaury do work to keep Republic FC from extending their lead.
Ian Russell made a slew of changes for Reno just after the hour mark, and they saw a change a few minutes later, as Gomez was whistled for a trip on Kevin Partida in Sacramento’s box. Republic FC thought Partida dived, but the referee awarded the PK, and Partida scored in the 67th minute to make it 2-2.
But once again, Republic FC found a quick answer, as Villarreal scored a go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute from distance and through traffic to make it 3-2.
Shortly after the restart from that goal, Gomez saved the equalizer, as Partida’s corner kick for Reno was headed towards the target, but the right back headed it away off the line for Sacramento.
Lopez entered the game in the final 15 minutes for Republic FC, making his debut for the club on loan from OKC Energy FC.
SRFC had another goal-line clearance, in the final 10 minutes, as a save from Rafa Diaz squirted along the line and Jordan McCrary bundled it away. Reno called for a penalty, but this time the referee waived off their appeals. The replay was inconclusive, to be honest.
It looked like Republic FC would hold on for another win, but Apodaca came up with an impressive goal, eluding several defenders to get his shot off, to score in the 93rd minute and leave Reno feeling like they’d won and Sacramento like they’d lost, even though the teams tied in the end.
Overall, it was a tough game between two good teams, and both sides had their moments in this game. Surely Sacramento will be disappointed to drop two points, but this was a battle between two contenders and for the neutral it was a great game. For Sacramento? Back to the drawing board to improve their execution to try and start a new winning streak.
Sac Republic have a week before their next game, next Saturday against Tacoma Defiance at Papa Murphy’s Park. Sacramento’s playoff spot is nearly assured at this point, but to book their spot, they need to keep their foot on the pedal to rack up results and points in the homestretch of the regular season.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
Comments
Reno's goal within the first 90 seconds, and certainly their goal within the last 20 seconds,
and maybe above all, the penalty (whenever a guy flings himself horizontal into a superman pose, hits the ground, then flips himself onto his butt to see if his sell job worked, it’s a sell job; but that’s how that goes), were really frustrating. But, truth be told, taking 7 points from the 3 encounters thus far is really good. More than that, maybe really lucky. While I think the Quails outplayed 1868 generally, Reno really might have had 6 goals. Similar fortune accompanied at least one of the previous matches, if I recall. It’s fun to be responsible for every one of their lost points this year.
Now, then: Earlier in the year, I’m not sure I could see where KB was making any positive contributions. Now, he has been brilliant and forceful. Does he have any goals this year? I don’t think so. But his movement end to end, and these beautiful assists…wonderful. I mean, I would have a satisfying viewing experience just watching him. Really great of late. Darth Formella seems to have a level of confidence right now that says ‘Now you will see the power of the Dar side of the force!’ (too much?; I want him to start saying "I am your father" after scoring goals). What are his duels won numbers. He seems to believe he will win every one. He had to be above 80%.
There seem to be attacking pieces everywhere and a growing mutual awareness and communication. I actually thought I could hear them talking all game, especially along the D-line, last night. Championship potential, anyone?
Credit where credit is due, Reno is just a load. There is a lot to try to keep up with. It seemed like AA was overwhelmed in the first half. But even Shut Down Shannon struggled. 1868 still might be best in group. They’re fast and skilled and they swarm. But they only have 1 point from three meetings with RepublicFC. So, that.
By left hand on 09.13.20 1:54pm
Decisions
….so, are some of the youngsters not playing because Sac Rep is getting their vets ready for the so called playoffs ? This is old way thinking but hey, if the coaches and staff feel like their jobs are more secure this way because he know what he is going to get from the vets then it is what it is…I just hope development is not being impeded so staff can last and keep job until MLS . I hope skill and play and not age is factoring into playing time decision. Look around…average age of every sport’s start is much younger than avg age from years past. I ask because I do not know…just trying to figure out a piece of the Sac Republic Organizational Model for Success.
By SOCKHER on 09.17.20 2:55pm
I think it's really tricky this year in particular
The season is short, and very weird, and I think all coaches feel the pressure unlike the usual routine. Having said that, the "benefit" of a crunched schedule right now is it lends itself to more rotation, but Sac Republic have unusually had more full weeks between games than any other team in Group A or B (the groups I watch closest) so there’s less demand for Briggs to have to rotate with two games every single week like for most other teams.
By Alicia Rodriguez on 09.17.20 3:16pm
SRFC has what I would think is an unusually balanced roster, age wise.
There are some teenagers who are coming up from academy; there are new as well as established guys in their presumptive athletic prime; and there are some veterans, some of whom have had experience in high quality professional leagues. Ideally, you wouldn’t play veterans just because they are veterans; nor would you play "youngsters" just because they are young. But I think you would certainly hope that the youth find meaningful minutes.
Examining the team, the back line has Hayden Sargis starting and playing 90 minutes almost every game. Tomas Hilliard-Arce is in, what, his third professional season? Ash Apollon is in his twenties, but a somewhat raw project who gets a lot of minutes. Mahoney is relatively young. Dekel Keinan is a real veteran who barely gets on the pitch. McCrary and Gomez are really, really excellent fullbacks. They are really excellent. This all seems good and right.
All of the forwards are guys who happen to be around their prime. There are no kids up there. If there were, the team would never, ever score, unless that young player was an exceptional talent. That exceptional talent is not present on the roster, and is not present on most rosters anywhere.
The midfield might be an area for your point to be best taken. Maybe Bijev and especially Roro get too many minutes? Could Juju and Mario Penagos be taking some of their minutes, or those of Villarreal or Werner? I understand more and more that you cannot take Skundrich off the field; there simply is no viable replacement, at least as long as AWO is hurt. Honestly, despite and amazing finish one very cool night, those two are probably not ready for regular long shifts. Also, Alicia once reminded me that some of the kids, Jauregui for example, are on contracts that stipulate limited appearances.
Two things I try to keep in mind that have to do with the training sessions: 1) there is real benefit to the youngsters to be on the training pitch with the veterans, whether they are currently getting game minutes or not. 2) if they’re getting schooled on the training field, they probably aren’t ready to be gifted big game minutes. To the second point, admittedly, I don’t know if that’s what is happening. But there is no authentic Model For Success that includes playing the young players just because. SRFC is not a developmental agent of a bigger club, like Tacoma, Los Dos, and Timbers 2.
All that being said, human nature suggests that Roro, for example, is getting the minutes because the staff really wants to win the group. And then he will get the minutes because they really want to win the playoffs. Finding some midfield middle ground might be nice. But I want to win the group and the playoffs, too. I don’t mean to be an apologist for the club. It’s tricky. Maybe coach could start using all of his substitutions?
By left hand on 09.17.20 8:48pm