Harrisburg came out quickly and scored in the 5th minute when Yann Ekra found Robbie Dershang who was able to get past his defender and finish to put the Islanders ahead 1-0.
Republic FC seemed to take the early goal as a spark and pressured the Islanders defense. Midfielder Max Alvarez harassed the defense and eventually was fouled setting up a 32nd minute free kick. Alvarez took the free kick that was bent beautifully in front of the goal where Davis native Adam Jahn headed home his first Republic FC goal.
The score remained knotted at one going into the break. Harrisburg again came out strong to start the half and scored again in the 52nd minute. Morgan Langley showed fancy footwork to get around his defender and shoot the ball past an advancing Dominik Jakubek.
Republic FC again came alive following the score but were unable to convert any of their chances. Their best look came in the 90th minute when defender Nemanja Vukovic whipped a ball into the box where substitute forward Chad Bartlomé chested the ball down but was unable to get a free look.
“We need to get sharper,” said Jahn. “We had a lot of good build up plays but quality was not good enough and finishing wasn’t good enough either.”
The sell out crowd at Hughes Stadium helped create an electric atmosphere felt by all.
“To get 20,000 people is incredible,” Jahn said of the fans. “It shows the following and it is really exciting going forward”
Republic FC will continue its three-match home stand on Saturday, May 3 against Orange County Blues FC. Match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m and will be held at Hughes Stadium.
Sacramento Republic FC 1:2 Harrisburg City Islanders
Hughes Stadium, Sacramento City College – Sacramento, Calif.
April 26, 2014 – Attendance: 20,231
Scoring Summary: HCI – Robbie Derschang (Yann Ekra) 5, Morgan Langley 52; SRFC – Adam Jahn (Max Alvarez) 32.
Misconduct Summary: HCI –Morgan Langley (caution) 25, Matt Bahner (caution) 42; SRFC – Max Alvarez (caution) 58;
Sacramento Republic FC – Dominik Jakubek, Cristian Gonzalez, Nemanja Vukovic, Harrison Delbridge, Jack Avesyan (Chad Bartlomé 89), Max Alvarez (Gilberto 69), Ivan Mirkovic, Chad Bond (George Fochive 62), Rodrigo Lopez, Thomas Stewart, Adam Jahn.
Harrisburg City Islanders – Nick Noble, Raphael Cox, Pedro Ribiero (Niel Shaffer 69), Richie Marquez, Colin Zizzi, Jason Pelletier, Matt Bahner, Yann Ekra (Jimmy McLaughlin 80), Robbie Derschang, Morgan Langley (Celsio Bauque 78), Garret Pettis (Edinho Junior 65)
