Saturday’s match was the first of two friendlies between Liverpool FC U21s and Sacramento Republic FC, and the EPL club’s first appearance at Bonney Field. Republic FC broke the scoreless tie in the 30th minute, after what had been an uneventful start to the match, with a goal by Agustin Cazaez.
Defender James Kiffe was able to get a cross off from the left wing that sailed over the box, afterward midfielder Danny Barrera collected the cross on the right wing, took a touch towards the middle, and sent a left-footed curling shot at the net. The shot deflected off a Liverpool FC U21s defender to forward Harry Williams who sent a perfectly timed header to the left foot of midfielder Cazarez. Cazarez then sent a one-touch rocket of a shot into the top right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead which held until the half.
Saturday’s match was the first of two friendlies between Liverpool FC U21s and Sacramento Republic FC, and the EPL club’s first appearance at Bonney Field. Republic FC broke the scoreless tie in the 30th minute, after what had been an uneventful start to the match, with a goal by Agustin Cazaez.
Defender James Kiffe was able to get a cross off from the left wing that sailed over the box, afterward midfielder Danny Barrera collected the cross on the right wing, took a touch towards the middle, and sent a left-footed curling shot at the net. The shot deflected off a Liverpool FC U21s defender to forward Harry Williams who sent a perfectly timed header to the left foot of midfielder Cazarez. Cazarez then sent a one-touch rocket of a shot into the top right corner of the net for the 1-0 lead which held until the half.
Liverpool FC U21s would find an equalizing goal in the 75th minute when second-half substitute Herbie Kane was able to find space in the middle of the pitch. Kane made the Republic FC defense commit to stopping him and he sent a well timed through ball to forward Ryan Kent, who was in behind the Republic FC defense and calmly curled a right-footed shot around Republic FC keeper Dominik Jakubek and into the back of the net.
Republic FC pulled ahead late when Kiffe took it upon himself to give the home side the lead. Kiffe attacked up the left wing and cut inside. Liverpool FC U21s sent four defenders at Kiffe but he was able to weave through all of them and promptly slotted a left-footed driven shot past keeper Lawrence Vigoroux and inside the far post. The late goal from Kiffe proved to be the winner for Republic FC.
Republic FC had numerous chances go begging throughout the match, due in large part to the play of Liverpool FC U21s keeper Vigoroux. The young keeper made five saves on the night keeping Liverpool FC U21s in the match. Cazarez and newcomer Daniel Trickett-Smith were among the attackers stifled by Vigoroux.
“I think we all needed this game“, said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “I thought it was a thoroughly entertaining game. We knew we’d have to be solid, but I think we’ve been solid all season. We looked dangerous“
“The defenders were kind of frozen and I was moving with speed so when I took my touch I was by them”, said Kiffe following the match. “It’s starting to click. Every day we train together, things get better.”
Both clubs will travel to Reno, Nev. to play their second friendly match of the series on Wednesday, May 25. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Greater Nevada Field. Republic FC will return to USL action on Saturday, May 28 when they take on Swope Park Rangers at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Liverpool FC U21s would find an equalizing goal in the 75th minute when second-half substitute Herbie Kane was able to find space in the middle of the pitch. Kane made the Republic FC defense commit to stopping him and he sent a well timed through ball to forward Ryan Kent, who was in behind the Republic FC defense and calmly curled a right-footed shot around Republic FC keeper Dominik Jakubek and into the back of the net.
Republic FC pulled ahead late when Kiffe took it upon himself to give the home side the lead. Kiffe attacked up the left wing and cut inside. Liverpool FC U21s sent four defenders at Kiffe but he was able to weave through all of them and promptly slotted a left-footed driven shot past keeper Lawrence Vigoroux and inside the far post. The late goal from Kiffe proved to be the winner for Republic FC.
Republic FC had numerous chances go begging throughout the match, due in large part to the play of Liverpool FC U21s keeper Vigoroux. The young keeper made five saves on the night keeping Liverpool FC U21s in the match. Cazarez and newcomer Daniel Trickett-Smith were among the attackers stifled by Vigoroux.
“I think we all needed this game“, said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “I thought it was a thoroughly entertaining game. We knew we’d have to be solid, but I think we’ve been solid all season. We looked dangerous“
“The defenders were kind of frozen and I was moving with speed so when I took my touch I was by them”, said Kiffe following the match. “It’s starting to click. Every day we train together, things get better.”
Both clubs will travel to Reno, Nev. to play their second friendly match of the series on Wednesday, May 25. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Greater Nevada Field. Republic FC will return to USL action on Saturday, May 28 when they take on Swope Park Rangers at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Sacramento Republic FC 2:1 Liverpool FC U21s
Friendly Match
Bonney Field – Sacramento, CA
May 21, 2016
Scoring Summary: SRFC – Agustin Cazarez (Harry Williams) 30, James Kiffe 86; Liverpool FC U21s – Ryan Kent (Herbie Kane) 75
Misconduct Summary: Liverpool FC U21s – Kevin Stewart (caution) 76
Liverpool FC U21 – Lawrence Vigoroux; Corey Whelan (Connor Randall 65), Sam Hart, Tom Brewitt (Joe Maguire 65), Lloyd Jones; Matty Virtue (Kevin Stewart 65), Sergi Canos (Toni Gomes 65), Adam Phillips (Herbie Kane 65), Brooks Lennon (jake Brimmer 79), Madger Gomes (Cameron Brannagan 65), Ryan Kent
Subs Not Used: Shamal George, Conor Masterson.
Stats: Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 5, Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 4, Offside: 0.
Sacramento Republic FC – Dominik Jakubek; Carlos Rodriguez (Joaquin Rivas 45), Derek Foran, Chris Christian, James Kiffe; JJ Koval (Thomas Stewart 45), Agustin Cazarez, Danny Barrera (Alfonso Motagalvan 64), Octavio Guzman; Harry Williams (Daniel Trickett-Smith 45), Cameron Iwasa (Max Alvarez 64).
Subs Not Used: Justin Vom Steeg, Matt LaGrass, Mackenzie Pridham, Chase Minter, Pavel Konvrakhin.
Stats: Shots: 16, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 9, Offside: 5.
Sacramento Republic FC 2:1 Liverpool FC U21s
Friendly Match
Bonney Field – Sacramento, CA
May 21, 2016
Scoring Summary: SRFC – Agustin Cazarez (Harry Williams) 30, James Kiffe 86; Liverpool FC U21s – Ryan Kent (Herbie Kane) 75
Misconduct Summary: Liverpool FC U21s – Kevin Stewart (caution) 76
Liverpool FC U21 – Lawrence Vigoroux; Corey Whelan (Connor Randall 65), Sam Hart, Tom Brewitt (Joe Maguire 65), Lloyd Jones; Matty Virtue (Kevin Stewart 65), Sergi Canos (Toni Gomes 65), Adam Phillips (Herbie Kane 65), Brooks Lennon (jake Brimmer 79), Madger Gomes (Cameron Brannagan 65), Ryan Kent
Subs Not Used: Shamal George, Conor Masterson.
Stats: Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 5, Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 4, Offside: 0.
Sacramento Republic FC – Dominik Jakubek; Carlos Rodriguez (Joaquin Rivas 45), Derek Foran, Chris Christian, James Kiffe; JJ Koval (Thomas Stewart 45), Agustin Cazarez, Danny Barrera (Alfonso Motagalvan 64), Octavio Guzman; Harry Williams (Daniel Trickett-Smith 45), Cameron Iwasa (Max Alvarez 64).
Subs Not Used: Justin Vom Steeg, Matt LaGrass, Mackenzie Pridham, Chase Minter, Pavel Konvrakhin.
Stats: Shots: 16, Shots on Goal: 7, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 9, Offside: 5.