Sacramento Republic FC defender James Kiffe was named to USL Team of the Week for week 20 of USL play, after the club went undefeated in two matches in five days.
On Tuesday, Kiffe’s late-match efforts helped Republic FC score three critical road points against Oklahoma City Energy FC. After a goalless first 83 minutes, forward Cameron Iwasa held the ball in the left side of the box, before sending a short ball to Kiffe. Although his first shot was blocked by an Energy FC defender, Kiffe had a chance to take a second shot, sending it past the goalkeeper to score the match-winning goal in Republic FC’s 1-0 win.
Then on Saturday against San Antonio FC, Kiffe’s late-match efforts once again proved crucial, this time salvaging a point for Republic FC in their 1-1 draw. After Republic FC went down a goal early in the match, Kiffe earned a penalty in stoppage time, which midfielder Octavio Guzman converted.
Kiffe leads Republic FC this season in minutes, playing 1,898 minutes in 22 USL appearances, starting 21. He is also the third Republic FC defender to record a goal this season, with Emrah Klimenta scoring two and Mike da Fonte scoring three.
Kiffe is the first Republic FC player to earn multiple Team of the Week honors this season. Defenders da Fonte, Klimenta and Chris Christian, midfielders Tommy Thompson and Danny Barrera and forward Iwasa have all also been named to a USL Team of the Week this season.
Kiffe is joined on USL Team of the Week by goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh (Portland Timbers 2); defenders Dominic Samuel (Rochester Rhinos) and Kevin Garcia (Rio Grande Valley FC); midfielders Yudai Imura (Richmond Kickers), George Davis IV (Louisville City FC), Villyan Bijev (Portland Timbers 2) and Luke Rooney (Arizona United SC); and forwards Sean Okoli (FC Cincinnati), Myron Samuel (Seattle Sounders FC 2) and Chris Cortez (Arizona United SC).
Sacramento Republic FC defender James Kiffe was named to USL Team of the Week for week 20 of USL play, after the club went undefeated in two matches in five days.
On Tuesday, Kiffe’s late-match efforts helped Republic FC score three critical road points against Oklahoma City Energy FC. After a goalless first 83 minutes, forward Cameron Iwasa held the ball in the left side of the box, before sending a short ball to Kiffe. Although his first shot was blocked by an Energy FC defender, Kiffe had a chance to take a second shot, sending it past the goalkeeper to score the match-winning goal in Republic FC’s 1-0 win.
Then on Saturday against San Antonio FC, Kiffe’s late-match efforts once again proved crucial, this time salvaging a point for Republic FC in their 1-1 draw. After Republic FC went down a goal early in the match, Kiffe earned a penalty in stoppage time, which midfielder Octavio Guzman converted.
Kiffe leads Republic FC this season in minutes, playing 1,898 minutes in 22 USL appearances, starting 21. He is also the third Republic FC defender to record a goal this season, with Emrah Klimenta scoring two and Mike da Fonte scoring three.
Kiffe is the first Republic FC player to earn multiple Team of the Week honors this season. Defenders da Fonte, Klimenta and Chris Christian, midfielders Tommy Thompson and Danny Barrera and forward Iwasa have all also been named to a USL Team of the Week this season.
Kiffe is joined on USL Team of the Week by goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh (Portland Timbers 2); defenders Dominic Samuel (Rochester Rhinos) and Kevin Garcia (Rio Grande Valley FC); midfielders Yudai Imura (Richmond Kickers), George Davis IV (Louisville City FC), Villyan Bijev (Portland Timbers 2) and Luke Rooney (Arizona United SC); and forwards Sean Okoli (FC Cincinnati), Myron Samuel (Seattle Sounders FC 2) and Chris Cortez (Arizona United SC).
