In his freshmen season with Republic FC in 2015, forward Cameron Iwasa led all Republic FC rookies in all-competition (815) and USL minutes (507). His playing time, however, was limited as he sat behind numerous veterans who had helped lead Republic FC to the USL Championship the previous year. 2016 has been a whole different story for the forward’s sophomore season
This year has been a breakout year for the midfielder-turned-forward, posting several records in Iwasa’s second season with the club. With just one match left in regular USL play, Iwasa is close to breaking the record for goals scored in a single USL season.
Iwasa is just one goal shy of setting a new club record for most goals scored in a single season. Currently, he is tied with Tommy Stewart for the record with 11 goals in a single USL season., Iwasa became just the third player in Republic FC history to record 10 goals or more in one season, behind Stewart and Rodrigo Lopez. He also scored the quickest goal (38 seconds) in franchise history on June 18, 2016 against Rio Grande Valley FC. To add to his already impressive offensive states, Iwasa also has three assists this season.
“Just being a part of it is huge. Obviously the club is not very old, its’s only the third season in its existence, but still, to be able to say I’m the first to do a couple different things is an honor,” said Iwasa. “It’s a good achievement for me. Obviously there’s good players that have come through this club and to be mentioned in the same sentence is pretty cool.”
The Sacramento native is also the fourth player in club history and the second player this season to record goals in three consecutive matches, scoring in Republic FC’s wins on Aug. 6, Aug. 13 and Aug. 24. Defender Mike da Fonte, who currently sits as Republic FC’s second highest goal scorer with four goals this season, also recorded goals in three consecutive matches between July 2 and July 10.
This season, Iwasa has also overtaken defender Emrah Klimenta in Republic FC all-time all-competition consecutive appearances, appearing in every Republic FC match since September 19, 2015, 38 matches thus far. Iwasa also equaled Klimenta’s all-time all-competition matches started record with his 24th consecutive start during Republic FC’s match on Sept. 17 against LA Galaxy II.
Iwasa is also the Republic FC player with the most consecutive all-time USL starts, with 26 starts, breaking the record of 24 set by Patrick McLain in 2015.
“It’s been a good year. Last year we had a very regular season and then had disappointment in the first game of playoffs. Definitely don’t want to have that happen again,” said Iwasa. “For me personally, this year has been much better than last year. Getting on the field more, playing more, scoring more goals. So that aspect has been great for me. Just overall it’s been a good year personally and for the team as well.”
With just one match left in the regular season, the final standings on Saturday night will determine playoff seeding and first round matchups, but Iwasa is looking forward to another playoff match at home. Republic FC have already secured a first round playoff match, but a win on Saturday against Tulsa Roughnecks FC will elevate the club’s possibilities of hosting more playoff matches if the team were to advance.
“I feel great heading into postseason. Obviously with the chance to be the number one seed in the West going into the last game, it’s been a successful season,” said Iwasa. “We definitely want to turn that into post season success as well. Everyone out here is very confident that we can win some games and make a run to the championship and hopefully bring that trophy back to Sacramento.”
Republic FC will host a first round playoff match on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. The match will be streamed live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday and at YouTube.com/USL.
In his freshmen season with Republic FC in 2015, forward Cameron Iwasa led all Republic FC rookies in all-competition (815) and USL minutes (507). His playing time, however, was limited as he sat behind numerous veterans who had helped lead Republic FC to the USL Championship the previous year. 2016 has been a whole different story for the forward’s sophomore season
This year has been a breakout year for the midfielder-turned-forward, posting several records in Iwasa’s second season with the club. With just one match left in regular USL play, Iwasa is close to breaking the record for goals scored in a single USL season.
Iwasa is just one goal shy of setting a new club record for most goals scored in a single season. Currently, he is tied with Tommy Stewart for the record with 11 goals in a single USL season., Iwasa became just the third player in Republic FC history to record 10 goals or more in one season, behind Stewart and Rodrigo Lopez. He also scored the quickest goal (38 seconds) in franchise history on June 18, 2016 against Rio Grande Valley FC. To add to his already impressive offensive states, Iwasa also has three assists this season.
“Just being a part of it is huge. Obviously the club is not very old, its’s only the third season in its existence, but still, to be able to say I’m the first to do a couple different things is an honor,” said Iwasa. “It’s a good achievement for me. Obviously there’s good players that have come through this club and to be mentioned in the same sentence is pretty cool.”
The Sacramento native is also the fourth player in club history and the second player this season to record goals in three consecutive matches, scoring in Republic FC’s wins on Aug. 6, Aug. 13 and Aug. 24. Defender Mike da Fonte, who currently sits as Republic FC’s second highest goal scorer with four goals this season, also recorded goals in three consecutive matches between July 2 and July 10.
This season, Iwasa has also overtaken defender Emrah Klimenta in Republic FC all-time all-competition consecutive appearances, appearing in every Republic FC match since September 19, 2015, 38 matches thus far. Iwasa also equaled Klimenta’s all-time all-competition matches started record with his 24th consecutive start during Republic FC’s match on Sept. 17 against LA Galaxy II.
Iwasa is also the Republic FC player with the most consecutive all-time USL starts, with 26 starts, breaking the record of 24 set by Patrick McLain in 2015.
“It’s been a good year. Last year we had a very regular season and then had disappointment in the first game of playoffs. Definitely don’t want to have that happen again,” said Iwasa. “For me personally, this year has been much better than last year. Getting on the field more, playing more, scoring more goals. So that aspect has been great for me. Just overall it’s been a good year personally and for the team as well.”
With just one match left in the regular season, the final standings on Saturday night will determine playoff seeding and first round matchups, but Iwasa is looking forward to another playoff match at home. Republic FC have already secured a first round playoff match, but a win on Saturday against Tulsa Roughnecks FC will elevate the club’s possibilities of hosting more playoff matches if the team were to advance.
“I feel great heading into postseason. Obviously with the chance to be the number one seed in the West going into the last game, it’s been a successful season,” said Iwasa. “We definitely want to turn that into post season success as well. Everyone out here is very confident that we can win some games and make a run to the championship and hopefully bring that trophy back to Sacramento.”
Republic FC will host a first round playoff match on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. The match will be streamed live at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday and at YouTube.com/USL.
