On Saturday night, the boys in Old Glory Red climbed the Western Conference standings up to sixth-place after a 4-0 rout of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Papa Murphy’s Park. Though there were many positives to reflect on from the four-goal rout, here are three that stood out in particular.
On Saturday night, the boys in Old Glory Red climbed the Western Conference standings up to sixth-place after a 4-0 rout of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Papa Murphy’s Park. Though there were many positives to reflect on from the four-goal rout, here are three that stood out in particular.
1. Iwasa is now tied for most all-time appearances.
With his start against Switchbacks FC on Saturday, Cameron Iwasa reached another club milestone. The Sacramento native is now tied with Emrah Klimenta for most USL appearances in Republic FC history at 104. He will likely break the record on Friday night at Phoenix Rising FC, barring an unforeseen absence. Iwasa, who scored a goal and provided an assist on his historic night, is now tied for sixth in the entire league with 11 goals. The assist, his fourth of the season, ties him with Sam Werner as the team’s leader in assists.
1. Iwasa is now tied for most all-time appearances.
With his start against Switchbacks FC on Saturday, Cameron Iwasa reached another club milestone. The Sacramento native is now tied with Emrah Klimenta for most USL appearances in Republic FC history at 104. He will likely break the record on Friday night at Phoenix Rising FC, barring an unforeseen absence. Iwasa, who scored a goal and provided an assist on his historic night, is now tied for sixth in the entire league with 11 goals. The assist, his fourth of the season, ties him with Sam Werner as the team’s leader in assists.
2. New duo deliver on their debuts.
The night couldn’t have gone any better for the dynamic duo making their first career starts for Republic FC.
Danish striker Thomas Enevoldsen, last year’s USL Golden Boot runner-up and USL MVP finalist with Orange County SC, recently signed from Indy Eleven and wasted no time making a positive first impression with two goals on the night. The first came in the 57th minute when Juan Barahona fired a low cross from the left wing into Iwasa in the center of the field who played the ball into space for a sprinting Enevoldsen. The composed forward collected the ball, picked his spot, and delivered a left footed strike to double SRFC’s lead. The 32-year-old striker netted his second of the contest after punishing the Switchbacks FC goalkeeper’s poor clearance with a shot that trickled through the keeper’s hands and across the goalline for a 3-0 lead.
2. New duo deliver on their debuts.
The night couldn’t have gone any better for the dynamic duo making their first career starts for Republic FC.
Danish striker Thomas Enevoldsen, last year’s USL Golden Boot runner-up and USL MVP finalist with Orange County SC, recently signed from Indy Eleven and wasted no time making a positive first impression with two goals on the night. The first came in the 57th minute when Juan Barahona fired a low cross from the left wing into Iwasa in the center of the field who played the ball into space for a sprinting Enevoldsen. The composed forward collected the ball, picked his spot, and delivered a left footed strike to double SRFC’s lead. The 32-year-old striker netted his second of the contest after punishing the Switchbacks FC goalkeeper’s poor clearance with a shot that trickled through the keeper’s hands and across the goalline for a 3-0 lead.
New goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, acquired on loan from Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United FC, made four saves on the night and kept his clean sheet in what was his first match with the Indomitable Club. Shuttleworth is an 11-year MLS veteran and a regular between the sticks for New England Revolution during their 2014 MLS Cup run. His big save in the 86th minute helped preserve the clean sheet—the 12th of the season for Simon Elliott’s men—matching the entirety of last season’s shutouts with 11 games still left to play.
New goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, acquired on loan from Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United FC, made four saves on the night and kept his clean sheet in what was his first match with the Indomitable Club. Shuttleworth is an 11-year MLS veteran and a regular between the sticks for New England Revolution during their 2014 MLS Cup run. His big save in the 86th minute helped preserve the clean sheet—the 12th of the season for Simon Elliott’s men—matching the entirety of last season’s shutouts with 11 games still left to play.
3. Aleman is hitting his stride at a key time.
One of the most impressive performances on the night was that of midfielder Keven Aleman, who was a constant threat to the Colorado Springs back line. The Canadian international provided two assists on the evening, as the midfielder continues to reward Simon Elliott’s trust in him.
3. Aleman is hitting his stride at a key time.
One of the most impressive performances on the night was that of midfielder Keven Aleman, who was a constant threat to the Colorado Springs back line. The Canadian international provided two assists on the evening, as the midfielder continues to reward Simon Elliott’s trust in him.
Aleman’s first assist on the night was a well-timed give-and-go with Jaime Villarreal in the opening half-hour. Villarreal found Aleman who split the visiting defenders with an incisive through ball back to a surging Villarreal’s path. The former LA Galaxy midfielder finished the play off with a clinical shot to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Aleman showed an equal measure of technical finesse with his second assist (see first Tweet above). Enevoldsen saw Aleman making a run towards the box and sent a long ball to the Costa Rica native. Marked by a defender and with his back toward goal, Aleman shouldered the ball down to himself and flicked a sensational pass, without the ball touching the ground, over to an on-rushing Iwasa who rifled his shot into the top corner of the net for Republic FC’s third goal of the night.
Republic FC will look to continue their four-game unbeaten run going as they travel to Arizona on Friday, August 23, to take on Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff against the Western Conference leaders is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.
Aleman’s first assist on the night was a well-timed give-and-go with Jaime Villarreal in the opening half-hour. Villarreal found Aleman who split the visiting defenders with an incisive through ball back to a surging Villarreal’s path. The former LA Galaxy midfielder finished the play off with a clinical shot to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Aleman showed an equal measure of technical finesse with his second assist (see first Tweet above). Enevoldsen saw Aleman making a run towards the box and sent a long ball to the Costa Rica native. Marked by a defender and with his back toward goal, Aleman shouldered the ball down to himself and flicked a sensational pass, without the ball touching the ground, over to an on-rushing Iwasa who rifled his shot into the top corner of the net for Republic FC’s third goal of the night.
Republic FC will look to continue their four-game unbeaten run going as they travel to Arizona on Friday, August 23, to take on Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff against the Western Conference leaders is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.
