Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Phoenix Rising FC

SACRAMENTO, California (May 29, 2021) – Sacramento Republic FC fell for the first time in club history at home against Phoenix Rising FC following a 1-0 result on a chilly night at Heart Health Park.

Shutout losses in back-to-back matches, however, isn’t necessarily cause for concern for head coach Mark Briggs.

“I’m not worrying too much about everybody in that locker room and it will come, but it’s not going to be easy,” Briggs said. “We’re going to face adversity every time we play. It’s how we come back from adversity, but now I’m not worried. I still trust every single person in that locker room.”

Shutout losses in back-to-back matches, however, isn’t necessarily cause for concern for head coach Mark Briggs.

Phoenix and the Indomitable Club played the first 20 minutes primarily in the middle third of the pitch. Phoenix held the early offensive edge with four shots, two coming inside the 18-yard box.

Tómas Gómez was more active in net in the early going compared to SRFC’s last home outing, driving traffic often and stopping two shots from point blank, including one just before the 45th minute.

Phoenix and the Indomitable Club played the first 20 minutes primarily in the middle third of the pitch. Phoenix held the early offensive edge with four shots, two coming inside the 18-yard box.

Shannon Gomez was busy down the right side for Sacramento, as SRFC drove their attack primarily on the wings for the first half. Gomez completed all 10 of his passes in the attacking third and Pete Pennanen led SRFC with four crosses, although it was Kharlton Belmar on the giving end of a cross to Luis Felipe in the 27th minute.

Both sides’ first half offensive production trended towards scoreless draws, the results of the previous two meetings between the clubs in Sacramento.

SRFC opened the second half with the offensive edge, logging a shot and two corners in the opening six minutes, but Phoenix Rising broke the scoreless deadlock in the 62nd minute on a goal from Santiago Moar.

Cam Iwasa subbed into the match in the 70th minute and delivered a strike nine minutes later on the assist from Luis Felipe, just missing the top left corner.

The Indomitable Club is back in action on June 2 with an 8:00 p.m. scheduled kickoff against Oakland Roots SC, the first meeting between the two clubs in franchise history.

Both sides’ first half offensive production trended towards scoreless draws, the results of the previous two meetings between the clubs in Sacramento.

Cam Iwasa subbed into the match in the 70th minute and delivered a strike nine minutes later on the assist from Luis Felipe, just missing the top left corner.

The Indomitable Club is back in action on June 2 with an 8:00 p.m. scheduled kickoff against Oakland Roots SC, the first meeting between the two clubs in franchise history.

Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Phoenix Rising FC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
May 29, 2021

Scoring Summary: PHX – Moar (Asante) 62’

Misconduct Summary: PHX – Rufat Dadashov (caution) 35’, Santi Moar (caution) 48’, Kevon Lambert (caution) 66’

Sacramento Republic FC:Tomás Gómez, Andrew Wheeler-Ominu, Dan Casey, Mitchell Taintor, Shannon Gomez (Jordan McCrary 70’), Duke Lacroix, Fatai Alashe (Cameron Iwasa 70’), Dariusz Formella, (Tucker Bone 69’) Luis Felipe, Petteri Pennanen, Kharlton Belmar (Julian Chavez 87’)

Unused substitutes: Nabi Kibunguchy, Rafael Diaz, Hayden Sargis

Stats – Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 0, Saves: 3, Fouls: 16, Corner Kicks: 7 Offsides: 1.

Phoenix Rising FC:Benjamin Lundt, James Musa, Ryan Flood, Tobi Adewole, Darnell King, Jon Bakero (Joey Calistri 76’), Aodhan Quinn (Joseph Farrell 88’), Kevon Lambert, Rufat Dadashov, Solomon Asante (Sei Adekoya 89’), Santiago Moar (Prince Saydee 69’)

Unused substitutes:Jeremy Kelly, Andre Rawls, Arturo Rodriguez