SACRAMENTO, California (March 27, 2022) – More second-half fireworks for Sacramento gave the club its second win to start the season on Sunday, a 2-1 victory over FC Tulsa at Heart Health Park.
Rodrigo Lopez tallied his 10,000th career minute in USL Regular Season play, and Duke Lacroix buried his first goal of the season – his second in a Republic FC uniform – in the 87th minute to give Republic FC their ninth all-time victory over the Oklahoma side in their 11th meeting.
The two squads traded possession to open the match; however, both struggled to create a threat for the opposing backline. Two shots from Sacramento from Matt Lagrassa and Jack Gurr were all either team would muster before the visitors found net in the 29th minute when Rodrigo da Costa’s cross found its way inside the right post.
Sacramento would answer back immediately. After taking possession in the middle third, Mark Briggs Men advanced into Tulsa territory, where Rodrigo Lopez threaded a ball into Douglas Martinez, who was taken down just after entering the box. Martinez converted the penalty attempt for his second score of the year.
Pace out of the break generated a handful of chances for the hosts, putting Tulsa on their heels. Rodrigo Lopez put a great look on frame in the 51st minute, but after receiving a ball on the left from Lee Desmond his shot was corralled by goalkeeper Sean Lewis. The hosts threatened again moments later when Keko found Douglas Martinez inside the box, but Lewis denied Sacramento again to keep the score tied.
Chances continued to come for the Indomitable Club as time ticked down – after entering for Ferrety Sousa, Duke Lacroix nearly gave Republic FC the lead with a rocket from the left flank that went off the post. Luther Archimede provided another spark off the bench, winning three balls in the Air. But it was Lacroix who put the nail in the coffin, breaking out into space in the 87th minute and punching one through for his second goal in a Sacramento uniform.
Republic FC’s 2022 season continues next Saturday, April 2, when Monterey Bay FC makes their first regular-season visit to the Indomitable City. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com, and the FOX40 News mobile app, as well as streaming on ESPN+. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets/.
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 1 FC Tulsa
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
March 27, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Douglas Martinez (penalty) 33’, Duke Lacroix (Douglas Martinez)87’ TUL –Rodrigo da Costa 29’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Douglas Martinez (caution) 41’, Luther Archimede (caution) 80’ TUL – Adrián Diz Pe (caution) 32’, Petar Cuic (caution) 71’, Jorge Luis Corrales (caution) 83’, Gabi Torres (caution) 88’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Ferrety Sousa (Duke Lacroix 69’), Jack Gurr, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, Matt Lagrassa (Luther Archimède 69’), Keko Gontan (Zeiko Lewis 77’), Nick Ross (Mario Penagos 77’), Douglas Martinez Jr. (Conor Donovan 90’), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C)
Unused substitutes: Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez, Rafael Jauregui
Stats – Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 2, Fouls: 16, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 2
FC Tulsa: Sean Lewis, Bradley Bourgeois (C), Adrián Diz Pe, Johnny Fenwick, Kembo Kibato, Petar Cuic (Jorge Luis Corrales 73’), Eric Bird (“Machuca” Marlon Ramirez 57’), Darío Suárez, Rodrigo da Costa, Gabi Torres, Brian Brown (JJ Williams 57’)
Unused substitutes: Austin Wormell, Matheus Silva, Abuchi Obinwa, Jesus Hernandez
Stats – Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 3, Fouls: 18, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 3