SACRAMENTO, California (April 2, 2022) – Two penalty scores late claimed Sacramento all three points on Saturday night against Monterey Bay FC at Heart Health Park.
Persistence up top for the hosts kept Monterey Bay on their heels in their first regular season visit to Sacramento. Continued pressure allowed Republic FC to draw and convert on two penalties – their league-leading third and fourth scores from the spot this season.
Sacramento tried their luck over the top throughout the first half, working to take advantage of space behind a Monterey backline playing high. The strategy did well to generate opportunities – the Quails would find possession 40 times and tally 10 shots. Just two attempts would go on target however, allowing the visitors to keep the score tied entering the break.
A bevy of set piece opportunities early also put pressure on the visitors. An 8th minute corner played long to Jack Gurr caught Monterey by surprise, but the defender’s attempt was blocked. Six more throughout the first half allowed Keko and RoRo Lopez to rack up chances.
Just after making two changes at the hour mark, Republic FC nearly broke the stalemate. Jack Gurr took a recycled ball from 35 yards out and rocketed it in to the surprise of Dallas Jaye in goal, but the Englishman’s attempt rolled out of bounds after hitting the left post. Moments later, Luther Archimede drew a foul just outside the penalty area for a set piece, but the shot from RoRo Lopez was stopped by the wall.
Monterey Bay came inches from taking the lead in the 75th, but Chris Cortez’s attempt to finish a sudden cross from the left went just inches wide. Sacramento found an opportunity on the counter when Duke Lacroix put a move on Morey Doner – who took Lacroix down for a penalty. Rodrigo Lopez buried the attempt to put Sacramento up, and five minutes later, Luther Archimede buried another for his first score of the year.
Next week, Republic FC return to U.S. Open Cup play when the Indomitable Club hosts Portland Timbers U-23 on Thursday, April 7 at Heart Health Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ or U.S. Soccer’s Youtube page. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets.
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 1 Monterey Bay F.C.
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
April 2, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Rodrigo Lopez (penalty) 78’, Luther Archimede (penalty) 87’ MB – Chase Boone (Robert Crawford) 90’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Matt LaGrassa (caution) 23’ Keko Gontan (caution) 58’ MB – James Murphy (caution) 54’, Kai Greene (caution) 67’, Morey Doner 77’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Jack Gurr, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, Duke Lacroix (Ferrety Sousa 82’), Matt LaGrassa, Luis Felipe (Zeiko Lewis 72’), Nick Ross, Rodrigo Lopez (C), Keko Gontán (Emil Cuello 61’), Douglas Martínez Jr. (Luther Archimede 61’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldana, Conor Donovan, Rafa Jauregui,
Stats – Shots: 17, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 3, Fouls: 16, Corner Kicks: 9, Offsides: 2
Monterey Bay F.C.: Dallas Jaye, Hugh Roberts (C), Morey Doner, Grant Robinson (Jiro Toyama 53’), Kai Greene, James Murphy, Mobi Fehr, Sam Gleadle (Robert Crawford 54’), Walmer Martinez, Chase Boone, Seku Conneh (Christopher Cortez 31’)
Unused substitutes: Jesse Maldonado, Samuel Strong, Simon Dawkins, Adrian Rebollar
Stats – Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 2, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 2
