Sacramento, California (April 20, 2022) – A stoppage time penalty score at the death advanced Republic FC to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night. Tied into the final moments of stoppage time in the second half, Rodrigo Lopez netted the decider after Matt LaGrassa drew a foul in the penalty area.
After a slow start for each club, Sacramento pressure turned into constant opportunity in the first half. Good defensive work inside from Fuego deflected away two chances before 20 minutes went by, chasing away a 13th minute chance for Luis Felipe and a save that sent away a shot from Keko in the 19th.
The visitors threatened shortly afterward, but good defensive work kept Fuego’s lone shot of the entire half out of net.
Repeated set piece opportunities in the first half put Sacramento on the front foot, however, it wasn’t until the 10th attempt that Republic FC found the net. Dan Casey nearly headed one through in 32nd, and another moments later nearly saw Sacramento score on a recycled ball. Casey would eventually put in the opener just before half time, flicking through a ball played in from Rodrigo Lopez – Sacramento’s second set piece score of this year’s Open Cup.
Sacramento nearly doubled their advantage as rain started to fall in the second half. Moments after entering for Douglas Martinez, Luther Archimede put Republic FC in a great position to score by beating the goalkeeper and centering in a great cross on the ground. But after Sacramento was unable to find net, a Fuego FC score in the 78th minute by Renato Bustamante equalized, knotting things at one apiece.
Both squads threatened as time ticked down and extra time seemed imminent, but Sacramento’s score in the 94th – Rodrigo Lopez’s 50th career goal across all competitions and 30th with the club all-time – ended things before extra time could arrive.
Sacramento will learn their fourth round opponent on Thursday morning, when U.S. Soccer conducts the fourth round draw at 9:00 a.m. PT on the U.S. Soccer YouTube page. The club will be back in action again on Saturday, April 23 when they head to Texas to face off with Rio Grande Valley FC. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PT from Edinburgh, and the match will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 1 Central Valley Fuego FC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
April 20, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Dan Casey (Rodrigo Lopez) 44’, Rodrigo Lopez (penalty) 90+4’ CVF – Renato Bustamante 78’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Matt LaGrassa (caution) 54’ CVF – Nathan Smith (caution) 56’, Francios Dulysse (caution) 80’, Ozzie Ramos (caution) 89’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Duke Lacroix (Damia Viader 66’) , Lee Desmond, Dan Casey, Jack Gurr, Luis Felipe, Matt LaGrassa, Rodrigo Lopez (C), Keko Gontan, Zeiko Lewis (Emil Cuello 80’), Douglas Martinez Jr. (Luther Archimede 66’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldana, Conor Donovan, Rafael Jauregui, Ferrety Sousa
Stats – Shots: 23, Shots on Goal: 11, Saves: 0, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 15, Offsides: 2
Central Valley Fuego FC: Ofek Antman, Nathan Smith, Francios Dulysse, Jordan Chavez, Tunde Akinlousotu, Maxi Schenfeld, Villyan Bijev, Mouhamed Dabo (Anthony Velarde 75’), Ozzie Ramos, Diego Casillas (Renato Bustamante 75’), Christian Chaney
Unused substitutes: Mitchell North, William Gillingham, Julian Chavez, Marco Torralva, Micheal Hornsby
Stats – Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 1, Saves: 7, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 1
