Montclair, New Jersey (May 8, 2022) – Republic FC returned to winning ways Sunday, taking three points and their second clean sheet of the season against New York Red Bulls II. Excellent work up top from Sacramento substitutes helped the club break through after 87 minutes of scoreless play.
Emil Cuello paced the club with five shots from the midfield, while Rafa Jauregui threatened constantly in the final 30 minutes off the bench to provide ample opportunity for Sacramento throughout the contest. But the club was unable to find the net until Luther Archimede found Maalique Foster for a late score in his season debut, his first goal as a member of Republic FC.
Sacramento appeared to open the scoring not yet 15 minutes in, but a great opportunity created was called back for offside. Streaking down the right flank in transition, Ferrety Sousa found Keko behind New York’s back line up top, but the Spaniard was just a tad too quick off the line. The hosts nearly answered with a score moments later – but Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s point-blank chance didn’t find the target.
Two big stops from New York kept things scoreless just after 20-minute mark. A recycled ball that fell to Emil Cuello gave Sacramento a close-range chance, however, the hosts’ defensive position kept the midfielder’s shot from going through. Cuello found another great opportunity to put his club ahead just before the end of the half, but a great save in goal again kept Cuello’s look out.
More excellent goalkeeping kept Sacramento from scoring on a cluster of set-piece opportunities just after the start of the second half. New York’s Ioannis Nikopoldis came up with two huge saves before five minutes went by after the break, keeping corner kicks served in from Damia Viader from being played by Republic FC in the box. Just after the hour mark, Nikopoldis kept another great chance from the visitors out, punching away a rocket from Emil Cuello from the top of the penalty area.
Changes in the second half for Republic FC provided some offensive reinforcement. Luther Archimede and Rafa Jauregui pushed the pace for Sacramento on the attacking end – with Jauregui forcing another great save from Nikopoldis in the 71st minute and putting a great look just left of the target moments later.
The Indomitable Club closes out their four-in-twelve day stretch this coming Wednesday, May 11, when they return to the U.S. Open Cup for the Round of 32 against Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. from Heart Health Park, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 0 New York Red Bulls II
USL Championship
MSU Soccer Park, Montclair, New Jersey
May 8, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Maalique Foster (Luther Archimede) 88’ NY – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC– Conor Donovan (caution) 21’, Damia Viader (caution) 58’, Luther Archimede (caution) 75’, Maalique Foster (caution) 88’, Luther Archimede (caution) 90+2’, Luther Archimede (ejection) 90+3’ NY – Juan Castillo (caution) 17’, Cameron Harper (caution) 23’, Curtis Ofori (caution) 27’, John Murphy (caution) 73’, Jason Pendant (caution) 78’, John Murphy (caution) 90+3’, John Murphy (ejection) 90+3’, Michael Knapp (caution) 90+6’
Sacramento Republic FC: Carlos Saldana, Damia Viader, Conor Donovan, Dan Casey, Duke Lacroix, Luis Felipe, Matt LaGrassa (C), Ferrety Sousa, Keko Gontan (Rafa Jauregui 65’), Emil Cuello (Maalique Foster 82’), Douglas Martinez (Luther Archimede 65’)
Unused substitutes: Danny Vitiello, Tiago Suarez, Michaelaaron Ortez, Leonardo Martinez
Stats – Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 2, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 8
New Mexico United: Ioannis Nikopoldis, Juan Castillo (C), Daniel De Leon, Christopher Cragwell, Curtiz Ofori (Jason Pendant 45’), Sam Williams, Steven Sserwadda (Michael Knapp 84’), Cameron Harper (Wikelman Carmona 45’), Jonathan Filipe, Jordan Adebayo-Smith (John Murphy 70’), Jeremy Rafanello
Unused substitutes: Derrek Bhan, Illia Tyrkus
Stats – Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 1
