Sacramento, Calif. (July 9, 2022) – The Indomitable Club once again lives up to its name with a thriller at Heart Health Park. Republic FC would split the points with regional foe Oakland Roots SC Saturday, keeping alive the club’s home unbeaten streak thanks to some late match heroics.
The two clubs traded punches throughout the evening, but Sacramento would have the last laugh when Luis Felipe headed through a Rodrigo Lopez cross at the death to steal a point and defend home turf.
Republic FC got off to a fast start, putting Oakland on their heels almost immediately following the opening whistle. After nearly opening the scoring with a pair of chances from Jack Gurr and Luis Felipe, Sacramento went up 1-0 in the 11thminute. Good pressure on the visitors’ goal line from Douglas Martinez put a rebound at the feet of Maalique Foster, who sent the ball along to Rodrigo Lopez wide open crashing net for the opening score.
Sacramento kept their foot on the gas, challenging Oakland again in the 20th minute. But Roots clawed their way back, putting a great look on frame in the 23rd before equalizing in the 27th off the foot of Juan Azocar.
Republic FC answered the Roots equalizer just before halftime. A successful challenge from Duke Lacroix cleared away an Oakland threat, before the ball slipped past the visitor’s backline. Maalique Foster won the footrace from the midfield stripe for the ball before netting the score – his fourth this season and third in as many games.
The two clubs traded punches after the break; Roots pulled even 10 minutes after halftime when Magnus Karlsson netted his first of two scores on the night. Sacramento answered with a pair of dangerous chances – with Maalique Foster nearly finding his way in. But Roots would go ahead on Karlsson’s second of the match in the 70th minute, an advantage they’d hold until the final attack on the night when Sacramento’s late equalizer rippled the back of the net in stoppage time.
Following Saturday’s draw, Republic FC will welcome Birmingham Legion FC to Heart Health Park – with the California State Fair in the backdrop for the first time in three seasons. Kickoff from Heart Health Park is set for 8:00 p.m., and the match will be broadcast live on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, as well as streaming on ESPN+.
Sacramento Republic FC 3 – 3 Oakland Roots SC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
July 9, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC–Rodrigo Lopez (Maalique Foster) 11, Maalique Foster 44’, Luis Felipe (Rodrigo Lopez) 90’ OAK – Juan Azocar (Edgardo Rito) 27’, Magnus Karlsson (Alejandro Fuenmayor) 55’, Magnus Karlsson 70’
Misconduct Summary: SAC–Mark Briggs (caution) 40’, Luis Felipe (caution) 59’, Dan Casey (caution) 78’ OAK – Juan Guerra (caution) 40’, Tarek Morad (caution) 74’, Mikael Johnsen (caution) 78’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, Duke Lacroix (KekoGontan 79’), Jack Gurr (Ferrety Sousa 89’), DamiaViader, Luis Felipe, Matt LaGrassa (Nick Ross 67’), Rodrigo Lopez (C), Maalique Foster (Luther Archimede 79’), Douglas Martinez (Emil Cuello 67’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldana, Zeiko Lewis
Stats – Shots:14, Shots on Goal: 7,Saves: 7,Fouls: 8, Corner Kicks: 5,Offsides: 2
Oakland Roots SC: Paul Blanchette, Tarek Morad, Alejandro Fuenmayor, EmrahKlimenta (C), Guillermo Diaz, Joseph Nane (Matias Fissore 32’), Jose Hernandez, Edgardo Rito, Mikael Johnsen (Darek Formella 78’), Magnus Karlsson, Juan Azocar (Jesus Enriquez 85’)
Unused substitutes: Taylor Bailey, Daniel Barbir, Jonathan Rodriguez, Javier Mariona
Stats – Shots:21, Shots on Goal: 10,Saves: 4,Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 8,Offsides: 0
