Republic FC claimed their first clean sheet since June 18 Saturday, shutting out Phoenix Rising FC in a tough assignment on the road. The scoreless draw gave Sacramento a crucial point in the table coming off a tough loss at home to Birmingham on July 16 at home.
Welcome to the Show
Sacramento’s matchday roster featured a bevy of changes from last week’s contest. Most notably, however, academy products Tiago Suarez, Pepe Venegas and Michaelaaron Ortez found their names on the list, with Suarez in the starting XI. In their first taste of first-team action, Venegas and Suarez performed well, with the latter leading the squad in successful one-on-one duels. The duo’s minutes in Phoenix make them the 10th and 11th players developed through Republic FC’s academy system to appear in a first-team match, and the second and third this season to make their first team debut.
“They were amazing tonight,” said goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña of the youngsters’ performance. “…We knew it was gonna be a little bit of work. But they did their thing… they were courageous, they went out and [had a] huge, huge, huge double debut. That’s a huge zero to start with and [it’s] only up from here for both of them.”
Seven for Saldaña
As a part of Mark Briggs lineup shuffle, Carlos Saldana was penciled into the lineup for the first time since June 18. The Vallejo native put in an excellent performance, taking on a staggering 26 shots from the hosts and not letting even one go through. He tallied seven saves – setting a new career high, and recorded his third clean sheet in as many performances dating to May 8 against New York Red Bulls II.
“I thought Carlos [Saldaña] was fantastic. He stepped up in big moments and made big saves for us which was what we needed,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “I thought he was also very good with possession with the ball at his feet. So I’m over the moon for Carlos to get the minutes and show the quality he has.”
Inches From the Win
While Republic FC may have been bested on the stat sheet – just one play may have kept Sacramento from taking a victory. A 74th minute attack for Sacramento with numbers in transition eventually put the ball at the feet of Rafa Jauregui, who rocketed a right-footed shot towards the top corner after surveying his options. The 18-year-old’s clean strike beat the goalkeeper, but in a turn of tough luck bounced away after hitting the left post. It’s the second match in a row that the woodwork has stood in the way of a game-changing goal, and the sixth time this season a Sacramento player has hit the post.
