Sacramento, Calif. (August 17, 2022) – Republic FC put in a dominating effort Wednesday, defeating Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 3-0 at Heart Health Park. The victory moves the Indomitable club ahead of New Mexico United into fourth place in the Western Conference and just two points back of Colorado Springs for third.
Sacramento got things going early and never looked back, taking advantage of a struggling Switchbacks backline all evening. The Quails finished with 20 shots, putting six on target and outplaying the Rocky Mountain club on all fronts for all 90 minutes.
Republic FC found the opening score in the 12th minute when Maalique Foster netted his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Service from the right by Jack Gurr was deflected out into space before the ball bounced around in the penalty area for the Jamaican to put it through.
Just after the half-hour mark, Matt LaGrassa put through Sacramento’s second score of the night from distance. After Gurr and Rodrigo Lopez traded passes on the left, Sacramento’s captain sent the ball into the middle for the midfielder, who pushed forward and put a well-paced shot on the floor from 35 yards out – his third score of the season and second in league play. Gurr later helped his club put in a third score before the break, assisting Keko just after the start of stoppage time.
Republic FC put on an offensive clinic in the second half, tallying nine shots by the hour mark. Keko led the way, tallying four alone after the break and nearly finding the net on two occasions before being lifted in the 78th minute for Deshorn Brown to make his home debut. The club nearly put in a fourth score in the 61st minute, but excellent goalkeeping denied a Rodrigo Lopez penalty.
Republic FC closes out their three-in-eight day stretch on the road this coming Saturday against Las Vegas Lights FC. Kickoff from Cashman field is set for 7:30 p.m., and the contest will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 App, and streaming on ESPN+. Sacramento will return home the following Saturday for their final NorCal derby of the season with Oakland Roots SC on August 27.
Sacramento Republic FC 3 – 0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
August 17, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Maalique Foster 12’, Matt LaGrassa (Rodrigo Lopez) 32’, Keko Gontan (Jack Gurr) 45+1’, COS – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC– Luis Felipe (caution) 30’, Jack Gurr (caution) 38’, Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 45+3’, Ross Cain (caution) 45+5’, Douglas Martinez (caution) 90+4 COS – Bret Halsey (caution) 46’, Triston Hodge (caution) 60’, Stevie Echevarria (caution) 73’,
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Dan Casey, Conor Donovan, Josh Bauer, Jack Gurr (Ferrety Sousa 84’), Damia Viader (Duke Lacroix 85’), Matt LaGrassa, Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Nick Ross 74’), Keko Gontan (Deshorn Brown
78’), Maalique Foster (Douglas Martinez 74’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Emil Cuello
Stats – Shots: 20, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 3, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Jeff Caldwell, Isaiah Foster, Jimmy Ockford (Bret Halsey 45’), Matt Mahoney, Triston Hodge, Beverly Makangila (Stevie Echevarria 45’), Cam Lindley, Issa Rayyan (Jairo Henriquez Ferrufino 45’), Michee Ngalina, Hadji Barry (C), Elvis Amoh (Aaron Wheeler 67’)
Unused substitutes: Christian Herrera, Dennis Erdmann, Kharlton Belmar
Stats – Shots: 11, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 3, Fouls: 18, Corner Kicks: 1, Offsides: 4
