Sacramento, Calif. (August 27, 2022) – Republic FC defeated Oakland Roots SC 1-0 on Saturday night, securing the club their first victory over the Bay Area side in seven all-time meetings. The victory gives Republic FC the win in the season fixture with their NorCal neighbors.
The visitors’ chances were largely kept to a minimum throughout the night. Oakland finished the contest with 10 shots – and saw their best opportunities saved by Danny Vitiello in goal or go over the bar, putting only three on target. Sacramento put on a clinic offensively, posting 17 shots and peppering the visitors with pressure despite conceding possession.
Republic FC opened the scoring in the 21st minute, putting one over the line off a Rodrigo Lopez corner kick. Conor Donovan got his head on the ball for his second score on the season. Lopez’s assist moved him into sole possession of fifth place on the league’s all-time leaderboard with 41.
Moments after the opening score, Sacramento saw a golden opportunity to extend their advantage go off the post. Damia Viader beat a defender on the left before crossing the ball into space in the penalty box. Jack Gurr’s initial attempt hit the woodwork before a follow-up from Lopez met the same fate.
Roots nearly equalized at the 39-minute mark, when a shot from distance took a rare bounce off the chest of Danny Vitiello. Crashing the net, Oakland’s Dariusz Formella couldn’t square up his attempt from point-blank range allowing Vitiello to corral it and keep his club ahead.
Roots’ Paul Blanchette kept Sacramento’s advantage to one heading into the break. Damia Viader moved Sacramento into the attacking third, after beating two defenders on the run. An errant clearance eventually found its way to Keko, who put a great look on frame kept out only by a diving stop.
Sacramento got right back to work putting pressure on in the second half. Finding themselves with numbers up top just after the hour mark, Rodrigo Lopez took possession of an errant clearance and sent it along to Luis Felipe. The Brazilian’s attempt was stopped, but rattled around in the box long enough for Deshorn Brown to get a foot on it but put it off the woodwork.
The Indomitable club returns to action on Saturday, September 3 from Louisville, Kentucky, in their final match before the U.S. Open Cup Final. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT from Lynn Family Stadium, and the match will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, and streaming on ESPN+. Republic FC will return home on September 10, for a league match against Loudon United FC.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 0 Oakland Roots SC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
August 27, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC– Conor Donovan (Rodrigo Lopez) 21’, OAK – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC– Keko Gontan (caution) 28’, Luis Felipe (caution) 66’, Deshorn Brown (caution) 84’OAK – Charlie Dennis (caution) 19’, Jose Hernandez (caution) 42’, Dariusz Formella (caution) 43’, Mikael Torset Johnsen (caution) 67’, Lindo Mfeka (caution) 72’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond (Josh Bauer 75’), Conor Donovan, Damia Viader, Jack Gurr, Matt LaGrassa (Nick Ross 85’), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Duke Lacroix 85’), Keko Gontan (Douglas Martinez 75’), Maalique Foster (Deshorn Brown 63’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Zeiko Lewis
Stats – Shots: 17, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 3, Fouls: 16, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 2
Oakland Roots SC: Paul Blanchette, Edgardo Rito, Tarek Morad, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Emrah Klimenta (C) (Jonathan Rodriguez 83’), Juan Azocar, Jose Hernandez, Mattias Fissore (Lindo Mfeka 63’), Mikael Torset Johnsen (Guillermo Diaz 78’), Charlie Dennis (Joseph Nane 63’), Dariusz Formella
Unused substitutes: Taylor Bailey, Daniel Barbir, Jesus Eniquez
Stats – Shots: 10, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 4, Fouls: 11, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 2
