San Antonio, Texas (September 24, 2022) – Republic FC fell 1-0 to league-leader San Antonio FC on Saturday night, closing the season fixture with the Texas club. Late chances for the Indomitable Club nearly evened the score line late, but Sacramento would finish the contest without a ball over the line.
San Antonio finished the match with ten men after defender Shannon Gomez was sent off, but a first-half finish from distance provided the hosts all the scoring they would need. Sacramento was held scoreless for the first time since in six league matches as the club’s two-match win streak came to an end in the Lone Star state.
Mark Briggs men absorbed some pressure early, with the hosts tallying 11 shots in the first half to Sacramento’s four. A pair of early saves kept San Antonio out of net, but the opening score eventually came for the hosts after forward Samuel Adeniran put a strike from the top of the penalty box into the net in the 17th minute.
The Quails eventually found their footing, and nearly equalized less than ten minutes later. An attempt inside the box from Keko in the 25th minute challenged the Texas club, but the Spaniard’s shot was deflected into the hands of San Antonio’s goalkeeper. Sacramento kept the pressure on for the remainder of the half, but chances from Jack Gurr and Maalique Foster taking advantage of an errant touch each missed the target.
Offensive-minded changes in the second half boosted Republic FC’s presence up top. The club came close to finding a score just after the break, as Douglas Martinez and Deshorn Brown provided a different look for San Antonio to contend with. Brown helped the club create a dangerous chance on the build-up just after the hour mark, but Damia Viader’s cross from the left was stopped by a diving effort from Jordan Farr between the sticks. A great opportunity from Martinez came inches from the target in stoppage time, but his shot went just a hair wide as the hosts would hold on to secure the top spot in the Western Conference.
Following the match, Sacramento returns home on a quick turnaround. Phoneix Rising FC makes their final visit to Heart Health Park this season on Wednesday, September 28. The match – also the club’s Noche Latina celebration Powered by SMUD – will kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are still available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets, and the contest will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
SacramentoRepublic FC 1 – 0 San Antonio FC
USL Championship
Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas
September 24, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC – None SA – Samuel Adeniran (Victor Giro) 17’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 30’, Maalique Foster (caution) 50’, Nick Ross (caution) 62’, Douglas Martinez (caution) 69’, Luther Archimede (caution) 90+6’, Dan Casey (ejection) 90+10′ SA – Victor “PC” Giro (caution) 28’, Connor Maloney (caution) 33’, Shannon Gomez (caution) 45+3’, Mitchell Taintor (caution) 75’, Shannon Gomez (second caution) 84’, Shannon Gomez (ejection) 84’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Duke Lacroix, Conor Donovan, Dan Casey, Damia Viader (Luther Archimede 83’), Nick Ross (Deshorn Brown 63’), Jack Gurr, Matt LaGrassa (Luis Felipe 45’), Maalique Foster (Emil Cuello 79’), Rodrigo Lopez (C), Keko Gontan (Douglas Martinez 45’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Tiago Suarez
Stats – Shots: 15, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 4, Fouls: 13. Corner Kicks: 0, Offsides: 0
San Antonio FC: Jordan Farr, Connor Maloney, Carter Manley, Jasser Khmiri (Nicky Hernandez 45’), Mitchell Taintor, Shannon Gomez, Cristian Parano (Elliot Collier 78’), Mohammad Abu, Victor “PC” Giro (C) (Fabien Garcia 45’), Ignacio Bailone (Jordy Delem 90+3’), Samuel Adeniran (Jack Lynn 83’)
Unused substitutes: Jude Bosshardt, David Loera
Stats – Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 3, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 2
