Sacramento, Calif. (October 9, 2022) – Republic FC split the points Sunday in a 1-1 draw at home to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The result snapped the club’s three-match losing streak going into the final regular season match of 2022.
A quiet first half was followed by a back-and-forth effort from each side after the break. Sacramento would break the scoreless stalemate from the penalty spot and put its Steel City foes on their heels, but couldn’t find a second score to secure three points on the afternoon.
Just three minutes in, Keko chased down a long ball from Matt LaGrassa and found space for a shot, which was kept out by a diving stop. But few opportunities were presented to either side for the remainder of the first half. Sacramento nearly pulled ahead in stoppage time before halftime when Jack Gurr sent in service to Rodrigo Lopez crashing the net, but Sacramento’s captain arrived just a hair late as the ball went out for a goal kick.
Republic FC broke the stalemate immediately after halftime. After being taken down in the box, Rodrigo Lopez converted from the penalty spot for his sixth score in league play on the year. The conversion was his fourth successful penalty this season – moving him into fifth league wide on the season.
The club’s lead didn’t last for long, as Pittsburgh answered back moments later. Kenardo Forbes found the net off a Shane Weidt assist to equalize for the Steel City club. Sacramento countered Pittsburgh’s equalizing score with another strong chance, but Douglas Martinez couldn’t steer his 69th minute attempt on frame.
Sacramento ended the contest with a one-man advantage for the second straight match. Pittsburgh’s Arturo Rodriguez was shown red for a second caution just after the start of stoppage time.
One match remains in the regular season for Republic FC. Sacramento will welcome San Diego Loyal SC to Heart Health Park on Fan Appreciation night in the final match ahead of the playoffs. Tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets, and the contest will be broadcast live on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
October 2, 2022
Scoring Summary: SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (penalty) 55’ PIT – Kenardo Forbes (Shane Wiedt) 58’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Matt LaGrassa (caution) 50’ PIT – Mekeil Williams (caution) 34’, Arturo Ordonez (caution) 74’, Arturo Ordonez (caution, ejection) 90+1’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Dan Casey (Luther Archimede 81’), Conor Donovan, Duke Lacroix, Luis Felipe, Matt LaGrassa, Jack Gurr (Ferrety Sousa 88’), Damia Viader, Rodrigo Lopez (C), Douglas Martinez (Maalique Foster 73’, Rafael Jauregui 88’), Keko Gontan (Zeiko Lewis 73’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Tiago Suarez
Stats – Shots: 8, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 1, Fouls: 7, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 2
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Jahmali Waite, Jelani Peters, Mekeil Williams (Daniel Rovira 61’), Arturo Ordonez, Alex Dixon (Angelo Kelly-Rosales 81’), Shane Wiedt, Kenardo Forbes (C) (Mark Ibarra 82’), Charles Mertz Jr. (William Eyang 90’), Daniel Griffin, Russell Cicerone (Edward Kizza 81’), Albert Dikwa
Unused substitutes: Kevin Silva, Toby Sims
Stats – Shots: 8, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 2, Fouls: 13, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 0
