Sacramento, Calif. (March 18, 2023) – Republic FC nabbed a well-earned point in a 1-1 draw against Charleston Battery in Saturday night’s home opener.
The result came while playing with 10 men for a bulk of the match after Luis Felipe was shown a second caution in the 36th minute. Sacramento fought back from an early deficit, netting an equalizing score just after the break. The club’s backline put in another stellar effort, keeping their foes out of net in the second half amidst pressure from a strong Charleston attack.
Russell Cicerone picked up where he left off from the season opener. An 11th minute shot from distance went off the crossbar and nearly bounced in before finding the feet of Rodrigo Lopez, whose second effort was saved. Later on, Cicerone put another attempt from distance just wide of the left post.
Charleston opened the scoring in in the 22nd minute. Midfielder AJ Paterson headed one through after the ball rattled around in Sacramento’s penalty area.
Before the halftime whistle sounded, Luis Felipe was shown a second caution and red card for a foul while pushing into the attacking third from the midfield.
With Charleston aggressive early in the second half trying to take advantage of being up a man, Sacramento equalized in the 55th minute. Russell Cicerone assisted Jack Gurr from the left flank, putting each player’s name on the score sheet for the second straight week.
The club continued to push as time ticked down, nearly going ahead just before stoppage time when Luther Archimède sent a dangerous opportunity just wide of the left post after a great run to break into space. Despite five shots on target from the visitors in the second half, Sacramento’s backline stood tall to keep pressure away from Danny Vitiello in goal and secure a point on the night.
Republic FC continues a three-match homestand next week, when San Diego Loyal SC visits Heart Health Park on March 25. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. The match will also be broadcast live in English and Spanish on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 1 Charleston Battery
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
March 18, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Jack Gurr (Russell Cicerone) 55’ CHS – AJ Paterson (Fidel Barajas) 22’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Luis Felipe (caution) 33’ Luis Felipe (caution, ejection) 36’, Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 79’, CHS – Chris Allan (caution) 12’, Andrew Booth (caution) 14’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Jack Gurr (Keko Gontán 86′), Damia Viader, Conor Donovan, Shane Wiedt, Jared Timmer, Arnold Lopez (Matt LaGrassa 86′), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C), Russell Cicerone (Zeiko Lewis 89′), Sebastian Herrera (Luther Archimède 75’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Aldair Sanchez, Johnny Fenwick
Stats – Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 4, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 4
Charleston Battery: Trey Muse, Derek Dodson, Andrew Booth (Donte Polvara 52’), Leland Arthur, AJ Paterson (C), Deklan Wynne, Chris Allan, Emilio Ycaza (Robbie Crawford 84′), Fidel Barajas (Tristan Trager 74’), Nick Markanich, Augustine Williams
Unused Substitutes: Dan Kuzemka, AJ Cochran, Juan Palma, Aidan Apodaca
Stats – Shots: 13, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 1, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 4
