Republic FC officially kicks off its 2023 U.S. Open Cup campaign this Wednesday, welcoming Washington side Crossfire to Heart Health Park. The contest marks Sacramento’s eighth entry into American soccer’s oldest competition marking the 108th edition in 2023.
At a Glance: #SACvXFP
- Wednesday, April 5
- 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Tickets
- Watch: FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com, FOX40 News app, ESPN+
The Latest – Republic FC
The match comes during an eventful stretch for Sacramento in which they’re taking on a top team every week in league play. Saturday, the Quails faced off with Louisville City FC at Heart Health Park – putting in a complete performance en route to a 5-0 win. Russell Cicerone netted a brace while Luis Felipe, Jack Gurr, and Keko all found the net as well.
The beginning of the U.S. Open Cup likely brings back memories of last season’s run to the final for the club. As the club enters the tournament, the staff and squad are keeping the past in the past – 2023 marks a new competition with new opponents, new draw possibilities, and so on. This and every game in the tournament will be taken as seriously as ever.
Know Your Opponent
Crossfire reaches the second round after defeating USL League Two squad Project 51O in Round One. After a deadlocked first half, the Washington side netted three scores in the second to take the win and advance. The club earned a spot in this year’s tournament by reaching the 2022 NPSL Final. 2023 marks the team’s first entry in the competition and the second time it has earned a spot in the field – it was slated to take part in the 2020 competition before COVID-19 halted play.
Their club comes to Sacramento capable of making noise with talented players on its roster. Midfielder Christian Soto Rincon patrols their midfield after a 2022 that saw him earn All Pac-12 First Team honors at the University of Washington and win the NPSL Golden Ball – which is awarded to the league’s MVP. A contingent of his college teammates join him on the pitch coming off reaching the 2022 NCAA Tournament as the #2 seed.
History: The Quails in the Second Round
Republic FC has a perfect record in second round matches at 7-0, and each of those seven contests have come on home turf. Perhaps the most memorable was a 1-0 win over league rival Reno 1868 FC in 2019, a match played in tough conditions resulting from wet weather. Last season, the club’s contest with Portland Timbers U23 in the second round matched the largest victory in club history at 6-0.
