Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone and defender Jack Gurr have been named to the league’s Team of the Week for Week 4. The two players combined for three of Sacramento’s five scores in the club’s victory over 2022 Eastern Conference Champion Louisville City FC last Saturday at Heart Health Park.
Cicerone netted two goals in the contest – his seventh career game with multiple scores. He netted his first in the 28th minute, putting the finishing touch on a cross from Keko on the right flank. In the second half, he took a Rodrigo Lopez through pass and put it over the line with a chipshot score in the 71st minute. Alongside his two goals Cicerone tallied five shots, one of which rattled the crossbar, and one scoring chance. He is the first Republic FC player to score multiple goals in a match this season.
Gurr contributed to each of the club’s first two scores. A well-placed cross led to the club’s opening goal in the fifth minute. After being headed on target by Sebastian Herrera, the ball was put in the net on the follow up by Luis Felipe. Gurr scored the club’s second goal in the 24th minute to double the club’s advantage, punching one through after a Russell Cicerone cross rattled around the visitors’ penalty area. The score was his second of the season – marking the first time in his career he’s netted multiple goals in a single campaign.
The selection is each player’s second this season. Cicerone earned a selection to Team of the Week Bench in Week 1 after scoring the game winner in Sacramento’s Opening Night win at El Paso Locomotive FC. Gurr earned his first career selection in Week 2, being named to Team of the Week Bench after netting the equalizer in the club’s 1-1 draw March 18 against Charleston Battery. Their selections mark the fourth consecutive week Sacramento has been represented on the league’s top squad.
Republic FC takes the pitch on Wednesday as it enters the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Crossfire (NPSL) at Heart Health Park. The club has played in the Open Cup — U.S. Soccer’s National Championship — every year since the club’s inception, posting an overall record of 19 wins and seven losses. Kickoff for Wednesday’s match is set for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets. No broadcast is available, but fans can follow @SacRepublicFC on Twitter for live updates.