Sacramento, Calif. (April 15, 2023) – Republic FC continued its unbeaten run to start the 2023 season Saturday, besting Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4-0 at Heart Health Park. The win puts Sacramento in sole possession of first place in the Western Conference table with 14 points, tied for the most in the league.
A fast start got the Indomitable Club ahead early, with first-half scores from Russell Cicerone, Damia Viader, and Luis Felipe, before Luther Archimède added one just before the final whistle. The match marked Sacramento’s fourth consecutive clean sheet in league play, and fifth on the season.
Russell Cicerone netted his 50th career score, marking his fourth goal in league play this season in the 10th minute. He added an assist later in the first half, continuing a torrid April that’s seen the forward net five scores across all competitions. He flicked along a Rodrigo Lopez cross to Damia Viader on the back post in the 37th minute that the Spaniard put over the line for his first of the season.
Luis Felipe netted his third on the season just before the break, putting through a cross from Jack Gurr on the right flank to extend the club’s advantage to three. Gurr had a stellar night on the defensive end alongside the assist, winning eight of ten one-on-one duels.
Colorado Springs would put pressure on the Quails early to the tune of 11 first-half shots. But the visitors were unable to break through as Sacramento put in another stellar defensive effort. Five saves from Danny Vitiello denied the best chances from Colorado’s attack as the New York native tallied his 30th career clean sheet.
Switchbacks FC finished the contest with 10 men. Defender Macauley King was shown a second caution and subsequent ejection with ten minutes to go after a high kick contacted the face of Luther Archimède.
Next week, Republic FC welcomes Detroit City FC to Heart Health Park for the second of three straight home matches. Tickets for the match are available at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets, and the contest will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
Sacramento Republic FC 4 – 0 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
April 15, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Russell Cicerone 9’, Damia Viader (Russell Cicerone) 37’, Luis Felipe (Jack Gurr) 45+1’, Luther Archimede 90+5’ COS – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 47’, Arnold Lopez (caution) 56’, Aldair Sanchez (caution) 71’, Zeiko Lewis (caution) 90+3’, Matt LaGrassa (cautionCOS – Macauley King (caution) 4’, Maalique Foster (caution) 10’, Devon “Speedy” Williams (caution) 15’, Steven Echevarria (caution) 46’, Macauley King (second caution and ejection) 79’, Aaron Wheeler (caution) 90’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Jack Gurr, Conor Donovan, Shane Wiedt, Jared Timmer, Damia Viader (Aldair Sanchez 67’), Arnold Lopez (Matt LaGrassa 83’), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Nick Ross 86’), Russell Cicerone (Zeiko Lewis 83’), Keko Gontan (Luther Archimède 66’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Johnny Fenwick
Stats – Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 6, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Christian Herrera, Duke Lacroix, Macauley King, Matt Mahoney (C), Patrick Seagrist (Oskar Agren 60’), Devon “Speedy” Williams, Steven Echevarria (Aaron Wheeler 60’), Drew Skundrich, Deshane Beckford, Maalique Foster (Jimmy Ockford 80’), Romario Williams
Unused Substitutes: Joe Kuzminsky, Dennis Erdman, Jairo Henriquez, Dillon Clarke
Stats – Shots: 19, Shots on Goal: 6, Saves: 6, Fouls: 19, Corner Kicks: 8, Offsides: 2
