Sacramento, Calif. (April 26, 2023) – Republic FC secured a spot in the Round of 32 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night, defeating rival Oakland Roots SC by a score of 1-0 at Heart Health Park.
A patient approach from both sides in the first half gave way to a quicker pace in the second. Midfielder Nick Ross netted the game’s only score just after the break, while another stellar defensive effort resulted in the club’s fourth straight clean sheet across all competitions.
The first chance of the night belonged to the visitors, but excellent work between the sticks by Carlos Saldaña deflected away a 30th minute cross from the left. Strong defensive work one-on-one, particularly by Arnold Lopez winning the physical battle, kept Oakland’s attack at bay.
Republic FC opened the scoring just four minutes after halftime. Moving down the left flank, Nick Ross netted a curler from distance for his first Republic FC goal – the Scot’s first since 2021 while a member of El Paso Locomotive FC. The club nearly doubled its lead at the hour mark when Jack Gurr attempted volley on a Russell Cicerone cross.
A strong defensive approach saw out the match for Sacramento, who with the win secured its fourth straight clean sheet across all competitions and seventh on the season.
The Indomitable Club will learn its next opponent in the Round of 32 draw, scheduled for Thursday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m. PT live on the B/R Football and B/R Football YouTube Channel.
Republic FC return to league play this coming Saturday, when they hit the road to Oklahoma to face Eastern Conference side FC Tulsa. Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 3:00PM, and the match will 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 – 0 Oakland Roots SC
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
April 26, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Nick Ross (Russell Cicerone) 49’ OAK – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Keko Gontan (caution) 83’ Sebastian Herrera (caution) 90+2’ OAK – Neveal Hackshaw (caution) 10’, Paul Blanchette (caution) 90+2’ Dariusz Formella (ejection) 90+5’
Sacramento Republic FC: Carlos Saldaña, Jack Gurr (Panzani Ferrety Sousa 75’), Conor Donovan (C), Shane Wiedt, Jared Timmer, Aldair Sanchez, Arnold Lopez (Matt LaGrassa 64’), Luis Felipe, Nick Ross (Luther Archimède 90+2’), Zeiko Lewis (Keko Gontán 75’), Russell Cicerone (Sebastian Herrera 64’)
Unused substitutes: Danny Vitiello, Rafael Jauregui
Oakland Roots SC: Paul Blanchette, Edgardo Rito, Kevin Wright (Napo Matsoso 75’), Neveal Hackshaw, Tarek Morad, Drew Murray, Joseph Nane (C), Trayvone Reid (Brian Tamacas 65’), Irakoz Donaslyano, Dariusz Formella, Anuar Pelaez (Guillermo Diaz 74’)
Unused Substitutes: Taylor Bailey, Daniel Barbir, Emrah Klimenta, Ethan Kohler
