Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone was named to Team of the Week for Week 10. Cicerone netted a hat trick in the club’s 3-1 win Saturday vs. Indy Eleven at Heart Health Park, the club’s ninth straight unbeaten result in league play this season.
Cicerone’s first two scores came within five minutes of each other after the opening whistle sounded. In just the third minute, the forward chipped the ball in from outside the penalty area after aggressive play from Sebastian Herrera left an open net for Sacramento’s fastest goal this season. Another in the eighth minute doubled his club’s advantage and went down as the winner, before he netted his third of the match late in the second half. Sacramento charged down the field in transition, with substitute Zeiko Lewis assisting the game-sealing goal with four minutes remaining.
In addition to his three scores, Cicerone tallied four shots, putting each on target. The performance marked the Michigan native’s second career hat trick, with the first coming on August 23, 2021 while he was a member of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and his third multi-goal game this season. It was the first hat trick scored by a Republic FC player since March 24, 2019, when Cameron Iwasa scored three times in the first half against Oklahoma City Energy FC at Heart Health Park, and the fifth all-time.
The selection is the 17th of Cicerone’s career. Including this week, Cicerone has been named to the league’s top squad on three occasions this season, previously earning the honor in Week 1 and again in Week 4. His 3rd minute score has been nominated for the league’s Goal of the Week – voting is open now and closes at 9:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 18 at USLChampionship.com, as well as on the league’s Twitter, Instagram Stories, and on the USL App.
Republic FC continues the 2023 USL Championship season on the road this coming Wednesday. On May 17, the Indomitable Club travels south to Irvine to face Orange County SC for the first time this season. Kickoff from Championship Soccer Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m., 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+. Republic FC returns home next Saturday for a derby match at Heart Health Park with Oakland Roots SC on May 20.
