St. Petersburg, Florida – Republic FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies split the points Saturday on a stormy night in Florida, playing to a 1-1 draw at Al Lang Stadium. A comeback effort extended the Indomitable Club’s unbeaten streak after falling behind early. With another point from the match, Sacramento sits atop the league with the best record holding 28 points on with 8 wins, one loss, and four draws.
Nick Ross netted the Quails only score, finding net in the 45th minute after Tampa went ahead 12 minutes earlier. A tightly played second half ended scoreless to send each side home with a point in a clash between two of the league’s best. The draw brought Tampa Bay’s five match winning streak to an end.
The hosts opened the scoring just after the half hour mark. After a long ball was played forward by Tampa’s goalkeeper, JJ Williams put a cross from the right just past the outstretched arm of Danny Vitiello reaching to make a stop.
Sacramento got to work after falling behind, coming up with a pair of dangerous chances. Sebastian Herrera came close to an equalizer when he turned around a tough-angled shot that went just high, and Aldair Sanchez nearly headed through his first pro goal. The club found an equalizer just as the 45th minute began, when Russell Cicerone fed Nick Ross in transition for the Scotsman’s first league goal since 2021, and second on the season across all competitions.
The two sides traded chances after the break. Tampa came close to pulling ahead at the hour mark when Freddy Kleeman sent a blind shot at goal but missed the target. Moments later, Jack Gurr went for it all from a set piece, but barely missed as his curler destined for the top corner was parried away. The two sides finished the contest with just five combined shots on target.
Tampa Bay finished down two men. JJ Williams was shown a second caution for cutting down Jared Timmer while looking for a go-ahead score with less than ten minutes remaining. Connor Antley was shown red in second half stoppage time.
Republic FC closes out its three-match road trip this coming Friday, when the club travels south to face San Diego Loyal SC at Torero Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. from Al Lang Stadium, 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 – 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies
USL Championship
Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Florida
June 3, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Nick Ross (Russell Cicerone) 45’ TBR – JJ Williams (Sebastian Dalgaard) 33’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Jack Gurr (caution) 67’, TBR – Jerome Williams (caution) 55’, Forest Lasso (caution) 62’, Aaron Guillen (caution) 66’, Freddy Kleeman (caution) 69’, JJ Williams (second caution and ejection) 83’, Connor Antley (second caution and ejection) 90+3’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Shane Wiedt (Lee Desmond 40’), Conor Donovan (C), Jared Timmer, Aldair Sanchez, Jack Gurr, Nick Ross, Arnold Lopez (Luther Archimède 89’), Luis Felipe, Sebastian Herrera, Russell Cicerone (Damiá Viader 79’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Panzani Ferrety Sousa, Zeiko Lewis, Rafael Jauregui
Stats – Shots: 8, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 2, Fouls: 9, Corner Kicks: 4, Offsides: 4
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Connor Sparrow, Aaron Guillen (C), Forrest Lasso, Freddy Kleeman, Conner Antley, Jordan Doherty, Laurence Wyke, Ryan Spaulding, Charlie Dennis, Sebastian Dalgaard (Cal Jennings 67’), Jerome Williams
Unused Substitutes: Phil Breno, Jake Areman, Felix Schröter, Tate Johnson, Ariel Martinez, Lucky Mkosana
Stats – Shots: 11, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 1, Fouls: 20, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 1
