Sacramento, Calif. – On Tuesday, the USL Championship announced that Republic FC midfielder Luis Felipe and defender Jack Gurr have been named to the Team of the Week, and defender Damia Viader has been named to Team of the Week Bench following the club’s 3-1 win over San Antonio FC on June 24. The trio were involved in each of Sacramento’s three goals in the win, which put Sacramento back on top of the league standings with 32 points.
Gurr earns his fourth selection to the league’s top squad this season after netting his fourth goal of the season and earning a penalty for the Indomitable club. Two minutes into the match, the defender was cut down by an opposing player while driving into the penalty area; the ensuing attempt from the spot was converted by Sebastian Herrera. Later in the half Gurr scored his fourth goal of 2023, volleying in a well-placed cross from the left. He finished the match with two shots and two chances created while winning 7 of 9 defensive duels.
Luis Felipe provided the game-sealing score in the 89th minute of the match. With San Antonio down to ten men after a hard foul in the attacking half resulted in a red card, the Brazilian stood over the ball for the free kick and placed a perfect curler into the top corner. The score marked his fifth of the season, matching his career high for goals in a season set in 2017 while a member of Reno 1868 FC. The goal is nominated for USL Championship Goal of the Week – voting is open now at USLChampionship.com, as well as on the league’s Twitter and Instagram Stories. Defensively, the midfielder, won 4 of 6 tackles and posted a match-high 12 recoveries.
Viader assisted Gurr’s 38th minute strike – his first assist of the season – serving to the Englishman after driving down the left flank. Sacramento’s left back also led all players with ten entries into the final third and created two scoring chances. He was excellent on the defensive end, finishing the contest with nine recoveries and successful in eight of 14 one-on-one duels.
The selections are Gurr’s fourth, Luis Felipe’s third, and Viader’s first of the season to the league’s top squad. Gurr last earned the honor in Week 12 following the club’s victory at Hartford Athletic, while Luis Felipe was last named to Team of the Week Bench in Week 7. Viader’s selection is his first since September 2022, when he scored in a 4-0 win over Orange County SC at Heart Health Park.
Republic FC wraps up its three-game home stand this Saturday on Salute to Service Night at Heart Health Park, presented by FOX40. Throughout the match, the club will honor local veteran groups, recognize an active “captain” of the match from Beale Air Force Base, and give back to military families through the Salute to Service merchandise collection. Veterans and active service-members can claim a special 25% discount on match tickets. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m., and the match will be broadcast live on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
