Las Vegas, Nevada – Republic FC close out the week with another 3 points by beating Las Vegas Lights FC 2-1 on the road. The result moves Sacramento to 41 points to lead the Western Conference and earns the club its eleventh win on the season.
Sacramento tallied a score on both sides of the break, keeping the league’s leading scoring differential and claiming its third road victory of the 2023 season. Keko, Russell Cicerone, and Zeiko Lewis once again found the score sheet with goal contributions, after Wednesday’s 4-0 win at home.
The Quails opened the scoring in spectacular fashion at the half hour mark. Keko tallied his third assist in four matches dating to July 15 when right-footed service was sent into the back of the net by a diving effort from Russell Cicerone. It is the forward’s 12th goal on the season – his third consecutive season with double digits goals.
Las Vegas equalized moments before the break, after a penalty was awarded. Las Vegas would convert and go into halftime level with Sacramento.
Coming out of the locker room, Sacramento got on the front foot and challenged Vegas. The Indomitable Club pulled back ahead ten minutes after the break on the counter. Lewis found the net with a left-footed shot in the 55th minute as the Quails pushed up the left flank – his second straight match with a goal and fourth on the season across all competitions – off an assist from Cicerone.
A pair of Quails moved past impressive career milestones in the victory. Jared Timmer marked his 100th career pro appearance, and Keko moved past 20,000 minutes for his storied career across all competitions.
Republic FC travels to Monterey Bay F.C. on Saturday, August 5 – the second of four consecutive road matches. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. in Seaside and fans can watch the game in English and Spanish on FOX40.com, the FOX40 News Mobile App, Antenna TV 40.2, and ESPN+. Republic FC will next play in front of its home fans on August 26, when the club hosts its 10th Season Celebration Match at Hughes Stadium. For more information or to purchase tickets starting at just $10, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Hughes.
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 1 Las Vegas Lights FC
USL Championship
Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nevada
July 29, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – Russell Cicerone (Keko Gontán) 31’, Zeiko Lewis (Russell Cicerone) 55’ LV – Andrew Carleton (penalty) 45+1’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Matt LaGrassa (caution) 23’, Jared Timmer (caution) 45’, Zeiko Lewis (caution) 76’, Lee Desmond (caution) 81’ LV – Jacob Bushue (caution) 18’, Justin Ingram (caution) 24’, Andrew Carleton (caution) 38’, Andres Jimenez (caution) 83’, Tabor Preston (caution) 85’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Conor Donovan, Lee Desmond (C), Jared Timmer, Shane Wiedt, Jack Gurr, Arnold Lopez, Matt LaGrassa (Johnny Fenwick 90+2’), Zeiko Lewis (Ezekiel Padilla 88’), Keko Gontán (Rafael Jauregui 88’), Russell Cicerone (Luther Archimède 70’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Mario Penagos, Blake Willey
Stats – Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 1, Fouls: 11, Corner Kicks: 2, Offsides: 2
Las Vegas Lights FC: Leo Díaz, Alejandro Mitrano (Tyler Bagley 79’), Timothie Zali, Zach Carroll (C), Lucas Stauffer, Andres Jimenez, Justin Ingram, Jacob Bushue, Andrew Carleton (Eric Oteng 63’), Josh Dolling, Tabort Preston
Unused Substitutes: Andre Zuluaga, Marcelo Lage, Issa Rayyan, Azriel Gonzalez, Daniel Rios
Stats – Shots: 14, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 0, Fouls: 14, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 1
