Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC secured its third straight unbeaten result on Wednesday night, playing to a scoreless draw with New Mexico United. Sacramento widens its advantage at the top of the Western Conference table while recording its 12th clean sheet of the season – tied for the league lead.
The two sides played a tight contest through the halftime break, splitting the possession balance and combining for just two shots on target in the first 45 minutes. A strong performance from Sacramento’s backline held their foes to just three shots on target for the match.
Sacramento had its best chance ten minutes in, when a quick combination put the ball at the feet of Cristian Parano crashing the net. The Argentine took a touch after receiving the pass, but was taken down by an opposing defender. New Mexico nearly opened the scoring in the 35th, but Armando Moreno’s shot went wide of the left post after the visitors advanced up the pitch on the break.
The match began to open up in the second half. Sacramento nearly opened the scoring in the 46th minute, when a cross from Keko on the left flank found Parano in space for a header. The club was active from the flanks, serving 26 crosses for the contest, leading to 8 shots from inside their opponent’s penalty area.
Stellar goalkeeping by Danny Vitiello denied two opportunities from the visitors later in the half – a pair of outstretched dives stopped chances in the 54th and 75th, keeping the clean sheet intact. The shutout marked Vitiello’s 9th of the season – and the third straight for the Indomitable Club.
Republic FC plays the last of three games in eight days this Saturday, when the club travels to the Rockies to face off with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. PT from Weidner Field, and the match will be broadcast live on FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, Antenna TV 40.2, and streaming on ESPN+. The Indomitable Club will return to Heart Health Park on Sunday, October 1, for Youth Soccer Day as the squad takes on Las Vegas Lights FC.
Sacramento Republic FC 0 – 0 New Mexico United
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
September 20, 2023
Scoring Summary: SAC – None NM – None
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Keko Gontán (caution) 37’, Conor Donovan (caution) 70’, Mark Briggs (caution) 86’, Luis Felipe (caution) 90+1’ NM – Zico Bailey (caution) 34’, Nicky Hernandez (caution) 49’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Shane Wiedt, Conor Donovan, Lee Desmond (C), Jack Gurr, Damia Viader, Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Keko Gontan (Rodrigo Lopez 64’), Cristian Parano (Zeiko Lewis 77’), Sebastian Herrera (Russell Cicerone 64’)
Unused substitutes: Carlos Saldaña, Jared Timmer, Aldair Sanchez, Rafael Jauregui
Stats – Shots: 12, Shots on Goal: 2, Saves: 3, Fouls: 17, Corner Kicks: 6, Offsides: 4
New Mexico United: Andrew Thomas, Austin Yearwood, Kalen Ryden, Will Seymore, Sam Hamilton (C), Sergio Rivas, Nicky Hernandez, Zico Bailey, Arturo Astorga, Amando Moreno (Jacobo Reyes 83’), Shanyder Borgelin (Greg Hurst 70’)
Unused Substitutes: Ford Parker, Santi Moar, Kyle Colonna, Daniel Bruce
Stats – Shots: 11, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 2, Fouls: 15, Corner Kicks: 7, Offsides: 1
