Sacramento, Calif. – Today, USL Championship announced that Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone and defender Lee Desmond have been named to the Week 5 Team of the Week for their performances in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The duo led the Indomitable Club to its fifth straight unbeaten result and second victory on the road, holding on to the top spot in the Western Conference.
Cicerone got his squad started early, earning his first assist on the campaign in the 5th minute. After receiving the ball from Jack Gurr on the right flank, Cicerone carried it into the box before finding Trevor Amann at the top of the 18-yard box to send the ball into the back of the net. Cicerone later netted a goal of his own in the 26th minute, doubling the lead as he charged through five defenders to secure his first score of the season and a nomination for USL Championship Goal of the Week. He ended the match leading all players with three shots and three on target.
Desmond played a key part in Cicerone’s goal, driving the ball forward from Republic FC’s defensive half. He split three Switchbacks defenders to slot the ball to Nick Ross, who would eventually set up Cicerone for the score. The Irishman also played a critical role on the defensive end, leading all players with five clearances and three tackles won as the club earned a second consecutive clean sheet. Through Republic FC’s first five matches, he is among the club’s stat leaders with 14 clearances and 12 interceptions and is one of just four players to play every minute of the season.
These are the first selections for both Cicerone and Desmond to the league’s top squad this season, and the club’s fourth and fifth Team of the Week honors in 2024. It is the 20th career selection for Cicerone, who earned five selections in his first season with Republic FC in 2023, alongside Player of the Month honors in May and a nomination for USL Championship Player of the Year. Team Captain Desmond gets his second selection since joining the club in 2022.
The Indomitable Club is back in Sacramento to defend home turf this Saturday, hosting Western Conference newcomer FC Tulsa at Heart Health Park. Since the start of the 2023 season, no club has been stronger at home than Republic FC, claiming 14 USL wins with a goal differential of +25 and 11 clean sheets. Kickoff for Saturday’s match is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and the tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets. The match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com, through the FOX40 News mobile app, and on ESPN+.
