Republic FC’s Saturday victory earned the club sole possession of the top spot in the Western Conference Standings. A pair of early scores – including the fastest in club history by Trevor Amann just 16 seconds in – set the tone as the squad played a strong game the rest of the way. Sacramento recorded its third clean sheet in four weeks with the result.
Solid All-Around
Sacramento was the better club all evening long, dominating on the stat sheet throughout the match just as it did on the pitch. The club converted on two of its three shots on target, was successful in 30 of 48 one-on-one duels, and kept Orange County to just one shot on target and a scant 14 touches in the penalty area to secure the clean sheet. Additional chances throughout the game pinned the hosts back.
“I’m really proud of the guys and the performance they put in. I thought we were better in every single phase of the game. We came to play tonight, and we put on a performance that I think everyone associated with our club should be proud of.”
Momentum Building
Saturday’s win secured Republic FC its first series win of the 2024 campaign, claiming four points against Orange County. The club has now earned wins in three of its past four games – is one of four teams remaining unbeaten in the league and the only squad without a defeat on its record in the West through seven games. The club’s four clean sheets and four goals allowed each rank as the best of any team – proving its standing as the best defensive team league-wide.
“As a team, we want to show the league and Western Conference especially that we’re the best team,” said Trevor Amann. “I feel like we really are, and I think it’s huge that we got the win, and we got the three points and sole possession of first place.”
Amann Stays Hot
A month and a half into his first season in USL Championship, Amann has stayed hot on the attacking end. After finding the net 16 seconds in, Mr. Saturday – the nickname he’s garnered from his teammates in the season’s early goings – continued to show he can score in any way. He nearly found a second goal in the 57th minute with a great run into space, getting in behind before threatening with his feet. His five scores in 2024 have come in all kinds of situations – on the break after getting in behind, finishing crosses from the wings, or by creating opportunity with the ball at his feet.
“We want to start fast,” Amann said of his score that came just 16 seconds into the match. “I saw RoRo get to the corner and being a striker the natural instinct is to get in the box. RoRo played an amazing ball and I was able to get my head on it and put it in the back of the net.”
