Ninety-five teams have been whittled down to 16, with Republic FC and its counterparts chasing the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Round of 16 survive and advance matchups are sure to produce some of the most high-drama games this year, with Sacramento vs. San Jose as one to circle.
At a Glance: #SACvSJ
- Tuesday, May 21 – 7:00 PM PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Watch: USOpenCup.com, USLSoccer.com
- Tickets: SacRepublicFC.com/tickets
- Drink Special: $2 Modelo (while supplies last)
Republic FC – The Latest
3,000 miles from home and playing its third match in eight days, Sacramento secured a point in come-from-behind fashion against Rhode Island FC on May 11. After going down for the first time this season, Sacramento battled back and equalized once before the break, and again at the tail end of the match to keep its unbeaten run to start the season going. Substitute Jonathan Ricketts netted the equalizer in the 93rd minute – his second score off the bench this season. The draw keeps Republic FC as one of two unbeaten teams remaining in USL Championship and the last undefeated squad in the Western Conference.
Know Your Opponent
Tuesday’s Cup contest continues a very busy stretch for San Jose, marking the club’s sixth game in 18 days across all competitions. In the past week, they defeated Colorado in come-from-behind fashion and fell to Portland 4-2 after a late comeback from the Oregon side. Saturday, they’ll face off with Orlando at home, before visiting Sacramento Tuesday.
Luchi Gonzalez’s squad has scored 12 goals in its past five league games, while recording two wins, a draw, and two losses. The club has consistently found the net throughout the campaign, tallying 22 scores on the season, third in the MLS Western Conference in 2024. Forward Amahl Pellegrino leads the club with four goals, while Argentinian Cristian Espinoza ranks second in MLS with eight assists on the year. New designated player Hernan Lopez has made an instant impact since signing on April 25, scoring twice in three appearances.
Match Notes
Tuesday marks the fifth all-time meeting between the two clubs in the U.S. Open Cup. The last came in the same round of the 2022 tournament – a 2-0 win for Sacramento and the club’s first of three cupsets on the way to the final. San Jose claimed the first three meetings between the clubs in 2014, 2015, and 2019.
Midfielder Luis Felipe featured for San Jose prior to joining Sacramento. He scored the eventual winner for his club in the two sides 2022 contest, heading through a Rodrigo Lopez corner kick in the 27th minute.
Republic FC and San Jose faced off in a preseason exhibition match back in February, playing to a 1-1 draw. Russell Cicerone scored the Indomitable Club’s lone goal off a Jack Gurr corner kick.
