For the second straight week, Republic FC takes on a NorCal rival as Oakland Roots SC visits Heart Health Park. The series sees its 11th all-time contest this weekend in the two squads’ first meeting of 2024.
At a Glance: #SACvOAK
- Saturday, June 15 – 8:00 PM PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Watch: FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and FOX40 app, ESPN+
- Tickets: SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets
- Brewfest: The 21+ event opens at 5:30 p.m., with last pour at 8:00 p.m.
- Tickets available at SacRepublicFC.com/Brewfest. Match ticket required.
- Post-match fireworks after the final whistle courtesy of Mimosa House
Republic FC – The Latest
Republic FC got back in the win column on Saturday night in Seaside with a 2-0 victory over Monterey Bay F.C. After a scoreless first half, the club tallied two scores – one in the 54th minute off the boot of Kieran Phillips and a second by substitute Cristian Parano in the 62nd. Danny Vitiello came up big with 12 minutes remaining, denying a penalty by Tristan Traeger to preserve the clean sheet – his league-leading sixth of the season.
Vitiello and Phillips each earned Team of the Week honors for their performance, Vitiello’s first selection this season and Phillips’ second. For the match, Vitiello tallied four saves, including his penalty stop, which was the sixth of his pro career. Phillips’ score marked his fifth goal in seven games since joining Republic FC in April, moving him to second on the squad behind Trevor Amann. New acquisition Justin Portillo fit right in with his new club, completing 92% of his passes and serving five crosses for the match across 90 minutes.
Know Your Opponent
Oakland enters the match having won three of its past four games. In Week 14, the club bested the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 on home turf. After a quiet first half on the attacking end, the club began immediately knocking on the door after the break before being rewarded for their pressure in the 72nd minute when Jeciel Cedeño got on the end of service from the right. The club nearly put in a second late in stoppage time, but a penalty attempt went off the woodwork.
Roots SC welcomed a new face against the Floridian side, as forward Dom Dywer made his club debut. Signed in early May, the former Atlanta United, Sporting KC, and Orlando City striker had yet to appear for his new club. He joins an attacking core led by the club’s leading scorer Johnny Rodriguez (3 goals) and offseason acquisition Michnaider Chéry, as well as Guillermo Diaz, who ranks in the top 10 league-wide in chances created with 23.
Match Notes
Sacramento has won four straight against Oakland across all competitions, with three clean sheets in that span. Since the start of 2022, the Indomitable Club has tallied six consecutive unbeaten results against the Bay Area side with four wins and two draws.
Sacramento has never lost to Oakland at Heart Health Park, tallying three wins and three draws while outscoring the Roots 11-7.
Forward Sebastian Herrera scored in each of last season’s league matchups with Oakland. The Colombian recorded a second-half tally in a 3-1 win on May 20, and the early game-winner from the penalty spot on September 2.
