Republic FC has claimed the Western Conference’s #2 seed with a resilient come-from-behind win over NorCal rival Oakland Roots on Saturday night. Down a goal at halftime, the Indomitable Club battled back to deliver two late goals to claim all three points and secure its 13th consecutive undefeated result heading into the postseason.
Sacramento got on the board early as Alfredo Midence found the back of the net for his first time in Old Glory Red. Midence began the play from the corner with a short pass to Memo Rodriguez, who delivered a one-touch pass back to Midence, who beat his defender with a dribble before firing off a low, curling shot that beat Oakland goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh on the back post.
Midence nearly got a brace just minutes later as Mayele Malango beat his defender on the left flank and put a cross into the box. Jack Gurr provided the dummy run, giving Midence the opportunity to run onto the ball for a dangerous shot that forced Kendall McIntosh to make a save.
Danny Vitiello was called into action in the 23rd minute. A cross from Wolfgang Prentice was played into a dangerous area that forced Vitiello to come off his line to punch the ball away. The rebound went out to a Roots player for a close-range shot, but this time it was Jared Timmer who got the block to keep Oakland off the board.
Oakland would take the lead with a pair of goals from Danny Trejo and Peter Wilson as time ticked down in the first half.
The Indomitable Club kept at it on the other side of the break and in the 81st minute found the equalizer with its second set piece goal of the match. After Forster Ajago was brought down near the sideline, Memo Rodriguez delivered a perfectly-placed ball to the front post where Lee Desmond rose above the defense to head the ball to the back of the net. For Memo, it was his ninth goal contribution in the last six matches.
Not to be content with the draw, Republic FC continue to apply pressure and took the lead in the 90th minute. An Oakland corner kick was headed away and controlled by Blake Willey, who found Kyle Edwards on the front foot. Edwards dribbled the ball into the box and cut it back to send a left-footed shot to the far post for his 10th goal of the season.
The Roots would get one final chance in the 97th minute as Keegan Tingey took a shot form inside the box, but Danny Vitiello was there to make the stop and secure the win.
Following a dramatic final night of regular season play, Republic FC enters the playoffs as the Western Conference’s #2 seed and will host 7th seed FC Tulsa on Sunday, November 1. Tickets to the 6:00 p.m. match are available now at SacRepublicFC.com.
Stats of the Match
- For the 2nd consecutive year, Republic FC has claimed the Hella Cup – the supporter-created in-season competition between Republic FC, Oakland Roots, and Monterey Bay
- Memo Rodriguez – 2 assists, has added 9 goal contributions in the last 6 matches
- Kyle Edwards – 1 goal (10th of the season), is the 5th player to score 10+ goals in his first season with SRFC
- Alfredo Midence – 1 goal (his first with SRFC)
- Lee Desmond – 1 goal, 8 clearances, 6 duels won
- Blake Willey – 1 assist (1st of the season)
Sacramento Republic FC 3 – 2 Oakland Roots SC
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, Calif.
October 24, 2026
Scoring Summary: SAC – Alfredo Midence (Memo Rodriguez) 2’, Lee Desmond (Memo Rodriguez) 81’, Kyle Edwards (Blake Willey) 90’; OAK – Danny Trejo (Mark Fisher) 45’, Peter Wilson (Jesus de Vicente) 45+5’
Misconduct Summary: SAC – none; OAK – Bobosi Byaruhanga (caution) 71’, Michael Edwards (caution) 90+8’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond (C), Jared Timmer, Michel Benitez (Ryan Spaulding 65’), Jack Gurr, Danny Crisostomo, Pep Casas (Mark-Anthony Kaye 65’), Memo Rodriguez, Mayele Malango (Forster Ajago 79’), Alfredo Midence (Blake Willey 65’), Cal Jennings (Kyle Edwards 72’)
Unused substitutes: Jacob Randolph, Aaron Essel, Tim Leibold,
Stats: Shots: 18, Shots on Goal: 8, Saves: 2, Fouls: 9, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 1
Oakland Roots SC: Kendall McIntosh, Jesus de Vicente (Keegan Tingey 72’), David Garcia, Michael Edwards, Mark Fisher, Tyler Gibson (Bertin Jacquesson 58’), Tommy McCabe, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Peter Wilson, Danny Trejo (Bruno Lapa 58’), Wolfgang Prentice
Unused substitutes: Neveal Hackshaw, Tucker Lepley, Julian Bravo, Julian Escobar
Stats: Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 5, Saves: 5, Fouls: 12, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 1
