Republic FC is moving on to the Western Conference Semifinals after coming out on top of a physical battle with FC Tulsa on Saturday night. The Indomitable Club built its pressure in the second half to set up one decisive play from the foot of Sacramento native Blake Willey.
Republic FC got its first chance of the night in the 56th minute. The club built out of the back as Mayele Malango took control of a bad Tulsa cross. Malango moved the ball forward for Pep Casas, who then found Mark-Anthony Kaye. Kaye dribbled the ball forward and fired off a low shot that forced Tulsa goalkeeper Dane Jacomen into his first save of the night.
Kaye nearly put in the opener in epic fashion minutes later. A free kick from Jack Gurr was headed into the mix by Lee Desmond, and Kaye rose up for a bicycle kick that required an all-out diving goalkeeper save to keep out.
Republic FC’s pressure continued to build and in the 72nd minute the club came as close as ever. A big switch from Pep Casas was controlled by Mayele Malango who took on his defender before firing off a cross from the endline. Mark-Anthony Kaye tapped the ball back to Casas for a one-touch shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. It looked to be going on target, but with a slight curl to the shot, the ball hit the crossbar.
The Indomitable Club stayed on the hunt and in the 88th minute, homegrown midfielder Blake Willey had his moment. Pep Casas curled in a cross that was headed away by the Tulsa defender, but only as far as Willey at the top of the box. The 19-year-old kept his composure as the ball bounced towards him and connected on a one-touch shot that hit the back of the net.
Sacramento hunkered down defensively after the go ahead goal and held strong to come away with the clean sheet – the fifth postseason shutout of goalkeeper Danny Vitiello’s career.
With the 2nd seed, the Indomitable Club keeps home field advantage for the next round. Republic FC will host 3rd seed El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available now.
Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 FC Tulsa
USL Championship
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, Calif.
November 1, 2026
Scoring Summary: SAC – Blake Willey 88’; TUL – none
Misconduct Summary: SAC – Alfredo Midence (caution) 43’, Danny Crisostomo (caution) 61’, Mark-Anthony Kaye (caution) 82’; TUL – Will Wilson (caution) 45+2’
Sacramento Republic FC: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Lee Desmond (C), Jared Timmer, Jack Gurr, Mark-Anthony Kaye (Forster Ajago 84’), Pep Casas, Mayele Malango, Danny Crisostomo, Alfredo Midence (Blake Willey 45’), Cal Jennings (Kyle Edwards 68’)
Unused substitutes: Ryan Spaulding, Freddy Kleemann, Aaron Essel, Tim Leibold, Jacob Randolph, Reid Paskey
Stats: Shots: 11, Shots on Goal: 3, Saves: 1, Fouls: 17, Corner Kicks: 3, Offsides: 2
FC Tulsa: Dane Jacomen, Lamar Batista, Abdoulaye Cissoko (C), Joel Sangwa, Lucas Stauffer, Jeorgio Kocevksi, Boubacar Diallo, Harvey St Clair (Owen Damm 76’), Jamie Webber, Will Wilson, Remi Cabral (Logan Dorsey 45’) (Stefan Lukic 76’)
Unused substitutes: Alex Tambakis, Delentz Pierre, Marcos Cerato, Giordano Colli
Stats: Shots: 7, Shots on Goal: 1, Saves: 2, Fouls: 17, Corner Kicks: 5, Offsides: 1
