Following a bye week and after earning three points on the road with their 2-1 victory over Reno 1868 FC, Sacramento Republic FC return to Papa Murphy’s Park looking to lock up a perfect record against Seattle Sounders FC 2. Ahead of their final regular-season clash, get to know Sounders 2.
2018 SEASON SO FAR
Since they last met, Seattle has struggled mightily—going 3-11-4—and are currently winless in their last five matches. S2 has struggled to pull themselves out of the cellar as of late and have accumulated a -24 goal differential, second-worst in the Western Conference. Six of S2’s losses came consecutively between June 16 and July 20. A 4-1 loss to Las Vegas Lights FC kicked off Seattle’s streak before losing to Los Dos, Swope Park Rangers, and current league-leaders Real Monarchs SLC and Phoenix Rising FC. After their abysmal streak, S2 finally broke through against Las Vegas on July 26, but not without some help. In a chippy game that featured five yellow cards and two ejections, Seattle found themselves facing a 9-man squad for the final 45 minutes. The player imbalance resulted in a pair of second-half goals for Seattle, sealing the 3-0 win at Cheney Stadium. Two games later, Sounders 2 snagged three points against OKC Energy FC but have been unable to collect a win since.
KEY PLAYERS
Since the last time they met, David Estrada has added seven goals to his season tally, for a total of 10 on the year which marks a career-high. The 30-year-old veteran and former MLS player has converted 34 percent of his shots and 10 of 18 on target, all of which have come inside the box. The striker has also connected at a 79.9 percent success rate on attempted passes and recorded an assist this season as well.
As for playmaking, Australian midfielder Jesse Daley has led S2 with three assists on the season. The 20-year-old has started 14 games this season and logged 1223 minutes in his 17 appearances and scored twice in 2018. Daley has also met his pass targets at a 78.7 percent clip whilst making 20 interceptions and also recording a 67.6 percent success rate for tackles.
HOME VS AWAY RECORD
Seattle Sounders FC 2 have yet to secure a winning record either on the road or at home this season, but have found more success at Cheney Stadium through the 2018 thus far. With a 5-6-3 record at home, S2 has earned 18 points in Tacoma. However, Seattle’s road record has been the opposite (0-10-2), losing all but two of their 12 matches away from home.
LAST TIME THEY MET
With a 2-1 victory back on May 6, the Indomitable Club propelled themselves into the top spot in the Western Conference against S2 at Cheney Stadium. Following a corner kick from Hayden Partain, Mitchell Taintor ended up with the ball in the box and buried a left-footed shot for his first USL goal of the season, putting Sacramento up 1-0 before the half. Seattle equalized in the 61st minute but eventually gave away points with a crushing own goal in the final eight minutes. Villyan Bijev received a loping ball in the box, taking a first touch to beat his defender before laying off a left-footed shot. The ball, which ricocheted off the near post hit S2 keeper Bryan Meredith in the back as he dove for the ball, bouncing off and over the goal line.
Saturday’s MATCH
Saturday’s match between Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Papa Murphy’s Park.
Broadcast: KQCA My 58 and Estrella TV Sacramento
Livestream: ESPN+
Updates will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or using #SEAvSAC.
Following a bye week and after earning three points on the road with their 2-1 victory over Reno 1868 FC, Sacramento Republic FC return to Papa Murphy’s Park looking to lock up a perfect record against Seattle Sounders FC 2. Ahead of their final regular-season clash, get to know Sounders 2.
2018 SEASON SO FAR
Since they last met, Seattle has struggled mightily—going 3-11-4—and are currently winless in their last five matches. S2 has struggled to pull themselves out of the cellar as of late and have accumulated a -24 goal differential, second-worst in the Western Conference. Six of S2’s losses came consecutively between June 16 and July 20. A 4-1 loss to Las Vegas Lights FC kicked off Seattle’s streak before losing to Los Dos, Swope Park Rangers, and current league-leaders Real Monarchs SLC and Phoenix Rising FC. After their abysmal streak, S2 finally broke through against Las Vegas on July 26, but not without some help. In a chippy game that featured five yellow cards and two ejections, Seattle found themselves facing a 9-man squad for the final 45 minutes. The player imbalance resulted in a pair of second-half goals for Seattle, sealing the 3-0 win at Cheney Stadium. Two games later, Sounders 2 snagged three points against OKC Energy FC but have been unable to collect a win since.
KEY PLAYERS
Since the last time they met, David Estrada has added seven goals to his season tally, for a total of 10 on the year which marks a career-high. The 30-year-old veteran and former MLS player has converted 34 percent of his shots and 10 of 18 on target, all of which have come inside the box. The striker has also connected at a 79.9 percent success rate on attempted passes and recorded an assist this season as well.
As for playmaking, Australian midfielder Jesse Daley has led S2 with three assists on the season. The 20-year-old has started 14 games this season and logged 1223 minutes in his 17 appearances and scored twice in 2018. Daley has also met his pass targets at a 78.7 percent clip whilst making 20 interceptions and also recording a 67.6 percent success rate for tackles.
HOME VS AWAY RECORD
Seattle Sounders FC 2 have yet to secure a winning record either on the road or at home this season, but have found more success at Cheney Stadium through the 2018 thus far. With a 5-6-3 record at home, S2 has earned 18 points in Tacoma. However, Seattle’s road record has been the opposite (0-10-2), losing all but two of their 12 matches away from home.
LAST TIME THEY MET
With a 2-1 victory back on May 6, the Indomitable Club propelled themselves into the top spot in the Western Conference against S2 at Cheney Stadium. Following a corner kick from Hayden Partain, Mitchell Taintor ended up with the ball in the box and buried a left-footed shot for his first USL goal of the season, putting Sacramento up 1-0 before the half. Seattle equalized in the 61st minute but eventually gave away points with a crushing own goal in the final eight minutes. Villyan Bijev received a loping ball in the box, taking a first touch to beat his defender before laying off a left-footed shot. The ball, which ricocheted off the near post hit S2 keeper Bryan Meredith in the back as he dove for the ball, bouncing off and over the goal line.
Saturday’s MATCH
Saturday’s match between Republic FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Papa Murphy’s Park.
Broadcast: KQCA My 58 and Estrella TV Sacramento
Livestream: ESPN+
Updates will be provided via Twitter at @SacRepublicFC or using #SEAvSAC.
