U.S. Open Cup

More scenes from Wednesday’s historic U.S. Open Cup Semifinal match at Heart Health Park.

Sacramento, Calif.– Sacramento’s soccer community once again standouts in preparation for an historic match. In a matter of hours, all of the remaining tickets for Republic FC’s semifinal U.S. Open Cup match have been purchased, resulting in a sellout. 

In case any additional tickets are made available to the club, Republic FC has opened a waitlist – SacRepublicFC.com/USOC – for fans still interested in obtaining tickets for the match. Match preparations continue in advance of one of Sacramento’s most historic sports events. Fans who sign up for the waitlist will have priority to select seats if they become available, and will be notified if additional standing room only tickets are released. 

Tickets for Saturday’s first State Fair match since 2019 are available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets. The club will host Birmingham Legion at Heart Health Park for the first time in team history. All match ticket holders can enter the State Fair for free. Due to changes in entry gates and parking, fans are encouraged to arrive early and explore the State Fair. 

Advancing in the U.S. Open Cup has pitted Republic FC against teams they seldom face off with. The semifinal is no different, as the club’s July 27 match marks the first ever with Sporting Kansas City – a legacy MLS side that’s been one of the best all-time in the Cup, winning four titles, and is led by one of the most storied men in American soccer. Ahead of the huge match, get familiar with Sporting Kansas City, and everything that Sacramento is in for when they make their way to the West Coast.

What to Know

Sporting enters the contest with eyes on becoming just the third team ever to win five Open Cups – a feat accomplished last by 1981 winner Maccabee Los Angeles – and the most successful MLS club ever in the competition. The Midwest club has won the tournament four times tying them with Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders FC for the most among MLS squads. They previously won the trophy in 2004, 2012, 2015, and most recently in 2017. On the sidelines, the club is led by one of the most storied American footballers ever in

Peter Vermes. Vermes is a USMNT veteran with over 60 caps to his name, and legacy member of the Major League Soccer fraternity, playing in the league’s debut season and since coaching over 500 matches. At the start of the season, Kansas City lost two of its Designated Players to season-ending injuries – forward Alan Pulido and midfielder Gadi Kinda. The club has seen a 180-degree flip from their offensive form in 2021 as a result, netting only 18 scores in their first 20 matches. While the club’s gone through periods of struggle, they’ve also proven capable of going on fearsome tears unmatchable by any opponent, and keeping their composure in tight contests. All of their victories in league play this season have been by one score, and two of their three cup victories this year have come following a first-half deficit.

Their Strengths

Sporting has been tough to break down on defense this season. While they’ve conceded frequently this year, bloating their goals allowed tally is a single bad afternoon against Portland back in May. Subtracting that match, they are right in the middle of the pack defensively, and as of July 13 have actually made the second-fewest mistakes leading to scores of any MLS side all season long. Their backline is anchored by multiple players with overseas experience in Europe’s top competitions. Up top, the club does possess a few players capable of challenging any defensive group. Winger and Captain Johnny Russell leads the club in scores this season, and off the bench, Cameron Duke and former San Antonio FC loanee Kortne Ford offer threats that any opponent needs to account for all over the pitch. Against Montreal on July 9, SKC was great in transition as well as on the wings – similar to how Oakland Roots challenged Sacramento. The club will likely try to keep that up to better their chances of success.

What to Watch For

Big names occupy a few spots on their roster. In addition to Russell, Spanish defender Andreu Fontàs has been among the league’s best. Former designated player and U.S. National Team stalwart Graham Zusi waits in the wings off the bench – with years of experience in high-pressure situations at the highest levels of the game. Dominating second half performances have allowed the club to push forward in the Open Cup. In their opening contests against FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo, the club overcame two early deficits with dominating second half performances. Against Dallas, they came back from a 2-0 deficit to equalize in the final seconds of stoppage time, before netting two scores in extra time to put down their Texas foes. Against Dynamo it was much of the same, without an extra 30 minutes being necessary, converting a penalty for the winning score at the 73 minute mark.

Sacramento, Calif. – On Wednesday, July 13, Republic FC will open sales to the general public of any remaining ticket inventory for the club’s highly-anticipated U.S. Open Cup semifinal match on July 27. The club’s Indomitable Members have been able to exercise their member benefits and can claim their seats before Wednesday through the online account manager portal. At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, all remaining tickets will be available for purchase, and all fans can visit SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets to select a seat for all upcoming matches including the U.S. Open Cup semifinal on July 27.

The Indomitable Club launched a limited ticket sale on June 24, where members could select their regular seats and the general public was able to select from available inventory. In just over three hours, nearly 7,000 seats were claimed, over half of Heart Health Park’s gameday capacity. With limited seats available, the club will close the member-exclusive window and release all remaining tickets.

The U.S. Open Cup Semifinal between Republic FC and Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City marks the penultimate stage of U.S. Soccer’s oldest ongoing competition, now in its 107^th edition. In reaching the semifinal, Republic FC will be the first lower-division club to play for a spot in the final since USL side FC Cincinnati in 2017. The contest will take place with the iconic backdrop of the California State Fair, and be the third time Republic FC takes on a top-flight side this season after wins over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 and LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinal. All-time, Republic FC holds a record of 15-1 at home in the U.S. Open Cup.

Republic FC’s 2022 season continues this Saturday when the Indomitable Club welcomes USL Eastern Conference foe Birmingham Legion FC to Heart Health Park for the very first time. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m., and fans attending the match are encouraged to arrive early to combat likely parking and entrance delays caused by the California State Fair. All ticketholders to the matchcan use their ticket to enter the State Fair. Tickets are still available at SacRepublicFC.com/single-match-tickets.

For the first time ever, Republic FC will play for a spot in the U.S. Open Cup final. Since the club’s cup run began in April, the moment hasn’t stood in their way, resulting in cupsets over two MLS squads with conviction, and great collective performances each time out to become the best of the west.

The club’s journey through the tournament has been as unique as ever – and as the club prepares for another huge match, take a quick look back at the five contests Sacramento won to get here.

April 7: Republic FC 6 – 0 Portland Timbers U23

Starting XI: Carlos Saldana, Ferrety Sousa, Lee Desmond (Dan Casey 79’), Conor Donovan, Duke Lacroix (Keko Gontan 59’), Matt Lagrassa, Rodrigo Lopez (Rafael Jauregui 59’), Nick Ross, Damia Viader, Zeiko Lewis, Luther Archimède (J.P. Cortez 79’)

Scoring Summary: SAC– Duke Lacroix (Ferrety Sousa) 13’, Damia Viader (Ferrety Sousa) 21’, Matt LaGrassa (Rodrigo Lopez) 26’, Rodrigo Lopez (Luther Archimede) 30’, Duke Lacroix (Zeiko Lewis)  35’, Zeiko Lewis (Rodrigo Lopez) 41’ PT23 – None

After taking a few minutes to get settled, Sacramento showed no mercy against the League 2 side. Sacramento bagged all six of their scores in the first half, with Duke Lacroix nabbing his second career brace, Rodrigo Lopez tallying two assists, and Zeiko Lewis and Damia Viader each finding net for the first time in Old Glory Red. Carlos Saldana recorded both his and the club’s first clean sheet of the season.

April 20: Republic FC 2 – 1 Central Valley Fuego FC

Starting XI: Danny Vitiello, Duke Lacroix (Damia Viader 66’) , Lee Desmond, Dan Casey, Jack Gurr, Luis Felipe, Matt LaGrassa, Rodrigo Lopez (C), Keko Gontan, Zeiko Lewis (Emil Cuello 80’), Douglas Martinez Jr. (Luther Archimede 66’)

Scoring Summary: SAC– Dan Casey (Rodrigo Lopez) 44’, Rodrigo Lopez (penalty) 90+4’ CVF – Renato Bustamante 78’

A regional derby with a new foe did not disappoint – Republic FC and Central Valley Fuego both played excellent from the opening whistle to stoppage time, when Rodrigo Lopez converted a penalty to send the hosts home with a win as rain began to fall. Former Sacramento winger Villyan Bijev assisted the equalizer for the visitors, giving them a jolt into the final moments, but, Sacramento took the win in thrilling fashion.

May 11: Republic FC 2 – 0 Phoenix Rising FC

Starting XI: Danny Vitiello, Jack Gurr, Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Duke Lacroix (Damia Viader 90+3’), Matt LaGrassa (Emil Cuello 66’), Luis Felipe, Zeiko Lewis (Luther Archimede 82’), Rodrigo Lopez (C), Douglas Martinez

Scoring Summary: SAC– Luis Felipe (Matt LaGrassa) 30’, Douglas Martinez (Emil Cuello) 88’ PHX – None

The match marked a special occasion for Sacramento, who hadn’t beaten the Arizona side in four years. Luis Felipe began a string of impressive performances, scoring the opener, while Douglas Martinez put in the dagger as time ticked down. But possibly the biggest play came just before halftime, when Danny Vitiello played hero and saved a Greg Hurst penalty to keep the visitors’ momentum from building going into the break.

May 25: Republic FC 2 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes

Starting XI: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Dan Casey, Conor Donovan, Jack Gurr, Duke Lacroix, Nick Ross (Matt LaGrassa 45’), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Damia Viader 90+2’), Zeiko Lewis (Luther Archimede 64’), Douglas Martinez (Keko Gontan 71’)

Scoring Summary: SAC– Luis Felipe (Rodrigo Lopez) 28’, Rodrigo Lopez 84’ SJ – None

Republic FC came in with one thing on their minds – history. Sacramento took control in the first half, with former Earthquake Luis Felipe netting his second score in three contests off a Rodrigo Lopez corner kick. Republic FC kept the MLS side’s chances to a minimum throughout the night, and even after some high-powered substitutes in Christian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobissie, and Cade Cowell entered the contest, San Jose still couldn’t find a score. Rodrigo Lopez put a bow on the evening in the 83^rd minute, sending the sellout crowd at Heart Health Park into an absolute frenzy and making for an epic night.

June 21: Republic FC 2 – 1 LA Galaxy

Starting XI: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Conor Donovan, Dan Casey, Damia Viader, Jack Gurr, Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (C) (Duke Lacroix 62’), Matt LaGrassa, Keko Gontan (Zeiko Lewis 13’, Luther Archimede 86’), Douglas Martinez

Scoring Summary: SAC– Rodrigo Lopez (Douglas Martinez) 4’, Luis Felipe (Lee Desmond) 70’, LA – Conor Donovan (own goal) 18’

A dream start for Republic FC set the tone in front of a rowdy crowd in Carson. Dan Casey intercepted the ball and began a run of play resulting in a 4^th minute score from Rodrigo Lopez, giving Sacramento an early lead. But Sacramento’s advantage didn’t last long – Galaxy equalized at the 17 minute mark on a tough-luck own goal.

Coming out of the break, Sacramento put their foot on the gas, and nearly broke the tie on two occasions. Galaxy countered that aggression with some highly-paid savant’s off the bench – Chicharito snuck behind Conor Donovan minutes after entering and nearly found a score, but Duke Lacroix and Dan Casey took the Mexican striker down. Luis Felipe gave Sacramento the lead for good from distance in the 70^th minute. As time ticked down and the final whistle sounded, Dignity Heath Sports Park grew quiet as home supporters realized the cupset they’d fallen victim to.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — During Thursday’s episode of Futbol Americas, U.S. Soccer announced the hosts for the semifinal matches of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as well as the hosting preference for the Final match. After defeating LA Galaxy on the road Tuesday night in the Indomitable Club’s first quarterfinal appearance, Sacramento will host Sporting Kansas City at Heart Health Park on July 27. Kickoff for the semifinal will be set following the remaining quarterfinal match on June 26 between Nashville SC and Orlando City SC. 

In reaching the semifinal round, Republic FC is the first club outside of the top division of American soccer to make the penultimate stage of the tournament since USL side FC Cincinnati in 2017. The club will share more information about the match-up and how fans can purchase tickets on Friday, June 24^th following U.S. Soccer’s match date and time announcement.

The contest will be the first-ever meeting between Sacramento and Sporting Kansas City, and the 10^th all-time meeting between Republic FC and an MLS club in the U.S. Open Cup. Against MLS teams in the competition, Republic FC is 4-5, including this year’s wins over San Jose and Los Angeles. Sacramento defeated Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC in the 2017 and 2018 tournaments.

To reach the semifinal, Sporting Kansas City defeated USL League One club Union Omaha 6-0 in the quarterfinal round. Prior to their matchup with Omaha, they bested MLS Western Conference foes FC Dallas after extra time in the Round of 32 and Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16, both on their home ground. The club has won the U.S. Open Cup on four occasions, winning the title in 2004, 2012, 2015, and most recently in 2017.

Republic FC returns to USL league play this Saturday, June 25 when they travel to faceregional foe Monterey Bay F.C. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, CA. Fans can watch the match on Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 app, and streaming on ESPN+.

Wednesday night’s historic win over San Jose Earthquakes pushes Republic FC into the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in team history. The Indomitable Club continued its winning ways at home with a massive crowd behind the Boys in Old Glory Red, growing the team’s all-time Open Cup home tally to 15-1 – remaining undefeated against three MLS opponents. 

Only 8️⃣ remain | #USOC2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dH4uIBGiVO

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 26, 2022

On June 21, the Boys in Old Glory Red will head to Carson, California to face off against LA Galaxy with a spot in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals on the line – and bragging rights for all the California teams. Republic FC remains the lone USL Championship club in the competition. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park. The club will share more information about tickets and opportunities for fans to watch the game in the coming days.  

The contest will be the second all-time between Sacramento and LA Galaxy. In 2017, after Sacramento defeated Seattle Sounders FC in the Round of 32, the two clubs faced off at Dignity Health Sports Park in Republic FC’s first-ever Round of 16 appearance. The Southern California side took a 2-0 victory over Sacramento in the contest behind two quick scores out of halftime. The match on June 21 will mark the ninth all-time fixture between Republic FC and an MLS club in the U.S. Open Cup.  

To reach the Quarterfinal round, Los Angeles defeated crosstown rival LAFC 3-1 in the Round of 16. All three of their contests in this year’s tournament have come against other SoCal clubs – they opened the tournament against San Diego Loyal SC, before meeting with NISA club California United Strikers in the Round of 32. LA Galaxy has two Open Cup titles to their name, winning the tournament in 2001 and 2005.