Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2 -1 LA Galaxy II
Oct 8, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Feb 27, 2020, 10:03 am
(Photo provided by SRFC)
(Photo provided by SRFC)
CARSON, Calif. (October 6, 2018) — Sacramento Republic FC rode a first-half brace from Keven Alemán to defeat LA Galaxy II on the road on Wednesday night and secure home-field advantage in the 2018 USL Playoffs.
The visitors opened the score less than a quarter-hour into the match after capitalizing on a bad defensive clearance from Los Dos. LA Galaxy II keeper Eric Lopez’s clearance fell to Jure Matjasic who split the home defense with a low, diagonal ball to Alemán on the right wing. The Canadian international charged the box, cut to his preferred left foot to lose his mark and fired past Lopez to put Republic FC ahead.
The two combined again to double Sacramento’s lead in the 21st minute. Matjasic found Alemán open on the wing and the Costa Rican midfielder offloaded his defender once again before chipping a shot past Lopez at the near post.
LA pulled one back just three minutes later after Republic FC’s defense was unable to deal with a cross in the box. Nate Shultz lofted the ball back in to Frank Lopez who headed home at the back post.
Republic FC could have extended their lead in the 68th minute after Matjasic was brought down in the box, but Jeremy Hall’s penalty kick was well-saved by the LA goalkeeper.
Sacramento made matters more complicated when Cole Seiler was sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the night with just over a quarter-hour to play. Los Dos were unable to capitalize on their man advantage, however, and Republic FC returned home with all three points.
The win moved Republic FC to 62 points in the Western Conference, which guarantees the club a top-four finish and a home playoffs berth. The Indomitable Club will conclude the regular season at home on Saturday, October 13, against Las Vegas Lights FC.
Playoffs tickets go on sale to general public on October 9th at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.com.
