Floodgates Open in Republic FC Six-Goal Rout of Tulsa
Jun 24, 2019, 5:50 AM | Updated: 5:50 am
Photo via the Sacramento Republic FC
On the same night that the United States Men’s National Soccer Team defeated Trinidad and Tobago 6-0, the Sacramento Republic FC scored six goals of their own in the second straight clean sheet victory in the USL. Sacramento had no problem finding the back of the net in front of a large crowd on Saturday for Pride Night at Papa Murphy’s Park.
Coming into the match well rested, having not played since Tuesday, June 11th, Sacramento was on the front foot very early, replicating their early scoring against the San Jose Earthquakes in the US Open Cup. Just nine minutes into the match, with fans still settling in, center back Mitchell Taintor showed off his timing and athleticism with a diving header goal off a low cross from winger Villyan Bijev.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC struggled to keep possession for the entire match, yielding their second goal just minutes before halftime. Republic captain Cameron Iwasa beat Tulsa’s keeper with a strike off the volley, giving Sacramento the comfortable advantage at the break.
At times this season, the Republic have failed to carry first half momentum into the second 45 minutes, a problem that head coach Simon Elliott mentioned the club has been working hard to fix in training. It paid of Saturday, as Sacramento earned their third goal with a Stefano Bonomo strike in the opening minutes of the second half.
Iwasa and Bonomo each would score one more time, both finishing the night with braces, completely taking the wind out of Tulsa’s defensive effort. Midfielder Sam Werner would take advantage of the Roughnecks’ sluggishness with an incredible run up the sideline, dribbling his way past multiple defenders, finding position in the box, and slotting home his team’s sixth goal.
The six-goal win is Sacramento’s largest margin of victory in the club’s history. The Republic continued their run of form in league play, adding another three points to their season tally, vaulting them up to sixth place in the Western Conference with 23 points.
Sacramento is currently tied in the standings with Reno 1868 FC, who the Republic play on the road Saturday, June 29th.
