USL PRO Game Report
Monday, April 7, 2014
CARSON, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC claimed its first USL PRO victory in franchise history as it took a 3-1 victory against Chivas USA Reserves in an Interleague game held on Monday afternoon at the StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium. Sacramento scored first when Mike Fucito gave Republic FC the initial lead in the 12th minute. The Goats responded with the equalizer by striker Luke Moore in the 24th minute, but the Northern California side managed to add a pair of scores by Justin Braun and Thomas Stewart to take victory, and remain undefeated.
Both clubs came out looking to establish the upper hand in their attacking third and go at goal. Republic FC got on the scoresheet first when a cross from the right edge of the penalty was bobbled by Chivas goalkeeper Tim Melia, which allowed Fucito to clean up the loose ball with a tap-in from just outside the six-yard area.
The Goats evened the score in the 24th minute when forward Matthew Fondy set up midfielder Leandro Barrera on the left seam to play a cross into the short area, where Moore connected with a header to log his first goal with the Red-and-White.
Just a minute later, however, the Northern California side reclaimed the lead when Fucito sent a cross near the goal line on the left side of the penalty area to find Braun at the back post for the go-ahead tally.
Moore continued to get into range and got off a clean strike from outside the box in the 38th minute, but the long-range attempt sailed over the crossbar. Sacramento also had chances to add to its lead, only for Fucito to be denied by Melia from 15 yards out and other opportunities to go awry.
Playing a goal down midway through the second half, Chivas continued to get their attackers forward in search of the equalizer, which nearly came in the 74th minute. Forward Caleb Calvert – who entered the contest as a sub in the final stages of the first half – saw Republic FC keeper Jake Gleeson off his line and headed the ball over him. The attempt was on target but, Republic FC defender Emrah Kilmenta was able to recover and clear the ball to safety.
Republic FC went on to add to their lead with a stoppage-time goal through Stewart, who lifted a finish from 25 yards out over Melia and just under the crossbar to secure the 3-1 road win to cap the in-state contest.
Republic FC returns to Southern California next weekend as it visits the Orange County Blues on Saturday night at 7 p.m. PT>