USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, May 3, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Republic FC claimed its first win of the season as they took a 2-1 victory against the visiting Orange County Blues FC in front of 17,414 at Hughes Stadium on Saturday night. Adam Jahn scored his second goal in as many games for Republic FC after Allan Russell had brought the Blues level early in the second half.
Republic FC had much the better of the first hald, and after numerous unsuccessful opportunities in the first half-hour Stewart was able to break through and score in the 42nd minute. Stewart, in what appeared to be a cross, sent a ball into the penalty area from the left side. The ball floated to the far post, and deflected into the net off the upright past Blues FC goalkeeper Patrick McLain and into the net.
The Blues hit back early in the second half as Orange County showed its resilience and was rewarded with a 48th-minute goal. The goal came off the head of Allan Russell, who crept in behind the defense and put away a far-post cross from the left by Jiovanni Santana with a diving header.
Republic FC got back in their first half form and Jahn netted what proved to be the game-winner with 20 minutes to play. The headed strike came from a cross off the foot of defender Nemanja Vuković that glanced off the crossbar and found Jahn. The Blues had a few scoring chances in the final 15 minutes, but Republic FC Goalkeeper Jake Gleeson came up with a couple of big saves to allow his side to hold on for victory.
“I wasn’t really worried”, said Republic FC Head Coach Preki, “I know what we have in the locker room and the guys are working really hard and they are playing exactly the way we want to play.”
Republic FC will host the third of three straight home matches on May 17 against the LA Galaxy II. The match will be played at Hughes Stadium and is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT.