USL PRO Game Preview
Friday, June 13, 2014
OKLAHOMA CITY - Sacramento Republic FC (6-3-2) will travel to Pribil Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Saturday to take on Oklahoma City Energy FC (3-7-2) in USL PRO play. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
The game will be the first matchup between the two 2014 expansion sides. Republic FC is unbeaten in its past five USL PRO matches, while Energy FC enters the match having tied in back-to-back matches on June 6 and 7.
Energy FC will be led by forward Kyle Greig, who leads the club with four goals and an assist. Midfielder Steven Perry is a close second to Greig scoring three goals on the season. Both Perry and Greig, along with defender Gareth Evans, were teammates of Republic FC defender Mickey Daly last season with Wilmington Hammerheads FC.
Republic FC comes into the match following a loss to the San Jose Earthquakes in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Despite the loss Republic FC is 6-1-1 in its past eight matches. Republic FC is lead by midfielder Rodrigo Lopez who has either scored or assisted in five of his last seven matches.
Forward Justin Braun has also been in good form of late scoring two goals in his last two appearances, including Republic FC’s lone goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on June 11.
Republic FC will be without leading scorer Thomas Stewart and midfielder Carlos Martinez due to hamstring injuries, however, it is bolstering its attack with the addition of forward Adam Jahn, who is back on loan from San Jose. Jahn has started in two matches with Republic FC this season, scoring two goals including the first home goal in franchise history.