Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com
Sunday, July 6, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Republic FC held a halftime lead, but Liga MX side Atlas FC scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to claim a 2-1 victory at a sold-out Bonney Field on Sunday evening. Max Alvarez scored for Sacramento in the club's first of four international exhibitions this summer.
The first half saw both teams get their fair share of chances on goal. Early in the match, Republic FC had a cross saved by Atlas FC keeper Miguel Ángel Frage Licona and an Alvarez free kick blocked away.
Atlas created its first chance on goal in the 23rd minute. Republic FC keeper Dominik Jakubek saved the first shot of the attack, parried the second shot away and then saved a third shot on the ensuing Atlas corner kick.
The first goal of the match came in 40th minute when Republic FC striker Chad Bartlomé sent a through ball in the air to a streaking Alvarez, who found space behind the defense and got a one-on-one chance with Licona. Alvarez wrapped a left-footed curling shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give Republic FC a 1-0 lead, which it would carry into halftime.
Atlas controlled most of the possession in the second half. Its first goal came in the 80th minute off the foot of Sergio Amaury, who finished a far-post cross from Edy Germán Brambila Rosales to equalize. Atlas FC would take the lead four minutes later when Luis Nery Caballero received a through-ball from substitute defender Facundo Erpen and put a shot past a diving Jakubek.
“Bad taste in my mouth, I wanted to beat these guys,” said Jakubek. “I just step in when my number is called. I just want to win.“
Republic FC will host Orange County Blues FC on Monday, July 7. The match was rescheduled after poor air-quality caused the match to be postponed on July 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. PT at Bonney Field. Tickets from the original July 4 match will be honored at the July 7 match. For more information please visit SacRepublicFC.com. The match will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC and by using #SRFCvOCB.