Sacramento Republic FC News Release -- www.sacrepublicfc.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Republic FC (10-6-2) will host Orlando City SC (14-0-3) on Thursday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. The match will be Republic FC’s first Salute to Military Night.
The matchup will be the first and only time the two sides will meet in the regular season. Republic FC will try to stay unbeaten at Bonney Field in USL PRO play as it faces first-place Orlando City, a club moving to the MLS in 2015.
Republic FC enters the match after splitting its weekend East Coast road trip. Republic FC fell to the Richmond Kickers 2-1 on Saturday before rebounding and beating the Charlotte Eagles 1-0 on Monday. Republic FC is entering a stretch of five matches in 11 days, including three matches in five days.
Republic FC will rely heavily on playmaking midfielder Rodrigo Lopez. Coming off a suspension for yellow card accumulation, Lopez enters the match having scored three goals and recorded three assists in his last five appearances. Lopez’s six assists lead Republic FC and are second in USL PRO this season.
Republic FC forward Thomas Stewart tallied his fifth USL PRO goal of the season against Charlotte on Monday. Stewart is now tied with Lopez for the team lead in overall and USL PRO goals this season.
Orlando City comes into the match unbeaten in USL PRO play this season and has not lost in USL PRO play since August 14, 2013. Orlando’s defense has been the biggest key to the club's success this year, having conceded just 11 goals in 17 matches, including seven shutouts. The Lions' defense is led by Luke Boden, who leads the club in minutes played. Boden is also a contributor offensively, with two goals and three assists.
On offense, Orlando is led by attacking midfielder Kevin Molino, whose seven assists lead USL PRO. Molino has also scored 11 goals on the season, second-most in USL PRO.
The match will be Salute to Military Night. Military members will be a part of pregame and halftime festivities. In addition, military members attending Salute to Military Night at Bonney Field will receive a 10% discount for Republic FC Merchandise and $5 beer specials with a military ID card. The match will also be the first match held during the California State Fair. A Sacramento Republic FC ticket will allow the holder access to the fair on match day.
The match will be broadcast on KHTK Sports 1140 AM and streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday. Updates of the match will also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC and by using #SRFCvORL.