Sacramento Republic FC News Release - www.sacrepublicfc.com

Friday, April 17, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento Republic FC (3-2-0, 9 pts) hosts the Portland Timbers 2 (2-1-1, 7 pts) on Saturday night at Bonney Field. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. PT. Gates open at 6 p.m. PT.

The match will be the second contest between the sides this season. T2 defeated Republic FC 2-1 behind an 87th-minute goal by second-half substitute, and former Republic FC loan player, Steven Evans on April 2. The match is the third match in eight days for Republic FC and its third consecutive home match.

Republic FC enters the match after defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, 2-0, on Wednesday night. Rodrigo Lopez scored both goals for Republic FC, including a strike from behind the halfway line. Goalkeeper Patrick McLain recorded five saves on the way to his first shutout of the 2015 season.

Lopez’s brace moved him ahead of fellow midfielder Octavio Guzman for the club lead in goals for the season. He has now scored three goals in his last two matches. Bonney Field also seems to be a comfortable place for Lopez, who has scored 11 of his 14 USL regular season goals at Bonney Field.

McLain recorded his first shutout as a member of Republic FC on Saturday. He came up big with a season-high five saves, including two in one-on-one situations. McLain has allowed just one goal in his last two matches.

The match also marked the first career start for Republic midfielder Zev Taublieb, who made his first professional appearance on April 11 against LA Galaxy II. Taublieb played 58 minutes in the match alongside Ivan Mirković in the center of midfield.

Republic FC is now 10-1-1 all-time at Bonney Field in USL regular season matches and have outscored opponents 26-9 in the 12 matches, including six shutouts. 

Timbers 2 enter the match following a 2-1 defeat to Seattle Sounders FC 2 on Saturday, April 11.  T2 struck first with a headed goal by former Republic FC defender Harrison Delbridge in the 30th minute. S2 came back in the second half, scoring on a penalty in the 47th minute and then won the match in the 88th minute on Giuliano Frano’s first goal of the season.

T2 forward Kharlton Belmar has been an offensive weapon so far this season for T2, scoring three goals in the club’s first four matches.  Belmar scored a goal against Republic FC in the first matchup between the two clubs.

Delbridge, who appeared in 16 USL matches for Republic FC during the 2014 season, has also provided an offensive spark for T2, recording a goal and an assist in three appearances this season. His three points are second in the club.

The match will be broadcast live on CW31 and KHTK Sports 1140 AM.  The broadcast on CW31 will begin with a half-hour pregame starting at 7 p.m. PT. The match will also be live streamed at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday and updates will be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvPOR.