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Crowd of 11,569 sees Republic FC Down S2

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/03/16, 1:10AM EDT

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Da Fonte’s first goal lifts Sacramento to 2-1 victory at Bonney Field


Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A sellout crowd of 11,569 fans saw Sacramento Republic FC claim a 2-1 victory against Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Bonney Field in a back-and-forth clash on Saturday night. Republic FC took the lead early on as Adam Jahn set up Harry Williams for a low finish, and the hosts continued to control much of the game. Seattle had some chances on the counter-attack, but was kept in the game by goalkeeper Charlie Lyon as he finished the first half with five saves, while Danny Barrera also hit the crossbar for Sacramento with a free kick just before halftime. Those saves became all the more important with 20 minutes to go when S2’s Andy Craven laid a pass off to Zach Mathers at the top of the penalty area, and Mathers curled home a finish into the top-left corner to make it 1-1. Sacramento regained the lead eight minutes later, however, as Mike Da Fonte’s header off a Barrera free kick found the left corner of the net, and the hosts closed out the victory to secure another big win.  

Scoring:
5’ – SAC – Harry Williams (Adam Jahn)
70’ – SEA – Zach Mathers (Andy Craven)
78’ – SAC – Mike Da Fonte (Danny Barrera)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Sacramento extended its undefeated streak to nine games, and as importantly kept pace with both Vancouver and LA at the top of the Western Conference standings, after taking a strong effort from Seattle that saw the visitors score a beautiful goal by Zach Mathers to make it very interesting with 20 minutes to go. Mike Da Fonte’s first goal for Sacramento couldn’t have come at a better time, as Republic FC for a second consecutive week took advantage of a good set piece to earn a result.

  • 2. Sounders FC 2 was still in the game by the time Mathers’ equalizer came around mostly thanks to the play of goalkeeper Charlie Lyon, who was as outstanding as his players were average in the first half. Lyon’s acrobatics to keep S2’s deficit at only one was a tremendous display, and it will have been disappointing to his teammates that they weren’t able to limit Sacramento’s chances after finding an equalizer as Republic FC bounced back to take victory.  

  • 3. One major concern for Sacramento coming out of the game will be the health of fullback Emrah Klimenta, who was forced to leave early after going down in the attacking end. One of the key figures for Republic FC since the club’s establishment, Sacramento likely has enough depth to provide adequate cover, but Republic FC and neutral fans alike would be poorer for Klimenta being out for any serious length of time as one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the USL.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mike Da Fonte, Sacramento Republic FC – Da Fonte recorded his first goal for Sacramento, and it brought victory to Republic FC as the side extended its undefeated streak to nine games, and remained third in the Western Conference standings.

Upcoming Games:

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC – July 6, 11 p.m. ET, Merlo Field

Seattle Sounders FC 2 at Saint Louis FC – July 6, 8 p.m. ET, World Wide Technology Soccer Park

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