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Blues, Republic FC Play Six-Goal Thriller

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/10/16, 9:11PM EDT

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Four goals in the final 20 minutes leave Orange County, Sacramento tied 3-3


Photo courtesy Liza Rosales / Orange County Blues FC

IRVINE, Calif. – Orange County Blues FC and Sacramento Republic FC exchanged four goals in the final 20 minutes as they played to a 3-3 draw on Sunday evening at Anteater Stadium. Sacramento took the lead midway through the first half as a short corner routine allowed Danny Barrera to find Mike Da Fonte with a cross from the right that the center back volleyed home for his third goal of the season. Orange County pulled level early in the second half when Brenton Griffiths was pulled down in the Republic FC penalty area, and Didier Crettenand converted from the spot. The hosts then took the lead with 18 minutes to go as Trevin Caesar scored his second goal in as many games off a great cross by substitute Akwafei Ajeakwa, but Republic FC hit back seven minutes later as Barrera notched his second assist of the night on Cameron Iwasa’s finish. Orange County regained the lead two minutes after that on Crettenand’s second goal of the night, a driven free kick to the top-right corner of the net, but again Sacramento leveled on Mackenzie Pridham’s close-range finish two minutes later. Republic FC saw Da Fonte sent off with three minutes to go for his second yellow card, but the Blues were unable to take advantage as the game ended level.

Scoring
21’ – SAC – Mike Da Fonte (Danny Barrera)
51’ – OC – Didier Crettenand (PK)
72’ – OC – Trevin Caesar (Akwafei Ajeakwa)
79’ – SAC – Cameron Iwasa (Danny Barrera)
81’ – OC – Didier Crettenand
83’ – SAC – Mackenzie Pridham

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Both the Blues and Republic FC did enough to take victory, which might mean honors ending even was a fair result in the end. Danny Barrera’s continued productivity came to the fore again for Sacramento – he has six assists in his past five games, which at least for the moment gives him the league lead pending Tulsa’s result tonight – while Didier Crettenand’s two-goal performance was capped by a spectacular free kick that could easily have been a fitting game-winner.

  • 2. Orange County’s momentum changed with the introduction of Akwafei Ajeakwa as a substitute, with the winger’s speed causing problems for Sacramento, and eventually ending up providing the assist on Trevin Caesar’s goal. Ajeakwa has been an interesting addition for the Blues this season, with Sunday his 12th appearance, with the attacking spark he brings to the side a very useful option for Coach Oliver Wyss.

  • 3. Caesar’s goal with 18 minutes to go set off a crazy final period of play that saw four goals and a sending off, and in the end honors end even. After their midweek defeat to Real Monarchs SLC, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Republic FC fail to find a way to bounce back, but the fact that it did to earn a point will be a big mental boost as it continues a tough road ahead.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Danny Barrera, Sacramento Republic FC – Barrera continued to shine for Sacramento, as he recorded a pair of fine assists to give him six for the season and help the side claim a point on the road.

Upcoming Games:

Orange County Blues FC at OKC Energy FC – July 16, 8:30 p.m. ET, Taft Stadium

Sacramento Republic FC at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – July 16, 9 p.m. ET, Switchbacks Stadium

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