Sacramento Republic FC return to USL play when they host Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday, May 20.  Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Papa Murphy’s Park. Tickets to the match are still available at Ticketmaster.com.

This is the second and final time that Republic FC and the Roughnecks will meet in the regular season in 2017.  Republic FC won the first match between the two 2-1, thanks to goals from Tyler Blackwood and Wilson Kneeshaw.  Republic FC have never dropped a point against the Roughnecks, going a perfect 4-0-0.  Republic FC have also never scored less than two goals in a match against the Roughnecks.

Republic FC enter the match following a 4-0 victory over FC Anahuac (UPSL) in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 17. Kneeshaw, Harry Williams and Daniel Trickett-Smith provided all the scoring Republic FC needed as they advanced to the Third Round.  It was the first time that the English trio have all scored in the same match.

Williams recorded his first brace as a member of Republic FC on Wednesday with his 12th and 15th minute goals.  Williams has now recorded eight goals as a member of Republic FC, eighth-most all time. Elliott Hord assisted both goals, his first two assists of the season.  Hord recorded a single assist in eight appearances for Republic FC in 2016.

Kneeshaw recorded his third goal in all competitions with his 66th minute penalty against FC Anahuac on Wednesday.  He has now scored six goals in 16 all-competition appearances for Republic FC and is tied with Danny Barrera for ninth all-time in Republic FC history for all-competition goals. Kneeshaw and Blackwood and former Roughnecks forward Sammy Ochoa have combined for six of Republic FC’s eight goals this season.  The trio also accounts for four of the club’s six assists this season. 

The Roughnecks come into the match with a two-match USL win streak and winning their last three matches overall.  Tulsa have outscored their opponents 7-1 in their last two USL matches, including a 4-0 win over Orange County SC on Saturday, May 13.

Forward Ian Svantesson has scored four of the Roughnecks last seven goals, recording braces in each of the last two matches.  Svantesson joined the Roughnecks after spending the 2016 season with Rayo OKC (NASL).  The forward was named USL Player of the Week for his back-to-back braces in Week 8.

Midfielder Juan Pablo Caffa has also been an important addition to the Roughnecks offense this season, leading the club with two assists while adding two goals.   Caffa joined Tulsa after spending the last two seasons in Ecuador, most recently playing with CD Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

The match will be the return of former Republic FC midfielder Joaquin Rivas, who played with Republic FC in 2015 and 2016.  Rivas appeared in 32 matches in all competitions, including 19 USL appearances with Republic FC.  The midfielder scored a goal and recorded an assist in all competitions. Ochoa will also be playing his former team for the second time this season.  Ochoa scored 20 goals and added 9 assists in 54 USL appearances for the Roughnecks.

The match will be broadcast live on CW31 and Sports 1140 KHTK and will be streamed live at SacRepublicFC.com/matchday-guide and the USL Match Center. Tickets to the match are still available at Ticketmaster.com. Updates of the match will be also be provided via Twitter @SacRepublicFC or using #SACvTUL.