Sacramento Republic FC defender Chris Christian has been named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 9 for his performance against Tulsa Roughnecks FC on May 20. Christian was one of

Christian scored the match-winning goal in the 74th minute to snap Republic FC’s winless streak. Midfielder Danny Barrera swung in a perfect cross off a corner kick for an unmarked Christian to deliver a powerful header that the Roughnecks defense could not clear.

This is Christian’s first goal with Republic FC. Christian’s header was his only shot on target, giving the defender a 100 percent conversion rate in the match against the Roughnecks.

This is Christian’s first Team of the Week honor in the 2017 USL season. Last season, he was named to the Team of the Week during Week 1 after his performance in Republic FC's 2016 USL season opener against Seattle Sounders FC 2.

For his part, Barrera was named to the Bench of the Week for Week 9. Aside from providing the assist for Christian’s match-winning goal, the midfielder also broke the Republic FC goalless streak in the 29th minute and tying the match 1-1.

Republic FC return to action this Sunday when they travel to Washington to face Seattle Sounders FC 2 for the second time this season. Republic FC took the 2-1 victory on Mar. 26 at Starfire Sports Complex with goals from Sammy Ochoa and Emrah Klimenta. The team will be without Klimenta for this match, as the defender was called up for the Montenegro National Team and will remain with the team through Jun. 10. 

The squad then returns to Papa Murphy's Park on Wednesday, May 31 when Republic FC host Reno 1868 FC in the Third Round of U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

The match will be general admission only and there will be seating in VIP. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com starting at $18. Season Ticket Holders should contact their account representatives to secure their promo code if they have not already received it. 

Full Week 9 USL Team of the Week: Charlie Lyon (Orange County SC);  Greg Cochrane (San Antonio FC), Jimmy Ockford (Reno 1868 FC), Chris Christian (Sacramento Republic FC); Brian Ownby (Louisville City FC), Daniel Haber (Real Monarchs SLC), Michael Salazar (Ottawa Fury FC), Sebastian Velasquez (Real Monarchs SLC), Dante Marini (Charleston Battery); Danni König (FC Cincinnati), Dane Kelly (Reno 1868 FC).