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Switchbacks Earn Draw in Sacramento

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/03/17, 12:51AM EDT

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Eboussi’s stoppage-time goal deflates sellout crowd of 11,569


Photo courtesy Sacramento Republic FC

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pascal Eboussi scored in stoppage time as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took a 2-2 draw with Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 11,569 at Papa Murphy’s Park. The Switchbacks threatened early as Kevaughn Frater’s chance was snuffed out by Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton. Luke Vercollone also went close from a free kick in the 21st minute, while Republic FC almost took the lead when Trevin Caesar skied a finish 15 minutes later when he was left open in the center of the penalty area. Sacramento took the lead in the 37th minute as Agustin Cazarez fired home a finish into the top-left corner of the net, but a minute later the Switchbacks leveled as Vercollone curled home a finish into the bottom-right corner to make it 1-1. Matthew Wiesenfarth’s first professional goal put Republic FC back ahead before the break, however, as Caesar seized on a loose goal kick and set up the midfielder for a composed finish. Blackwood almost added a third for Republic FC in the 58th minute, only for his header to float wide of the right post, while Cazerez fired a shot just wide of the left post from 25 yards with a fierce shot. Colorado Springs almost pulled level again with 16 minutes to go as Vercollone had an open shot well saved by Newton, but after Sacramento was unable to put away some late chances to put the game away, Eboussi rose at the back post to head home Kacher’s left-sided corner kick to level in stoppage time and steal a point for the Switchbacks.

Scoring:
37’ – SAC – Agustin Cazarez (Tyler Blackwood)
38’ – COS – Luke Vercollone (Masta Kacher)
45+’ – SAC – Matthew Wiesenfarth (Trevin Caesar)
90+’ – COS – Pascal Eboussi (Masta Kacher)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Colorado Springs entered the game in must-win territory in terms of its postseason hopes, but while this wasn’t the three points the Switchbacks were looking for the visitors will have ended up being delighted to take a point away from this contest. The Switchbacks could have been buried after Sacramento had chances throughout the second half to add to their one-goal lead, but when the hosts were unable to the visitors made them pay thanks to Pascal Eboussi’s goal in stoppage time. Wins are still going to be needed for the Switchbacks, but this will do for tonight.

  • 2. Sacramento was on the verge of stopping the club’s winless streak, but its inability to put the Switchbacks away despite numerous late chances ended up proving costly, and kept Republic FC in sixth place at the end of the night in the Western Conference. Matthew Wiesenfarth’s first professional goal was a good moment, but the chances that went begging late as Republic FC countered a Colorado Springs side that had thrown extra numbers forward will be awfully frustrating for Sacramento Head Coach Paul Buckle.

  • 3. Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton appeared to have done enough to earn his side the victory, with his last-gasp save to deny Tobenna Uzo in the 90th minute the last of a five-save performance that also saw big denials of Kevaughn Frater and Luke Vercollone. But while his counterpart in the Switchbacks goal, Moise Pouaty, had looked like costing his side the game with his errant goal kick that led to Wiesenfarth’s goal, Pouaty’s fellow countryman bailed him out with the late equalizer that spoiled the night for Newton and his teammates.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Masta Kacher, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Kacher recorded the assists on both goals for the Switchbacks, including a great back-post corner kick from the left to allow Pascal Eboussi to equalize in stoppage time.

Upcoming Games:
Sacramento Republic FC
at Rio Grande Valley FC – September 9, 8:30 p.m. ET, H-E-B Park
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC – September 9, 8 p.m. ET, Weidner Field

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