SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC kept its undefeated start to the 2018 season going as it took a 1-0 win against Seattle Sounders FC 2 in front of a sellout crowd off 11,569 fans at Papa Murphy’s Park on Saturday night. After starting the match well things got difficult for Sacramento in the 20th minute as the hosts lost Mitchell Taintor to a straight red card, forcing defensive changes for Republic FC. Despite the man-advantage, Seattle struggled to make it count as the adjustments made defensively to cover for the missing defender closed the space down well. Sacramento forward Cameron Iwasa then nearly put his side in front in the 41st minute as a missed clearance allowed Iwasa to run onto the ball and hit it powerfully but just inches wide of goal. Three minutes later Seattle was also reduced to 10 men as Rodrigue Ele earned his second yellow card of the half. Sacramento goalkeeper Josh Cohen was forced a spectacular save in the 54th minute as S2 forward Felix Chenkam headed the ball into the ground, looking to bounce it over Cohen who leaped high and parried the ball over the bar. On the hour-mark, Sacramento midfielder Villyan Bijev showed his skill as he moved the ball around his defender and the goalkeeper but couldn’t add a finish as he only picked out the post, allowing S2 to clear. But Seattle was reduced to nine men as defender Denso Ulysse was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge from behind in the 64th minute. Following the third red card of the game Sacramento picked up its speed, looking to take advantage of the space, and drew a penalty just four minutes later which was converted by midfielder Adam Moffat. The goal from the spot proved enough as Seattle could not overcome Sacramento with an extra man, falling to another loss in Sacramento.

Scoring
71’ – SAC – Adam Moffat (penalty)

• #SACvSEA: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. At the beginning of the week, there were 10 undefeated teams in USL, Sacramento Republic FC made sure it was one of the six still remaining in that group thanks to a third victory overall and second home win of the season. Strong tackling, with a 71.4 percent accuracy rate kept things tight when Sacramento was down a man, a factor that proved crucial in the win.

• 2. Sacramento has been a difficult place for S2 to play, having failed to pick up even a draw in six attempts. In this match that was largely due to being edged out in head-to-head battles winning 48.9 percent of all duels while faring worse in the air, winning just 46.2 percent of aerial duels.

• 3. Things don't get any easier for Seattle as it welcomes an undefeated Real Monarchs SLC to Cheney Stadium on Wednesday night. To make things even worse, S2 will now have to face he Monarchs with a makeshift backline after losing two defenders, Denso Ulysse and Rodrigue Ele, to red cards and thus suspension for Sounders FC 2's next outing.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:

Villyan Bijev, Sacramento Republic FC – Bijev was a threat for the full 90 minutes, showing his skills in midfield throughout the match. Bijev won 12 duels and created two chances, while also managing one interception.

Upcoming Games:

Sacramento Republic FC at Las Vegas Lights FC – April 14, 11 p.m. ET, Cashman Field

Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Real Monarchs SLC – April 11, 10 p.m. ET, Cheney Stadium