RENO, Nev. – Sacramento Republic FC advanced past its regional rival Reno 1868 FC to reach the Fourth Round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night as Keven Aleman’s goal proved the difference in a 1-0 victory for the club from California’s capital at Greater Nevada Field.

Republic FC produced the better chances throughout the contest, and both Aleman and Cameron Iwasa had efforts saved just past the half-hour mark for the visitors by Reno goalkeeper Kyle Ihn to keep the game level at halftime.

Reno went close early as Guy Abend’s close-range header in the sixth minute went wide of the right post from Jerry van Ewijk’s corner kick, while Mark Anthony Gonzalez also went close for the hosts in the 20th minute as he shot just wide. A minute later Reno’s Ihn was called into action again as Carlos Rodriguez’s header from Aleman’s corner kick was turned away, but there was little 1868 FC’s goalkeeper could do with 21 minutes to go when the Canadian international picked out the top-left corner with a free kick from 25 yards out left of center at the top of the penalty area.

1868 FC went close to an equalizer in the 76th minute when defender Brenton Griffiths couldn’t find the target from Seth Casiple’s corner kick, but the hosts ended up without a shot on goal as Sacramento held a 13-10 edge overall in shots in advancing to the Fourth Round.