SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC got a second-half penalty kick by Jeremy Hall to edge past Orange County SC 1-0 before a sellout crowd of 11,569 fans at Papa Murphy’s Park on Saturday night. The first good chance arrived for Sacramento’s Villyan Bijev in the 23rd minute as headed finish went just wide of the left post off a free kick, but the visitors also went close four minutes before the break as Thomas Enevoldsen hit the crossbar off a corner kick from the right by Koji Hashimoto. The game began to open up in the second half, however, and Republic FC’s Jure Matjasic was well denied by OCSC goalkeeper Andre Rawls four minutes after the break. Orange County’s Nansel Selbol threatened on a similar opportunity in the 54th minute, only to send his shot wide of the right post, and four minutes later Sacramento took the lead when Jeremy Hall converted from the penalty spot after Selbol brought down Bijev in the area. Both Enevoldsen and Michael Seaton had chances to level for Orange County soon after, and Giovanni Godoy forced a save from Republic FC goalkeeper Josh Cohen with 11 minutes to go. Sacramento almost put the game away with four minutes to go as Cameron Iwasa’s effort from the left side of the penalty area was turned away by Rawls, but that insurance goal wouldn’t be required as Orange County was reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Joe Amico was sent off for his second yellow card.

Scoring:
58’ – SAC – Jeremy Hall (penalty)

• #SACvOC: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Republic FC had to battle hard to get a bounce-back victory after its midweek defeat to Real Monarchs SLC, but thanks to Jeremy Hall’s penalty kick the side kept itself firmly in contention in the top three in the Western Conference standings. After being denied the opening goal due to handball in the first half, in addition to some other close calls, Sacramento continued to shot off its resiliency as it took victory on a third occasion after suffering a loss in the previous game this season.

• 2. Orange County had the chance to make a statement against its California rivals but couldn’t quite rise to the occasion as it remained solidly in the playoff positions but also looking more distantly at the teams at the top of the conference standings. After suffering back-to-back victories against Sacramento this season, OCSC is still looking for the sort of win that would shift perception of the side to a contender from its current middle-of-the-pack status.

• 3. Sacramento’s victory sets up a massive game next Saturday night when third-place Republic FC plays host to second-place Phoenix Rising FC at Papa Murphy’s Park. With both sides currently four points back of first-place Real Monarchs SLC in the standings, and the possibility that lead could increase with Real squaring off against Rio Grande Valley FC on Monday night, next Saturday’s game could determine which of Sacramento or Phoenix is going to be the biggest challenger to the defending USL Regular Season champions this season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Mitchell Taintor, Sacramento Republic FC – Taintor recorded four interceptions and six clearances and won seven of 10 duels as he and fellow center back Carlos Rodriguez put in a stellar display.

Upcoming Games:

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC – June 9, 11 p.m. ET, Papa Murphy’s Park

Orange County SC at LA Galaxy II – June 10, 8:30 p.m. ET, StubHub Center