May 1, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – Republic FC split the points with Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday night, playing to a 1-1 draw at Heart Health Park to extend their home unbeaten streak to six matches.
The club had their way with the Southern Nevada side throughout the match, outshooting them 25-8 and generating 14 set piece opportunities, but the right final action would evade them, keeping things knotted at one apiece.
Following a slow start, Las Vegas put pressure on Sacramento, opening the scoring in the 17th minute. After Danny Vitiello made an excellent save on a shot from Danny Trejo at close range, the ball bounced just far enough away for Roberto Molina to punch it in.
The Indomitable club responded immediately to put the visitors on the heels, however, going on to post 12 shots and put six on target in the first half. A huge chance to equalize from Luther Archimede in the 21st minute went just wide of the post after a great defensive play from Luis Felipe to intercept. Lights FC nearly put one in their own net moments later, but Archimede’s deflected cross went off the post.
Republic FC equalized in the 37th minute on a set piece, when Dan Casey put in his first of what was nearly three scores in the first half. In the box to give the club numbers on a corner, the Irishman fielded a deflection from Tomas Romero in goal and put it through. Casey nearly headed through a second on a set piece in the 41st minute off service from Jack Gurr.
Romero kept the score even for his club with two great saves not ten minutes after the start of the second half. A leaping save deflected away what was nearly a beautiful finish from an unmarked Archimede, and just seconds later, a similar stop sent away an attempt from Dami Viader that looked like it would have ended up in the top corner. The two chances set the tone for Sacramento as time ticked down – after entering for Zeiko Lewis, Rafa…