July 10, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – The Indomitable Club once again lives up to its name with a thriller at Heart Health Park. Republic FC would split the points with regional foe Oakland Roots SC Saturday, keeping alive the club’s home unbeaten streak thanks to some late match heroics.
The two clubs traded punches throughout the evening, but Sacramento would have the last laugh when Luis Felipe headed through a Rodrigo Lopez cross at the death to steal a point and defend home turf.
Republic FC got off to a fast start, putting Oakland on their heels almost immediately following the opening whistle. After nearly opening the scoring with a pair of chances from Jack Gurr and Luis Felipe, Sacramento went up 1-0 in the 11thminute. Good pressure on the visitors’ goal line from Douglas Martinez put a rebound at the feet of Maalique Foster, who sent the ball along to Rodrigo Lopez wide open crashing net for the opening score.
Sacramento kept their foot on the gas, challenging Oakland again in the 20th minute. But Roots clawed their way back, putting a great look on frame in the 23rd before equalizing in the 27th off the foot of Juan Azocar.
Republic FC answered the Roots equalizer just before halftime. A successful challenge from Duke Lacroix cleared away an Oakland threat, before the ball slipped past the visitor’s backline. Maalique Foster won the footrace from the midfield stripe for the ball before netting the score – his fourth this season and third in as many games.
The two clubs traded punches after the break; Roots pulled even 10 minutes after halftime when Magnus Karlsson netted his first of two scores on the night. Sacramento answered with a pair of dangerous chances – with Maalique Foster nearly finding his way in. But Roots would go ahead on Karlsson’s second of the match in the 70th minute, an advantage they’d hold until the final attack on the night when Sacramento’s late equalizer rippled the back of the net in stoppage time.
Following Saturday’s draw, Republic FC will welcome Birmingham Legion FC to Heart Health Park – with the California State Fair in the backdrop for the first time in three seasons. Kickoff from Heart Health Park is set for 8:00 p.m., and the match will be broadcast live on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, as well as streaming on ESPN+.
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