April 28, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Sacramento, Calif. – Late heroics secured three points on Saturday night, with the Indomitable Club besting Loudoun United FC 3-1 at Heart Health Park Sacramento. The Quails extend their lead atop the Western Conference standings and records its eighth match unbeaten to open the 2024 season. The match marked Head Coach Mark Briggs 100th career win across the USL Championship regular season and playoffs – only the third coach to reach the milestone in league history. The win closes out a 3-0-1 April for Sacramento.
Russell Cicerone would open the scoring on the night. Ten minutes after the opening whistle, Cicerone finished a heavy rebound off Loudon’s keeper to record his second goal of the season. Trevor Amann nearly doubled his club’s advantage 13 minutes later with Sacramento pressing high. After drawing the keeper off his line, his right-footed attempt was cleared away in dramatic fashion and kept Sacramento’s advantage at one.
The visitors equalized in the 28th minute. After a shot rattled the woodwork, Loudoun put one through to level the score at one apiece.
Sacramento nearly took the lead back with a pair of chances on either side of the break. Just before halftime, Russell Cicerone nearly found a brace, chipping a shot toward goal but was denied by the woodwork. Conor Donovan headed a Rodrigo Lopez corner kick on target in the 49th minute, with a snap save sparing Loudoun.
In his home debut, striker and Huddersfield Town AFC loanee Kieran Phillips netted his first goal with Republic FC in the 87th minute. The Englishman flicked along a pass to Trevor Amann, who returned the favor creating a chance for Phillips to chip the ball into the net. Six minutes later in stoppage time, Phillips added a second – his first brace in USL play – to lock up three points for the home side.
Republic FC is back on the road next week, heading to the desert to face off with Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and the match will be broadcast on FOX40, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, and streaming on ESPN+.
Tickets are also on sale for the club’s May 7 Open Cup match against Monterey Bay F.C. Republic FC has participated in every tournament played since the club’s inaugural season in 2014 and has made Heart Health Park a difficult environment for Open Cup foes, claiming 17 all-time wins. Kickoff from Heart Health Park is at 7:30 p.m. PT and fans can secure…