July 8, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Republic FC’s Open Cup quest continues Tuesday night against an American soccer giant. Four-time U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders FC visits Heart Health Park with a spot in the final four on the line in America’s oldest competition. Sacramento plays its second Open Cup quarterfinal in three seasons and is one of three lower-division sides remaining in the tournament.
At a Glance: #SACvSEA
Tuesday, July 9 – 8:00 PM kickoff
Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
Tickets at SacRepublicFC.com/tickets
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Promotions: $2 Modelos (while supplies last)
Republic FC – The Latest
Republic FC reached the quarterfinal round by claiming a victory in an instant classic in the Round of 16. A back-and-forth, wide-open match against the San Jose Earthquakes required extra time to decide a winner on May 21. Sacramento came back from two deficits, overcoming an opening score by San Jose early in the first half, and a 100th minute tally by Hernan Lopez. A pair of goals within 90 seconds of the start of the second additional period sent Heart Health Park into a frenzy as the Quails knocked the Quakes out of the tournament in their second consecutive meeting. Kieran Phillips was named the Player of the Round by TheCup.us, scoring a first-half brace.
Tuesday’s match marks Republic FC’s second all-time quarterfinal appearance. On the way to the 2022 final, Sacramento visited Carson, CA to face LA Galaxy away from home and claimed a 2-1 victory. Rodrigo Lopez scored a memorable fourth-minute goal, and Sacramento went ahead for good in the 71st on Luis Felipe’s third straight game-winner of the 2022 tournament.
Know Your Opponent
To reach the final eight, Sounders FC defeated a pair of USL Championship clubs on home turf. A Round of 32 meeting with Louisville City FC went the distance as the Kentucky club would equalize in the waning moments of regular time. Starfire would host an epic, eight-round shootout where Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas would step to the line for a save, and then walk to the spot for a game ending kick. The drama continued into the next round as the Pacific Northwest Club hosted Phoenix Rising FC. Rising’s Rémi Cabral netted a penalty to take the lead, but Alex Roldan would convert from the penalty spot as well in the 68th minute to equalize. Seattle punched its ticket to the next round on an 88th minute winner when Kalani…