July 10, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Republic FC’s 2024 Open Cup journey comes to an end as the club fell to MLS side Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 on Tuesday night. Sacramento put up a big effort to get back into the match from a two-nil deficit, but a lone goal from Sebastian Herrera in the 49th minute was not enough to push the club into the Semifinals.
Kieran Phillips got the sold out crowd on its feet early as he nearly found the opening goal in the third minute after Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas misplayed a pass back, but the keeper tracked down Phillips to deny the opportunity.
The visitors would find the opening goal in the 16th minute as Josh Atencio’s shot took an unlucky deflection into the back of the net. Minutes later, Cristian Parano was just inches from pulling the Indomitable Club even off a give-and-go with Damia Viader at the top of the box. Parano got past the defense, but his left-footed shot went just wide of the post. Seattle doubled its lead before the half as Jordan Morris broke through and forced Danny Vitello to come off his line, giving the U.S. Men’s National Team veteran an opportunity to convert the chance.
Vitiello would have his first highlight moment of the night in first-half stoppage time as Yeimar Gomez headed a free kick from Albert Rusnak on frame, but the USL Championship Midseason Player of the Year made a diving leap to punch the ball away.
The Indomitable Club got the jumpstart it needed on the other side of the half as halftime substitute Sebastian Herrera pulled one back. The Colombian striker rose above the defense to head home Jack Gurr’s corner in the 49th minute, his second goal of the tournament. He now has four all-time Open Cup goals, ranking him third in the club’s record book.
As Republic FC continued to put numbers up top to find an equalizer, Seattle tried to counter as Reed Baker-Whiting carried the ball up the left flank. But defender Jared Timmer would not give up the opportunity easily, sprinting from half field to chase down Baker-Whiting to tackle the ball away for a corner.
Sacramento’s Jonathan Ricketts appeared to get the game-tying goal in the 87th minute after Seattle’s goalkeeper was forced to punch a cross away, but the goal was disallowed after Trevor Amann was called offsides as he made the challenge on the initial ball in.
It’s another quick turnaround for Republic FC as the club returns to league play and closes out its…