Sacramento, California (Wednesday, June 14, 2017) – Real Salt Lake fell to USL side Sacramento Republic FC 4-1 in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to bow out in the early stages of the tournament.
Eight Real Monarchs standouts were in the 18 for RSL as DFs James Moberg, Max Lachowecki, MF Nick Besler and FWs Daniel Haber and Andrew Brody all made their first RSL appearances for the club in the loss.
The first half of action saw both sides create numerous chances before Sacramento made the breakthrough when Republic midfielder Danny Barrera slammed home the opening goal from 12 yards.
RSL equalized just five minutes later through FW Ricardo Velazco when he slipped a shot past Sacramento goalkeeper Evan Newton for his first career goal for RSL. The equalizer didn’t last long however as Republic tallied two goals in the 43rd and 45th minutes to take the 3-1 lead into halftime.
The second half gave RSL a chance to reset as Head Coach Mike Petke brought on FW Brooks Lennon to start the half. RSL applied the pressure from the get-go but their tenacity going forward allowed Sacramento to find their fourth goal through Barrera in the 71st minute.
RSL searched for a footing in the game but the goals never came as the game ended 4-1 in favor of Sacramento Republic FC.
UP NEXT: The Claret-and-Cobalt will return to MLS action on Saturday when it hosts expansion side Minnesota United FC at Rio Tinto Stadium (8:00 pm MST kick-off). The game will be the second ever meeting between the two sides as RSL looks to avenge a 4-2 defeat to the Loons on April 1.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
SAC – Trevin Caesar (Danny Barrera) 30th minute: A second ball dumped into the box near midfield found Sacramento midfielder Danny Barrera at the back post. Barrera headed the ball back across the face of goal where Caesar tagged a first time shot into the back of the net past RSL goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez.
RSL – Ricardo Velazco (Omar Holness) 35th minute: A defensive effort at midfield gave RSL a break toward goal as RSL midfielder Omar Holness found Velazco. Velazco made space for himself to fire a shot into the bottom corner of the Sacramento net.
SAC – Augustin Cazarez (Danny Barrera) 43rd minute: After a cleared corner kick, Sacramento picked up the second ball and curled it in towards the near post. Cazarez was there at the near post to deflect a glancing header into the far side netting.
SAC – Jeremy Hall (Penalty) 45th+1 minute: A James Moberg foul in the area led to a Republic penalty just before the halftime break. Hall stepped up and sent RSL goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez the wrong way for the goal.
SAC – Danny Barrera (James Kiffe) 71st minute: Republic defender James Kiffe sprung forward and crossed the ball into the box to find the head of Danny Barrera right on the top of the six-yard box. Barrera nodded home the easy header to create breathing room between Sacramento and RSL.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RSL – Lalo Fernandez, 1st minute: An early chance from Republic saw the Sacramento attack get in behind the RSL defense with a shot on goal but Fernandez was there to collect easily for his first save of the game.
RSL – James Moberg, 58th minute: A whipped in cross from Sacramento forced the RSL to defend in their own six-yard box. Moberg did well to get a strong, clearing header to the ball to send it away from danger.
RSL – Max Lachowecki, 60th minute: A quick 3v1 chance for Sacramento put RSL into a tough position trying to force a giveaway. Lachowecki timed a tackle in the box perfectly as his challenge poked the ball away and out of danger.
RSL – James Moberg, 77th minute: Republic midfielder Tyler Blackwood caught onto a through ball into the box as RSL goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez came off his line to try and smother the chance. Blackwood tried to chip the ball up and over the onrushing goalkeeper but Moberg was there to knock the ball away from danger and out for a corner kick.
SAC – Emrah Klimenta, 90th minute: A mishandled ball from Republic goalkeeper Evan Newton forced the Sacramento defense into a scramble. The ball fell to the feet of RSL forward Ricardo Velazco who’s first time blast was blocked by Klimenta and out for a corner kick.
NOTES:
- RSL called up eight players from Real Monarchs to play in the Open Cup against Sacramento. GK Connor Sparrow, DF’s Max Lachowecki, James Moberg, Michael Gallagher and Kyle Curinga, MF Nick Besler and FWs Andrew Brody and Daniel Haber were all in the 18 in Sacramento.
- With a first-half strike, RSL midfielder Ricardo Velazco notched his first goal in an RSL uniform across all competitions.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Sacramento Republic FC
Date: June 14, 2017
Venue: Papa Murphy’s Park; Sacramento, California
Attendance: 11,569
Weather: Sunny and 84 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Sacramento Republic 3 1 4
SAC – Trevin Caesar (Danny Barrera) 30’
RSL – Ricardo Velazco (Omar Holness) 35’
SAC – Augustin Cazarez (Danny Barrera) 43’
SAC – Jeremy Hall (PK) 45’+1
SAC – Danny Barrera (James Kiffe) 71’
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake (4-2-3-1): Lalo Fernandez; Reagan Dunk (Andrew Brody 82’), James Moberg, Justin Schmidt, Max Lachowecki; Omar Holness, Nick Besler; Sebastian Saucedo, José Hernández (Daniel Haber 67’), Jordan Allen (Brooks Lennon 46’); Ricardo Velazco.
Subs note used: Connor Sparrow, Michael Gallagher, Kyle Curinga, Luke Mulholland
Sacramento: (4-4-2): Evan Newton; James Kiffe, Chris Christian, Emrah Klimenta, Elliott Hord; Tyler Blackwood (Christian Chaney 87’), Augustin Cazarez, Jeremy Hall, Danny Barrera; Harry Williams (Gabe Gissie 85’), Trevin Caesar (Wilson Kneeshaw 67’)
Subs not used: Dominik Jakubek, Peter McGlynn, Sammy Ochoa, Lamin Suma
Stats Summary: SAC/RSL
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Corner Kicks: 8 / 5
Offside: 4 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
SAC – Harry Williams (caution) 19’
SAC – Danny Barrera (caution) 69’
Officials
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistants: Eric Ehrhardt, Sarah Cortez
Fourth Official: Matthew Buckman
