SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Dariusz Formella had a goal and assist to lead Sacramento Republic FC to a 3-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC in the club’s home opener at Heart Health Park on Wednesday night. The win gave Sacramento its second consecutive win to start the 2021 season, and was its first win in a home opener since 2018.

An early free kick saw Las Vegas almost grab the lead as Bryce Duke slid a pass to a cutting Kwadwo Opoku who controlled with his first touch and then sent a bicycle kick just wide of the right post. Sacramento also went close as a chance for Kharlton Belmar was blocked behind by Las Vegas’ CC Uche, but in the 13th minute the hosts went ahead as Shannon Gomez delivered a sweeping pass in behind Light FC’s back line that allowed Formella to control and finish for his first goal of the season.

The sides continued to exchange chances as the half went on, and Lights FC almost leveled in the 17th minute only for Danny Musovski to drag a finish wide of the left post. Opoku also forced a good save from Sacramento goalkeeper Tomas Gomez midway through the half while Republic FC’s Petteri Pennanen rifled a shot just wide of the right post as Sacramento went to the break ahead.

Las Vegas drew level early in the second half, however, as Cal Jennings fired a low cross from the left intended for Musovski, who was pushed over as he drove toward the ball, resulting in a penalty kick. Musovski stepped up and fired low into the left corner, sending Gomez the opposite way. The visitors then went close to taking the lead on the hour-mark through Roberto Molina, but his shot from the right side of the penalty area was blocked away by Gomez.

Gomez’s save proved key five minutes later as Sacramento regained the lead on Tucker Bone’s second goal of the season. An attempted clearance by Las Vegas goalkeeper Tomas Romero that saw him collide with one of his defenders was quickly recycled by the hosts and Pennanen tried to fire on goal as Romero tried to scramble back into position. Pennanen’s shot was blocked by a defender, but it fell kindly for Bone to power home a first-time finish.

Republic FC then added to its lead with 18 minutes to go as Belmar slipped a pass between two defenders that allowed Formella to move into the right side of the penalty area. The Polish forward’s low ball through the six-yard area found Jaime Villarreal cutting in at the back post to put home Sacramento’s third of the night to seal all three points.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Dariusz Formella, Sacramento Republic FC – Formella put in a second consecutive strong display, notching a goal and assist while recording five key passes overall and winning 8 of 12 duels.

Scoring Summary
SAC – Dariusz Formella (Shannon Gomez) 13’
LV – Danny Musovski (Penalty Kick) 51’
SAC – Tucker Bone 65’
SAC – Jaime Villarreal (Dariusz Formella) 72’

Full Box Score