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Gameday Report: Missed penalty decisive as Republic FC held by New Mexico

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/05/22, 12:01AM EDT

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Lopez’s shot over with three minutes to go leaves teams scoreless at Heart Health Park

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC played to a second consecutive draw on home turf as a late penalty kick miss by Rodrigo Lopez proved crucial in a 0-0 draw against New Mexico United at Heart Health Park on Wednesday night.

New Mexico almost grabbed a stunning opener in the fourth minute when Tabort Etaka Preston tried to catch Sacramento goalkeeper Danny Vitiello off his line from 40 yards but sent his looping half-volley just wide of the right post. Vitiello was also caught out in the 19th minute as he misjudged a long ball upfield and was unable to clear, giving Neco Brett a chance to finish that a covering Dan Casey cleared to safety for the hosts. Republic FC, meanwhile, didn’t create many chances before the break but did carve out a big opportunity a minute before halftime when a beautiful passing move saw Lopez set up Duke Lacroix in the left side of the penalty area only for the left back to shoot over the crossbar.

Preston threatened again for the visitors as the game moved into stoppage time in the first half as he struck a shot from 20 yards that Vitiello parried away, while Chris Wehan also forced a low save in the 65th minute with a shot from the top-right edge of the penalty area. Sacramento’s Matt LaGrassa went close, too, with a rasping shot from 25 yards that was saved by New Mexico’s Ford Parker as it dipped under the crossbar with 15 minutes to go.

Republic FC had another chance three minutes later when Emil Cuello controlled a ball over the top by Lopez but was unable to lift his finish from 20 yards past Parker, but with three minutes to go the hosts got the chance to claim the lead from the spot as Luther Archimede was brought down in the penalty area by Parker on a one-on-one opportunity. Lopez stepped up to the spot, but shot over the crossbar, and while both teams tried to find a late winner as the game got stretched, none was forthcoming as the game ended all square.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Dan Casey, Sacramento Republic FC – Casey had a solid performance defensively, winning 2 of 2 duels and making seven recoveries while also completing 20 of 28 passes for the hosts.

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