SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Khori Bennett scored early in the second half while Danny Vitiello posted a three-save shutout as Sacramento Republic FC took a 1-0 victory against the Charleston Battery at Heart Health Park to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs.

After threatening late in a quiet first half, Bennett gave Republic FC the lead five minutes after the halftime break. Jack Gurr’s back-post cross from the right found Lee Desmond, whose header to the top of the six-yard area was tapped home by the Jamaican forward for his fifth goal of the season.

The Battery’s chances were limited throughout the night, but with five minutes to play the visitors almost leveled as Cal Jennings headed just wide of the right post after Rubio Rubín headed a corner by Arturo Rodriguez goalward. Vitiello then came up with a crucial late save in the 90th minute, denying Rubín from close range to preserve the shutout and earn his side its first win since October 1.

Takeaways

Sacramento Republic FC: The hosts sealed the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with the victory, moving three points ahead of New Mexico United with a game to play while holding the head-to-head tiebreaker between the two clubs after sweeping the season series.

Charleston Battery: In the middle of a run of four games in 13 days to close the regular season, the Battery rotated heavily in their starting lineup, giving a first league start to 17-year-old Viggo Ortiz, but looked at their most dangerous late on as they pushed for an equalizer.

Key moment

Danny Vitiello preserved his league-leading 12th shutout of the season and the 58th of his career with a brilliant late save to deny Charleston’s Rubio Rubín a close-range equalizer.

Key stat

Sacramento Republic FC’s Danny Vitiello equaled Evan Newton and Alex Tambakis for the USL Championship all-time regular season lead with his 58th regular season shutout.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Danny Vitiello, Sacramento Republic FC – The standout stop-stopper made a key reflex save early off a corner kick and then ensured Republic FC closed out the result with his denial of Rubio Rubín in the 90th minute.

Scoring Summary
SAC – Khori Bennett (Lee Desmond) 50’