USL Game Report

Saturday, April 18, 2015

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Republic FC won for the third time in as many matches, shutting out Portland Timbers 2, 3-0, in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,242 at Bonney Field on Saturday night.

Rodrigo Lopez, Mickey Daly and Zev Taublieb each scored a goal and Sacramento moved into first place in the Western Conference at 4-2-0 (12 points). Arizona United SC and Seattle Sounders FC 2 each lost their respective games on Saturday and sit at nine points.

Lopez opened the scoring with his league-leading fifth goal of the season in the 13th minute. Lopez took the ball from midfield to just outside the box before his low strike deflected off a sliding Harrison Delbridge and into the upper right corner.

Sacramento continued to apply pressure, with former Republic FC loan goalkeeper, Jake Gleeson the only thing keeping Republic FC from extending its lead, saving a strong attempt from midfielder Max Alvarez in the 16th minute.

Defender Mickey Daly doubled the lead for Sacramento in the 37th minute, heading in a lofted set piece from Lopez past a diving Gleeson.

T2’s best chance for a goal came in the 41st minute, with successive strikes by forward Fatawu Safiu testing Republic FC goalkeeper Patrick McLain for the first time. But, McLain stood strong keeping Republic FC ahead 2-0 at halftime.

Republic FC continued to control possession in the attacking third and almost put the game out of reach in the 64th minute as Octavio Guzman’s volley from an Alvarez corner kick sailed inches over the crossbar.

In the 82nd minute, rookie midfielder Taublieb scored his first professional goal when he sent a rebound past Gleeson, giving Republic FC a 3-0 lead.

Republic FC will be back in action again when it takes on Orange County Blues FC on Friday, April 24, at Bonney Field.