Defender Chris Christian joined Sacramento Republic FC during the 2015-2016 offseason, but the 27-year-old New Jersey native has already made an impact for Republic FC, especially in winning balls in the air, and helped keep Seattle Sounders FC 2 scoreless in Republic FC’s 1-0 road win on Friday, Mar. 25.
Christian was named to the USL Team of the Week in the first round of honors for the season for his standout defensive performance on Friday. In addition to shutting out S2, Republic FC held their opponents to a lone shot on goal out of their eight shots. For those efforts, Christian was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2016 season.
Defender Chris Christian joined Sacramento Republic FC during the 2015-2016 offseason, but the 27-year-old New Jersey native has already made an impact for Republic FC, especially in winning balls in the air, and helped keep Seattle Sounders FC 2 scoreless in Republic FC’s 1-0 road win on Friday, Mar. 25.
Christian was named to the USL Team of the Week in the first round of honors for the season for his standout defensive performance on Friday. In addition to shutting out S2, Republic FC held their opponents to a lone shot on goal out of their eight shots. For those efforts, Christian was named to the USL Team of the Week for Week 1 of the 2016 season.
“I think playing alongside me has done him well in preseason. He’ll probably move on to bigger and better things if he keeps playing next to me. That’s the way it goes,” joked fellow center back Derek Foran, who anchored the backline with Christian in Friday’s match.
“In all seriousness though, I’m delighted for him, he really deserved it and worked hard.”
Christian, who started in the left center back role for Republic FC, has quickly gelled with his teammates, especially the backline after joining the club in the offseason. He spent time last season with Western Conference opponents Colorado Switchbacks FC.
A large part of Christian being awarded Team of the Week was due to the togetherness on the pitch on Friday. This togetherness led to a win and shutout, and was due to the team’s family philosophy, communication and teamwork.
“We were really organized. Christian and the rest of the backline did a great job of covering for each when needed. We were always on the alert and ready to go. We communicate a lot on the defensive side, and it really showed in the match,” said goalkeeper Dom Jakubek about Friday’s performance. “We have a really strong bond and we have a great core group…everyone wants to work for each other.”
Christian was joined on the USL Team of the Week by goalkeeper Scott Goodwin (Louisville City FC), defenders Ryan Ritcher (Bethlehem Steel FC) and Taylor Mueller (Charleston Battery), midfielders Logan Miller (Wilmington Hammerheads FC), Yudai Imura (Richmond Kickers), Kevin Oliveira (Swope Park Rangers) and Carlos Martinez (Tulsa Roughnecks FC), and forwards Miguel Gonzalez (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC), Ariel Lassiter (LA Galaxy II) and Brandon Allen (New York Red Bulls II).
For more on Team of the Week, visit USLSoccer.com.
“I think playing alongside me has done him well in preseason. He’ll probably move on to bigger and better things if he keeps playing next to me. That’s the way it goes,” joked fellow center back Derek Foran, who anchored the backline with Christian in Friday’s match.
“In all seriousness though, I’m delighted for him, he really deserved it and worked hard.”
Christian, who started in the left center back role for Republic FC, has quickly gelled with his teammates, especially the backline after joining the club in the offseason. He spent time last season with Western Conference opponents Colorado Switchbacks FC.
A large part of Christian being awarded Team of the Week was due to the togetherness on the pitch on Friday. This togetherness led to a win and shutout, and was due to the team’s family philosophy, communication and teamwork.
“We were really organized. Christian and the rest of the backline did a great job of covering for each when needed. We were always on the alert and ready to go. We communicate a lot on the defensive side, and it really showed in the match,” said goalkeeper Dom Jakubek about Friday’s performance. “We have a really strong bond and we have a great core group…everyone wants to work for each other.”
Christian was joined on the USL Team of the Week by goalkeeper Scott Goodwin (Louisville City FC), defenders Ryan Ritcher (Bethlehem Steel FC) and Taylor Mueller (Charleston Battery), midfielders Logan Miller (Wilmington Hammerheads FC), Yudai Imura (Richmond Kickers), Kevin Oliveira (Swope Park Rangers) and Carlos Martinez (Tulsa Roughnecks FC), and forwards Miguel Gonzalez (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC), Ariel Lassiter (LA Galaxy II) and Brandon Allen (New York Red Bulls II).
For more on Team of the Week, visit USLSoccer.com.
