The boys in Old Glory Red recorded a riveting 4-3 win on Wednesday afternoon as Hirving Lozano snatched a 90th minute winner at the death over Indy Eleven – representing the Ivory Coast – to guide Mexico into Thursday’s Semifinal showdown against El Paso Locomotive FC – competing as Argentina – and a guaranteed spot in Division A next week.
The boys in Old Glory Red recorded a riveting 4-3 win on Wednesday afternoon as Hirving Lozano snatched a 90th minute winner at the death over Indy Eleven – representing the Ivory Coast – to guide Mexico into Thursday’s Semifinal showdown against El Paso Locomotive FC – competing as Argentina – and a guaranteed spot in Division A next week.
In charge of El Tri for the Quarterfinal contest against the Eastern Conference club was Justin Sterk, winner of the inaugural SRFCxFIFA20 Tournament, who was filling in last-minute for Juan Barahona. Even with the quick call-up, Sterk coolly slotted in and had his side looking lethal right from the opening kick.
In charge of El Tri for the Quarterfinal contest against the Eastern Conference club was Justin Sterk, winner of the inaugural SRFCxFIFA20 Tournament, who was filling in last-minute for Juan Barahona. Even with the quick call-up, Sterk coolly slotted in and had his side looking lethal right from the opening kick.
Nine minutes into the match, Sterk had Mexico in front by way of Raul Jimenez who netted his team-best seventh score of the campaign. Jesus Corona played a delicate ball into Jimenez who found plenty of space in the box and when he had possession, all the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker had to do was fire his right-footed shot by the visiting goalkeeper.
The Ivory Coast bagged an equalizer before the break in the 37th minute when an own goal snuck into Guillermo Ochoa’s net after an accidental deflection off Jesus Gallardo. But the African side continued to create chances and took their first lead of the match in the 52nd minute when Max-Alain Gradel lifted the Ivory Coast to a 2-1 advantage.
Nine minutes into the match, Sterk had Mexico in front by way of Raul Jimenez who netted his team-best seventh score of the campaign. Jesus Corona played a delicate ball into Jimenez who found plenty of space in the box and when he had possession, all the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker had to do was fire his right-footed shot by the visiting goalkeeper.
The Ivory Coast bagged an equalizer before the break in the 37th minute when an own goal snuck into Guillermo Ochoa’s net after an accidental deflection off Jesus Gallardo. But the African side continued to create chances and took their first lead of the match in the 52nd minute when Max-Alain Gradel lifted the Ivory Coast to a 2-1 advantage.
Three minutes later, Mexico managed to level the score when Rodolfo Pizarro rifled his close-range effort by the ‘keeper. Hector Herrera intercepted a pass at midfield and picked out Jesus Corona on the wing who immediately spotted a surging Jimenez in the box. The forward selflessly nudged the ball to an open Pizarro in a dangerous area who did everything but disappoint.
Three minutes later, Mexico managed to level the score when Rodolfo Pizarro rifled his close-range effort by the ‘keeper. Hector Herrera intercepted a pass at midfield and picked out Jesus Corona on the wing who immediately spotted a surging Jimenez in the box. The forward selflessly nudged the ball to an open Pizarro in a dangerous area who did everything but disappoint.
Pizarro was far from finished as the pesky midfielder continued to torment the Ivory Coast and in the 61st minute, the experienced playmaker scored his second of the match and gift Mexico a 3-2 lead. Corona snuck up behind his defender and stole possession before he laid the ball off to Pizarro at the top of the box who nestled another goal into the back of the net.
Indy Eleven’s Ivory Coast kept fighting and eventually found their second leveler of the match in the 77th minute when Gradel guided his second score of the game past Ochoa.
Pizarro was far from finished as the pesky midfielder continued to torment the Ivory Coast and in the 61st minute, the experienced playmaker scored his second of the match and gift Mexico a 3-2 lead. Corona snuck up behind his defender and stole possession before he laid the ball off to Pizarro at the top of the box who nestled another goal into the back of the net.
Indy Eleven’s Ivory Coast kept fighting and eventually found their second leveler of the match in the 77th minute when Gradel guided his second score of the game past Ochoa.
But the best was still yet to come. With the game inching towards the final whistle, Jimenez played a ball into space for Lozano to beat his man to and once the Napoli forward did, ‘Chucky’ fired the game-winner near-post to seal his side’s spot in tomorrow’s Semifinal match and a guaranteed place in next week’s Division A bracket.
But the best was still yet to come. With the game inching towards the final whistle, Jimenez played a ball into space for Lozano to beat his man to and once the Napoli forward did, ‘Chucky’ fired the game-winner near-post to seal his side’s spot in tomorrow’s Semifinal match and a guaranteed place in next week’s Division A bracket.
Tomorrow’s match be streaming live on the club’s Twitch stream, twitch.tv/SacramentoRepublicFC/, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. PT.
All fans following Republic FC’s eCup matches have the opportunity to donate to club partner Raley’s Food for Families, the charity the Indomitable Club will be representing throughout the virtual competition. Additional information about the eCup can be found on the official USL eCup: FIFA20 Edition page and the full schedule can be found on the eCup Schedule page.
Tomorrow’s match be streaming live on the club’s Twitch stream, twitch.tv/SacramentoRepublicFC/, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. PT.
All fans following Republic FC’s eCup matches have the opportunity to donate to club partner Raley’s Food for Families, the charity the Indomitable Club will be representing throughout the virtual competition. Additional information about the eCup can be found on the official USL eCup: FIFA20 Edition page and the full schedule can be found on the eCup Schedule page.
USL eCup FIFA20 Edition
Division B | Quarterfinals
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Venue: Estadio Azteca
USL eCup FIFA20 Edition
Division B | Quarterfinals
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Venue: Estadio Azteca
Justin’s Starting XI – Guillermo Ochoa; Jesus Gallardo, Nestor Araujo, Edson Alvarez, Luis Rodriguez; Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado©, Rodolfo Pizarro; Hirving Lozano, Jesus Corona, Raul Jimenez.
Scoring Summary – SAC – Raul Jimenez 9’, Rodolfo Pizarro 55’ 61’, Hirving Lozano 90’; IND – Jesus Gallardo (OG) 37’, Max-Alain Gradel 52’ 77’.
Justin’s Starting XI – Guillermo Ochoa; Jesus Gallardo, Nestor Araujo, Edson Alvarez, Luis Rodriguez; Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado©, Rodolfo Pizarro; Hirving Lozano, Jesus Corona, Raul Jimenez.
Scoring Summary – SAC – Raul Jimenez 9’, Rodolfo Pizarro 55’ 61’, Hirving Lozano 90’; IND – Jesus Gallardo (OG) 37’, Max-Alain Gradel 52’ 77’.
