Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, Real Monarchs 3

Republic FC dominated the scoring chances department in the first 25 minutes of the match. Forward Adam Jahn had the first scoring chance for Republic FC in the 10th minute when he sprinted past the defense and onto a dangerous through ball from midfielder Octavio Guzman. Jahn was able to flick the ball past oncoming Real Monarchs keeper Eduardo Fernandez, but still had to beat two defenders. Jahn fought off one defender and sent a shot at the goal but could not find the far post as the shot rolled wide and out of play.

Real Monarchs nearly scored in the 27th minute when midfielder Maikon Orellana got on the end of a looping cross. Republic FC keeper Dominik Jakubek had to come off his line to deal with the cross but could not get a glove to the ball. Orellana barely got a touch to the ball as he sent it back across the face of the wide open net, but it rolled all the way to defender Kip Colvey who was able to clear the ball away, keeping the match scoreless into the break.

Republic FC broke the tie in the 54th minute when forward Cameron Iwasa was fouled just outside the box on the left wing. Midfielder Danny Barrera then stepped up to send a left-footed, out-swinging free kick into the box. Defender Mike da Fonte beat his marker to the ball and drilled a header past Fernandez and into the back of the net. The goal marks consecutive games that da Fonte has scored for Republic FC and the assist marks the fourth consecutive game Barrera has assisted a goal, extending his own club record.

Barrera added to the score line with some more set-piece magic in the 57th minute. The Republic FC captain sent a left-footed, in-swinging free-kick from the right wing. The free-kick inexplicably sailed through a parade of bodies and Fernandez could not find the ball in the chaos. The ball ended up in the side of the net for the 2-0 lead for Republic FC.

Real Monarchs pulled one back in the 72nd minute thanks to a wonder strike from captain Ricardo Velazco. The midfielder found space on the left wing and sent a right-footed curling shot from just outside the box. Jakubek tried to get a glove to the shot as he dove to his left but Velazco’s strike was perfectly placed as it got up and over Jakubek and into the upper corner of the net, making the score 2-1.

Velazco would help pull the Monarchs even in the 82nd minute when he sent a flicked through ball header past the defense. Second-half substitute forward Kevaughn Frater ran onto the ball and sent a one-time, left-footed side-volley on goal. Frater’s shot sailed past Jakubek and into the back of the net for the equalizer.

The Monarchs would get the deciding goal in stoppage time. Velazco was the aggressor again for the visitors as he attacked up the left wing. He cut inside and sent a shot on goal, with Republic FC defender Derek Foran marking him. Foran attempted to use his head to block the shot away, but instead deflected the ball into the back of the net for a stoppage-time own goal to decide the match.

“Any loss is hard to take”, said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle after the defeat. “In football, as we all know, you don’t always get what you deserve. We didn’t deserve that. It’s important now that we start another good run.”

Republic FC will begin a stretch of five straight road matches when they travel to Orange County to take on Orange County Blues FC on Sunday, July 10. Kickoff is 4 p.m. The match will be streamed at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.

Sacramento Republic FC 2:3 Real Monarchs
USL Match
Bonney Field – Sacramento, CA
July 6, 2016 – Attendance: 11,569 (sellout)

Scoring Summary: SRFC – Mike da Fonte (Danny Barrera) 53, Danny Barrera 58, Derek Foran (own goal) 90; SLC – Ricardo Velazco 72, Kevaughn Frater (Ricardo Velazco) 82

Misconduct Summary: SLC – Max Lachowecki (caution) 38, Phanuel Kavita (caution) 66, Elder Torres (caution) 79

Real Monarchs – Eduardo Fernandez; Phanuel Kavita, Emilio Orozco, Max Lachowecki (Jonathan Caparelli 64), Alec Sundly, Ricardo Velazco, Maikon Orellana, Elder Torres, Frederick Amankona (Darion Copeland 86), Tyler Arnone (Andrew Brody 80), Colin Rolfe (Kevaughn Frater 75).

Subs Not Used: Connor Sparrow, Eti Tavares, Edgar Duran.

Stats: Shots: 9, Shots on Goal: 4, Saves: 2, Fouls: 18, Corner Kicks: 3, Offside: 2.

Sacramento Republic FC – Dominik Jakubek; James Kiffe, Derek Foran, Mike da Fonte, Kip Colvey; JJ Koval, Octavio Guzman (Mackenzie Pridham 90), Cameron Iwasa, Danny Barrera; Harry Williams (Agustin Cazarez 71), Adam Jahn (Tommy Thompson 77).

Subs Not Used: Evan Newton, Alfonso Motagalvan, Joaquin Rivas, Max Alvarez.