SEATTLE, Washington (February 5, 2020) – Republic FC kicked off its first friendly of the 2020 preseason campaign this morning against the defending MLS Cup Champions, Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in a 120-minute exhibition match.
The final result of 6-2 may not have been the preferred outcome, but the encounter against one of the country’s best clubs provided invaluable experience for Mark Briggs’ men as they gear up for the 2020 USL Championship regular season which kicks off on March 7 at home against FC Tulsa.
SEATTLE, Washington (February 5, 2020) – Republic FC kicked off its first friendly of the 2020 preseason campaign this morning against the defending MLS Cup Champions, Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in a 120-minute exhibition match.
The final result of 6-2 may not have been the preferred outcome, but the encounter against one of the country’s best clubs provided invaluable experience for Mark Briggs’ men as they gear up for the 2020 USL Championship regular season which kicks off on March 7 at home against FC Tulsa.
Regardless of what the score line was, there were plenty of positives to take away from the contest. The Indomitable Club created a number of scoring opportunities against the reigning champs from the nation’s premier division and of the players who traveled with the club, each accumulated some crucial minutes against a top tier domestic opponent.
“That’s what it’s all about, getting minutes against the best team in the country,” Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs said following the friendly.
Regardless of what the score line was, there were plenty of positives to take away from the contest. The Indomitable Club created a number of scoring opportunities against the reigning champs from the nation’s premier division and of the players who traveled with the club, each accumulated some crucial minutes against a top tier domestic opponent.
“That’s what it’s all about, getting minutes against the best team in the country,” Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs said following the friendly.
Especially for Republic FC Academy standouts Aris Yang, Julian Chavez, Diego Ramos, former academy defender Hayden Sargis, who recently signed his first professional contract with the first team, and 15-year-old Rafael Jauregui who each logged valuable minutes against Seattle’s best starting eleven.
“For 75 minutes of the match, Seattle played their strongest team,” Coach Briggs said. “The young guys played well against Seattle’s strongest side and we got out of it what we needed. Everybody got minutes.”
The lengthy friendly allowed players to show coaches their current fitness levels, which look to be in solid shape given how young the season is.
Especially for Republic FC Academy standouts Aris Yang, Julian Chavez, Diego Ramos, former academy defender Hayden Sargis, who recently signed his first professional contract with the first team, and 15-year-old Rafael Jauregui who each logged valuable minutes against Seattle’s best starting eleven.
“For 75 minutes of the match, Seattle played their strongest team,” Coach Briggs said. “The young guys played well against Seattle’s strongest side and we got out of it what we needed. Everybody got minutes.”
The lengthy friendly allowed players to show coaches their current fitness levels, which look to be in solid shape given how young the season is.
“From a fitness standpoint, we’re ahead of the curve,” Coach Briggs said. “Today was about seeing the fitness levels that the players came in at and doing Seattle a favor with their Champions League match next week, 60 minutes was enough for us. Everybody played 60 minutes and we got out of the match what was to be expected.”
In the match, the hosts leaped out to an early 2-0 lead in the Pacific Northwest by way of Raul Ruidiaz in the 2nd minute and Harry Shipp in the 9th. USMNT standout Jordan Morris added a third in the 35th minute before the boys in Old Glory Red bagged a sensational strike in the 72nd minute by midfielder Sam Werner to make it 3-1. Defender Jordan McCrary, against his former club, whipped a ball towards the far post that Werner volleyed into the top corner.
“From a fitness standpoint, we’re ahead of the curve,” Coach Briggs said. “Today was about seeing the fitness levels that the players came in at and doing Seattle a favor with their Champions League match next week, 60 minutes was enough for us. Everybody played 60 minutes and we got out of the match what was to be expected.”
In the match, the hosts leaped out to an early 2-0 lead in the Pacific Northwest by way of Raul Ruidiaz in the 2nd minute and Harry Shipp in the 9th. USMNT standout Jordan Morris added a third in the 35th minute before the boys in Old Glory Red bagged a sensational strike in the 72nd minute by midfielder Sam Werner to make it 3-1. Defender Jordan McCrary, against his former club, whipped a ball towards the far post that Werner volleyed into the top corner.
Seattle forward Justin Dhillon netted his first goal of the friendly to lift Sounders FC to a 4-1 lead in the 78th minute before the Indomitable Club cut the deficit in half through forward Cameron Iwasa in the 96th. The Sacramento native pulled the ball back from the left-hand side, beat his defender and simply passed the ball into the back of the net. Dhillon bagged his brace one minute later before an Alex Roldan strike 20 minutes later sealed the 6-2 win for Seattle.
Next up for the boys in Old Glory Red is a closed-door exhibition friendly against regional rivals Reno 1868 FC on Saturday, February 15.
Seattle forward Justin Dhillon netted his first goal of the friendly to lift Sounders FC to a 4-1 lead in the 78th minute before the Indomitable Club cut the deficit in half through forward Cameron Iwasa in the 96th. The Sacramento native pulled the ball back from the left-hand side, beat his defender and simply passed the ball into the back of the net. Dhillon bagged his brace one minute later before an Alex Roldan strike 20 minutes later sealed the 6-2 win for Seattle.
Next up for the boys in Old Glory Red is a closed-door exhibition friendly against regional rivals Reno 1868 FC on Saturday, February 15.
Sacramento Republic FC 2-6 Seattle Sounders FC
Preseason Friendly
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
February 5, 2020
Sacramento Republic FC 2-6 Seattle Sounders FC
Preseason Friendly
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
February 5, 2020
Scoring Summary: SEA – Raul Ruidiaz 2, Harry Shipp 9, Jordan Morris 35, Justin Dhillon 78, Dhillion 97, Alex Roldan 117; SAC – Sam Werner 72, Cameron Iwasa 96.
Sacramento Republic FC starting XI– Adam Grinwis; Aris Yang (academy player), Juan Barahona, Dekel Keinan, Matt Mahoney; Jaime Villarreal, Rodrigo Lopez, Darek Formella, Julian Chavez (academy player), Kharlton Belmar; Khalid Balogun.
Sacramento Republic FC third period XI– Adam Grinwis; Jordan McCrary, Ashkanov Apollon, Hayden Sargis, Tomas Hilliard-Arce; Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Drew Skundrich, Villyan Bijev, Rafael Jauregui (academy player), Sam Werner; Cameron Iwasa.
Seattle Sounders FC starting XI– Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Shane O’Neill, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou; Gustav Svensson, Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp, Jordan Morris; Raul Ruidiaz.
Seattle Sounders FCthird period XI – Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan, Josh Atencio, Sam Rogers, Joevin Jones; Danny Leyva, Chris Hegardt, Shandon Hopeau, Handwalla Bwana, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez; Justin Dhillon.
Scoring Summary: SEA – Raul Ruidiaz 2, Harry Shipp 9, Jordan Morris 35, Justin Dhillon 78, Dhillion 97, Alex Roldan 117; SAC – Sam Werner 72, Cameron Iwasa 96.
Sacramento Republic FC starting XI– Adam Grinwis; Aris Yang (academy player), Juan Barahona, Dekel Keinan, Matt Mahoney; Jaime Villarreal, Rodrigo Lopez, Darek Formella, Julian Chavez (academy player), Kharlton Belmar; Khalid Balogun.
Sacramento Republic FC third period XI– Adam Grinwis; Jordan McCrary, Ashkanov Apollon, Hayden Sargis, Tomas Hilliard-Arce; Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Drew Skundrich, Villyan Bijev, Rafael Jauregui (academy player), Sam Werner; Cameron Iwasa.
Seattle Sounders FC starting XI– Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Shane O’Neill, Xavier Arreaga, Nouhou; Gustav Svensson, Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp, Jordan Morris; Raul Ruidiaz.
Seattle Sounders FCthird period XI – Stefan Cleveland; Alex Roldan, Josh Atencio, Sam Rogers, Joevin Jones; Danny Leyva, Chris Hegardt, Shandon Hopeau, Handwalla Bwana, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez; Justin Dhillon.
