» SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC WIN WITH STOPPAGE-TIME GOAL
SACRAMENTO — Sacramento Republic FC coach Mark Briggs challenged his team ahead of Sunday’s game against Reno 1868 to be competitive and fight after back-to-back ties to open up the 2020 season.
Briggs said Wednesday at the club’s practice a 1-0 win would satisfy him. He knew his team could score plenty of goals but he wanted to see the defensive intensity stepped up.
He got what he wanted, a taut 1-0 win over Reno.
“I spoke earlier this week (on what I wanted to see) from the guys — they delivered,” Briggs said. “I would’ve liked it to be a little bit easier and them to finish some more of their chances. What better way to score in the 90th minute and to get a 1-0 lead and show the tenacity, the focus and the fight that I asked for. Credit to the players, they turned it up tonight and did everything I asked for.”
Republic forward Cameron Iwasa checked into the game in the 63rd minute and in stoppage time, delivered on a penalty kick after a handball in the box to secure Sacramento’s first three points of the season.
“To get the first win of the season is huge,” Iwasa said. “For me, it’s always about having composure and not let the moment get ahead of you. I tried to stay in the moment and slow things down (during that kick) as much as I could and I was able to slot it away.”
Republic controlled much of the flow of the game, tallying 22 shots and seven shots on goal while Reno managed to force Sacramento goalie Adam Grinwis to make just one save.
It’s the first win of the Mark Briggs era in Sacramento. The Indomitable Club now sits atop the Group A standings with five points, ahead of Reno’s three points.
Capitalizing on opportunities
Making the most of an opportunity given was a theme in Sunday’s game. Most notable was Iwasa, who didn’t make the start for Sacramento but delivered in the game’s biggest moment.
Sac Republic’s 15-yearold midfielder Rafael Jauregui made his first USL appearance in the 89th minute. He became the youngest player in the team’s history to appear in a regular-season game.
“When you are a young player you need opportunity,” Briggs said of Jauregui. “Rafa has trained with us the last three weeks every single day. To be fair to him, he has held his own. He’s done very well. He shows that if you are good enough, you are old enough. He’s going to get more opportunities. This is the first step on the ladder for him.
When Jauregui checked into the match, he felt the nerves, but he was composed. His critical minutes at the end of the game helped the Republic get the win.
His family watched him check-in from the Cal Expo levee behind the south goal. He said it gave him a major confidence boost knowing he had his family’s support.
“Today was a great experience,” Jauregui said. “All the cheering (my family did) felt good. It reassured me I was here for a reason and the end result tonight made it even better. Of course, I was very nervous. get nervous with every game, even the academy ones. This game was double that. It was nervewracking but once you get your first touch, the nerves go away and you get focused.”
On the Reno side, Sacramento native Benjamin Kikanovic checked into his first professional game in the 69th minute. Kikanovic graduated from Antelope High School and played soccer for two years at Sacramento State before signing with Reno earlier this year.
Building on the Reno win
There were lots of smiles after Sac Republic beat Reno.
Players celebrated, coaches hugged and Levee Patrol FFC looked on from the south side of the Cal Expo levee with excitement. There are no fans allowed inside Papa Murphy’s Park, but the Levee Patrol made their presence felt.
“It’s amazing (seeing the fans up on the levee),” Lopez said. “We have great fans. They are the best fans in the league no doubt. To see them support us every game, especially today means a lot to us. We knew we owed the city and fans a victory.”
Sac Republic will hit the road for the first time this season Saturday against LA Galaxy ll. The team believes the performance against Reno is something that can be built on.
“Three points is three points — (tonight) is something to build on,” Iwasa said. “We are looking forward to next weekend (against LA Galaxy ll.)
Sac Republic FC Upcoming Schedule
July 25 @ LA Galaxy ll, 7 p.m.
July 29 vs. Orange County FC, 8 p.m.
Aug. 1 @ San Diego Loyal SC, 5 p.m.
Aug 8. @ Portland Timbers 2, 7 p.m
Aug. 12 @ Reno 1868, 7:30 p.m.