LAFC vs. Sacramento Republic FC | 2018 US Open Cup Match Preview

Dylan Butler

LAFC vs. Sacramento Republic FC
2018 U.S. Open Cup - Round of 16
Banc of California Stadium - Los Angeles
June 20 - 10:30 pm ET

After defeating Fresno FC, 2-0, in the Fourth Round, LAFC are hoping to extend their inaugural U.S .Open Cup run when they face USL side Sacramento Republic FC, which defeated Seattle Sounders FC, 2-1.

It was the second consecutive year Sacramento Republic knocked off an MLS team, after beating Real Salt Lake, 4-1, a year ago. The teams met in the preseason with LAFC winning 1-0 on a Joao Moutinho goal.

LAFC

Diego Rossi and Latif Blessing scored three minutes apart in the second half as LAFC defeated Fresno FC out of the USL for their first USOC victory.

Three days later, LAFC went to Avaya Stadium and came away with a wild 4-3 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Adama Diomande scored a pair of goals and Steven Beitashour and Moutinho added one goal apiece as LAFC rallied to score twice in the waning moments to snatch a near-improbable win.

“Some nights are just crazy,” Bob Bradley said after the game. “You want the football to be great all the time. Tonight it sure wasn’t, but it’s still great to see a bunch of guys keep going. Joao has had some ups and downs, but he’s a young player that we think highly of. To see him score and get a winner is fantastic. Every one of the players came in with a big smile, but also saying ‘man, we were terrible.’”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: F - Marco Urena, F - Carlos Vela, D - Laurent Ciman, M - Omar Gaber
Injury Report: OUT: GK - Luis Lopez (right tibial stress fracture)

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: Tyler Miller — Tristan Blackmon, Dejan Jakovic, Walker Zimmerman, Jordan Harvey — Eduard Atuesta — Aaron Kovar, Lee Nguyen, Calum Mallace, Latif Blessing — Adama Diomande

Notes: With his assist on Moutinho’s stoppage-time winner, Lee Nguyen became the 20th player in MLS history to enter the 50-50 club. He has 51 goals and 50 assists in 197 matches. Portland’s Diego Valeri and Federico Higuain from Columbus Crew SC are the only other active MLS players on the list.

Sacramento Republic FC

Cameron Iwasa scored what appeared to be the winner for Sacramento Republic, but Harry Shipp leveled for Seattle in the first minute of stoppage time, sending the match into extra time. Five minutes before a penalty kick shootout, Jure Matjasic scored the decisive goal.

Sacramento Republic returned to league play to draw Phoenix Rising FC, 0-0, defeat Fresno FC, 1-0 and most recently fell to San Antonio FC, 1-0, on Saturday despite having a 37-8 advantage in shots.

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report:

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-2-1-2, right to left)
GK: Josh Cohen — Shannon Gomez, Carlos Rodriguez, Mitchell Taintor, Justin Schmidt — Jeremy Hall — Elliot Hord, Villyan Bijec — Adam Moffat — Cameron Iwasa, Wilson Kneeshaw

Notes: This is the sixth all-time meeting against an MLS team in USOC play for Sacramento Republic FC, who are 2-3 with wins over Seattle and Real Salt Lake and two losses to San Jose Earthquakes and one defeat against the LA Galaxy in the Round of 16 a year ago — their deepest Cup run.