Sacramento Republic FC kick off 2019 USL with a tie against Real Monarchs SLC

Defender Shannon Gomez advancing the ball during the 2019 USL season opener of the Sacramento Republic FC against the Real Monarchs SLC at Papa Murphy’s Park on March 9, 2019. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.

By Macy Membrere and Jason Tajima
EBC Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO, California (Eagle News) — The 2019 United Soccer League (USL) regular season officially kicked off for the Sacramento Republic FC and Real Monarchs SLC. Team captain Cameron Iwasa of Sac Republic made a plea to the crowd before the start of the match, saying “We come out for you every night. Keep bringing the noise!”

In the past, the Republic FC and Real Monarchs have played close matches. Tonight’s match was no different with the new head coach, Martin Vasquez, leading Real Monarchs SLC.

In the first half of the match, both teams had many attempts at a goal. At the 11th minute, a yellow card was issued to Cameron Iwasa of Sac Republic. At the 25th minute, a yellow card was issued to Michael Chang of Real Monarchs for a foul on Stefano Bonomo of Sac Republic.

Jake Blaek of Real Monarchs SLC scored the first goal of the night at the 35th minute by from a penalty kick, ending the first half with a score of 1-0 in Real Monarchs’ favor.

In the second half, Sac Republic goalie Cohen made a miraculous save at the 76th minute of the game. Sac Republic then fired back with another goal attempt but missed a great opportunity to tie the game. A yellow card was issued to Ricardo Avila of the Real Moncarchs at the 79th minute of the game. Finally, at the 81st minute of the game, a goal was scored by Sac Republic’s Haris Chantzopoulos assisted by Sam Warner.

This was Ray Saari’s first game with the Sac Republic FC and although the result wasn’t ideal, he looks ahead by saying, “Three points would have been great, but I think we’ll take the one point and head to Colorado next week.”

In the post-game interview, Sac Republic FC Head Coach Simon Elliott summed up the game by saying, “It was a good second half, but it wasn’t a good game.”

The season opener for both Sacramento  Republic FC and Real Monarch SLC ended with a tie: 1-1.

Display monitors at Papa Murphy’s park before the game. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

Republic FC, Real Monarch SLC and the game officials take their place on the field for the National Anthem. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

Real Monarch’s form a wall to prevent a free kick from the Republic FC. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

Both teams anticipating the throw-in, to continue play. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.
Republic FC’s #6, Haris Chantzopoulos scored the team’s only goal for the night. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.
Midfielder Ray Saari’s first post-game with the Republic FC. Photo by Angel Membrere, EBC Sacramento Bureau, Eagle News Service.

 

(Eagle News Service)