MLS
Sacramento Republic FC beats Oakland Roots SC in US Open Cup match
Apr 27, 2023, 11:44 AM
Dariusz Formella #9 of Oakland Roots dribbles past Luis Felipe #96 of Sacramento Republic and Conor Donovan #24 of Sacramento Republic during a 2023 U.S. Open Cup third round game between Sacramento Republic and Oakland Roots at Heart Health Park on April 26, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
(Photo by Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday defeated regional rival Oakland Roots SC 1-0 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup soccer tournament.
The U.S. Open Cup, which is also called the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, is the oldest competition in U.S. soccer, dating back to 1913. It’s similar to cup competitions in Europe where smaller clubs compete with those from the biggest teams. The winning club gets $300,000 and a berth in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League.
Last year, Republic beat three Major League Soccer teams before losing to a fourth, Orlando City SC, in the final.
On Wednesday, midfielder Nick Ross scored the game’s only goal in the 49th minute.
I meeeean 😍
What a strike from @nickrross91.
SAC 1 // 0 OAK | #USOC2023 pic.twitter.com/TbKqDB1NwH
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 27, 2023
Republic FC is unbeaten so far this year but was given a scare against Crossfire Redmond in the U.S. Open Cup by having to fight back against the lower-league team after being outscored in the first half and again in extra time. Republic FC went on to win 5-4 after 120 minutes of play.
In league play, Republic FC at this point in the season is at the top of its USL Championship standings with five wins and two draws.
In contrast, Oakland Roots is in 7th place in the USL Championship western conference with two wins, one draw and three losses.
Republic FC is now 6-0 when facing other USL Championship teams in the U.S. Open Cup.
They move on to the round of 32 in the US Open Cup where they’ll host the Colorado Rapids, an MLS team. The time and date will be announced at a later time.
This story was first published by KCRA.
