Two Sacramento Republic players named to USL Championship Week 5 Team of the Week

Apr 9, 2024, 3:29 PM

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Isaiah J. Downing/Switchbacks FC

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The Sacramento Republic have been cooking through the first five weeks of the 2024 season, earning their flowers on a weekly basis now.

The USL Championship announced Tuesday that Sacramento Republic FC forward Russell Cicerone and defender Lee Desmond have been names to the Week 5 Team of the Week. Both starters were admirable in their recent 2-0 victory over over Colorado Switchbacks FC, extending their unbeaten run to five matches.

After captain Rodrigo Lopez earned Team of the Week accolades last week, two more Quails join him thanks to stellar play.

Shining bright in Week 5 ⭐@RussellCicerone and Lee Desmond earn @USLChampionship Team of the Week honors for their performances against Colorado Springs. 🔥

🔗 https://t.co/DvXoxDMS23 pic.twitter.com/zbb8rcwIVc

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 9, 2024

Cicerone was a key contributor in Sacramento’s hot start in Colorado last weekend, delivering his first assist of the new campaign in the fifth minute. The forward found Trevor Armann near the top of the 18-yard-box, giving him a clear shot to put the ball in the back of the net for the lead. Cicerone would later net a goal of his own, slotting it home in the 26th minute to give Sacramento a two-goal lead that thy would carry to the final whistle.

On the other end, Desmond carried a big load, leading the team with five clearances and three tackles on the way to a second consecutive clean sheet. Through the club’s first five matches, the Irishman is near the top of club stats with 14 clearances and 12 interceptions. He is one of four players to play every minute this season for Sacramento Republic.

The pair’s nomination marks the fourth and fifth time the Quails have earned Team of the Week honors in 2024. Republic goalkeeper Danny Vitiello has also been nominated for Week 5 Save of the Week for his heroics against Colorado Springs.

A goal and an assist from Russell Cicerone propelled @SacRepublicFC to a road win in Colorado Springs! 📹

📊 https://t.co/fQISQEydU6 pic.twitter.com/6ViO1oSdVN

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 7, 2024

The Indomitable Club have been on a heater as of late, remaining unbeaten in five-straight matches to start the 2024 campaign. Sacramento currently holds a share of the top spot in the Western Conference with 11 points total.

The Quails return to Heart Health Park Saturday, hosting Tulsa FC. Kickoff for Saturday’s match is set for 7:00 p.m. PT and the tickets are available now at SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets. The match will be broadcast live in English and Spanish on FOX40, Antenna TV 40.2 and streaming on FOX40.com, through the FOX40 News mobile app, and on ESPN+.