Wednesday, October 2, 7:30 pm @ Papa Murphy's Park TV: None Stream: ESPN+ Standings Preview (from SRFC website) SRFC Republic FC (13-12-5, 44 pts) still have full control over a first-round playoff home game despite dropping Saturday’s contest, 2-1, to El Paso Locomotive FC at a rain-soaked Papa Murphy’s Park. Through 30 matches, Simon Elliott’s men are in seventh-place in the Western Conference but if his side can manage to win out, Sacramento will claim at least fourth-place and host a postseason match come late-October. Republic FC currently have a game in hand on Austin Bold (5th, 46 pts) and have upcoming matches against Orange County (6th, 45 pts) and Real Monarchs (4th, 46 pts). After weather delays caused by torrential rain and hail, the boys in Old Glory Red took the early lead in the 14th minute through Thomas Enevoldsen. Forward Stefano Bonomo headed across goal a Jaime Villarreal cross that defender Matt Mahoney nodded just enough on target that the Danish striker was able to finish from close range. The goal was Enevoldsen sixth in eight matches with the Indomitable Club. Locomotive FC equalized early in the second half through Bryam Rebellon before Josue Gomez gave the visitors the lead in extra time. Saturday’s result came as a surprise given the hosts had a handful of solid scoring chances and outshot El Paso 19 to 10. With the game still tied 1-1, SRFC’s best second half chances to take the lead came when Keven Aleman struck the post in the 57th minute and Cameron Iwasa crushed the crossbar ten minutes later. _________________________________________________________________ LA Galaxy II LA Galaxy II (11-9-10, 43 pts) have surged into playoff contention after a slow start to the season. Since Junior Gonzalez took over as head coach in July, his side are 5-3-2 and 3-1-1 over their last five matches. Through 30 games, Los Dos are in eighth-place in the Western Conference and if the season ended today, the Southern California club would host a play-in playoff game. In their most recent match, LA blew by OKC Energy FC 5-1 after trailing 1-0 to open the contest. Prior to the demolition of OKC, Los Dos were typically the first team to find the scoresheet and had struck first in four of their previous five matches. Anchoring the front line for LA this season has been Kai Koreniuk whose nine goals leads the team. Ethan Zubak and Augustine Williams each have seven scores between the two on the year. Brian Iloski and Jose Hernandez share the team-lead in assists with four apiece. The Los Dos offense has been consistent for much of the season but the same can not be said for the defense. LA has allowed 56 goals this season, fourth-most in the Western Conference. The SoCal club has also conceded 467 fouls this season, second-most in the entire league. aturday’s result came as a surprise given the hosts had a handful of solid scoring chances and outshot El Paso 19 to 10. __________________________________________________________________ Head-to-head It was a Koreniuk first half goal in August that proved to be the difference when Republic FC visited Los Dos in August. LA took the match 1-0, despite the boys in Old Glory Red outshooting and out possessing the hosts on the night. The Indomitable Club are looking to break the all-time series deadlock against Los Dos at home after posting a 4-4-2 record from ten league clashes. The last time SRFC beat Galaxy II in Sacramento was a 2-1 come-from-behind win in September of 2017 with Villyan Bijev netting the game-winner in the 61st minute after Luis Espino fired home a 26th minute equalizer. Republic FC midfielder Jaime Villarreal will be up against his old club on Wednesday night. The Inglewood native played for LA Galaxy II from 2014-2016 (61 appearances) and joined the senior team in 2017 (seven appearances).
I'd go in depth, but it's not necessary. We required an 89th minute goal to avoid a home loss to Los Dos. #ElliottOut #DunivantOut
I think we showed a lack of speed tonight. When Barahona was subbed and McCrory swapped sides, things settled down. I think we miss Shannon Gomez. I like Mahoney on the outside better than centered, too.