SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Seattle Sounders FC 2 fell 2-0 to defending USL Champion Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field on Saturday night. Republic FC’s Tommy Stewart recorded a brace, scoring on either side of halftime to see his side through to a victory. With the loss, as well as an LA Galaxy II loss to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, S2 remains tied in first place in the USL Western Conference with 36 points (11-7-3).
Aaron Kovar earned a penalty for the Rave Green in the 30th minute after being brought down in the box by Republic FC’s Mickey Daly. Kovar put the ensuing effort just wide of the post and the game remained level at 0-0.
Six minutes later, Stewart scored his first of the match after receiving a long ball from Rodrigo Lopez down the right side of the pitch. Stewart dribbled to the top of the penalty area and slotted his shot low and to the left, beating a diving Charlie Lyon to make it 1-0 for the home side.
In the 75th minute, S2 captain Amadou Sanyang was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Sacramento’s Rodrigo Lopez. Republic FC and Stewart capitalized on the man-advantage after Stewart made a run and caught the S2 defense stepping into an offside trap. Lyon saved Stewart’s initial effort, but the striker was able to follow up his shot to find the empty net.
Sounders FC 2 next plays at home on August 8 against Whitecaps FC 2 (7:30 p.m. PT / SoundersFC.com). S2 is 1-1-1 against Vancouver, defeating the Canadian side 4-0 the last time the two clubs played at Starfire Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 2 |0-2| Sacramento Republic FC
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Venue: Bonney Field
Referee: Vincent Apple-Chiarella
Assistants: Chris Elliott, Eric Ehrhardt
Fourth Official: Michael Zapata
SCORING SUMMARY
SAC – Tommy Stewart (Rodrigo Lopez) 36’
SAC – Tommy Stewart 83’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA – Amadou Sanyang (ejection) 75’
SEA – Pablo Rossi (caution) 87’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Charlie Lyon, Ashani Fairclough, Jimmy Ockford (Nick Miele 46’), Damion Lowe, Giuliano Frano, Sam Garza (Lorenzo Ramos 77’), Amadou Sanyang, Aaron Long, Aaron Kovar (Duncan McCormick 46’), Vic Mansaray (Pablo Rossi 46’), Oalex Anderson
Substitutes not used: Saif Kerawala, Kasey French, Nate Tongovula
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 9
Offside: 0
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 6
Sacramento Republic FC – Patrick McLain, Emrah Klimenta, Mickey Daly, Nemanja Vuković, James Kiffe, Max Alvarez (Joaquin Rivas 46’), Danny Barrera (Adnan Gabeljic 90’), Ivan Mirković, Rodrigo Lopez, Octavio Guzman (Justin Braun 79’), Thomas Stewart (Gabe Gissie 84’)
Substitutes not used: Dominik Jakubek, Derek Foran, Kaleemullah
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 5
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 9
Saves: 3