Republic FC keeps Group A hopes alive with tie against Reno

Sacramento Republic FC’s slim chances to win Group A have still have life.

The Republic traveled to Reno to play rival Reno 1868 on Saturday night and left with a 1-1 tie. It extended Sac Republic’s unbeaten streak to 10 games, which is the second-most in club history.

Republic FC trails Reno by five points in the Group A standings. Both teams have two games each left in the regular season. In order for Republic FC to win the group, they will have to win out and will need Reno to lose its final two matches. Reno will have the tiebreaker for total wins, currently 10-7.

After allowing an early goal in the first five minutes the last three games, Sac Republic allowed its lone goal in the 44th minute. Reno led 1-0 at halftime.

Republic FC tied it in the 51st minute off a header by Dekel Keinan. It was his first goal of the season and third with the club.

The team was able to go undefeated against Reno this year in four regular season games. Republic FC played Saturday without defender Hayden Sargis in the lineup due to unknown reasons. It’s the first time he didn’t start this season. Same goes for captain Drew Skundrich, who started every match in 2020 prior to Saturday. Skundrich was a late scratch due to a “last-minute knock” according to the Sac Republic Twitter page. Replacing Skundrich in the lineup was Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu. He made his first appearance since August and went the full 90 minutes after suffering a high ankle sprain.

Sac Republic will play its final road game of the regular season Wednesday against Tacoma Defiance.

SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Sept. 30 at Tacoma Defiance, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs Portland Timbers 2, 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published September 27, 2020 at 8:27 AM.