Sacramento Republic takes its best shot but settles for a tie with visiting Las Vegas

With time waning in Sacramento Republic’s game against Las Vegas on Saturday, the Quails pelted the Lights’ defense with shots and dangerous situations.

The score was tied 1-1 in extra time when Sacramento’s Rodrigo Lopez curled a corner kick into the penalty box. Emil Cuetto rose to meet it and blasted a header just over the crossbar. Las Vegas goalkeeper Tomas Romero laid on the ground, legs splayed out, taking a few breaths.

Sacramento dominated the second half but could never find the game-winner as the teams settled for a tie at Heart Health Park.

Even the Republic’s defenders got into the act. Center back Dan Casey scored Sacramento’s lone goal and had several other shots either stopped by Romero or they sailed a bit off-target. Casey smiled when he was asked about the last time he had that many attempts.

“It’s been a while,” he said. “I probably should have done better with one or two but I was happy to get a goal. That’s probably, when I’m watching the game, what I need to get better at, I want to score more goals, but I got one tonight so hopefully push on and try and get more this season. ...

“I think we probably lost two points because we were the better team tonight but we’ll have to watch the game back and then go from there.”

Casey had all of one goal last season as Republic’s offense stuttered throughout the year. His stepped-up production is by design from coach Mark Briggs. Casey was active on all 12 of Sacramento’s corner kicks, looking for an opportunity to get a foot or his head on the ball.

“He’s dangerous from set pieces,” Briggs said. “It’s been one of the things we spoke about with Dan. He’s got to be more effective when he’s up there and when he’s in the penalty box, and tonight I thought he was a threat.”

Las Vegas enjoyed a short stint at the start of the game where the Lights carried the play. That led to the Lights taking an early lead when Roberto Molina chipped in a loose ball from about 10 feet in front of the Sacramento net in the 17th minute.

From then on, Sacramento dominated play. Republic finished with 25 shots to Las Vegas’ seven; the Lights’ defense cleared 40 balls while Sacramento cleared just 10.

Republic midfielder Damia Viader said the team’s failure to capitalize at the end of the game left a bit of a bitter taste.

“I think we got a little frustrated at the end,” he said. “We’re creating chances but we couldn’t put the ball into the net. So we’ve got to keep our heads cool and take advantage of the spaces. But I think if we keep playing like this we’re gonna get more points.”

Scoring more goals has been the plan for Sacramento this season. The team averaged 1.125 goals a game in 2021, among the worst numbers in the league. The Republic averaged 1.5 goals a game entering Saturday night.

At practice Thursday, Briggs ran practice like a man unhappy with his offense’s finishing. Players hit a series of passes through a chain of teammates before one took a finishing shot at a tiny, unguarded goal. Then they rotated positions and did it again. And again. And again.

Briggs likes to set the bar high for his team. He yelled loudly at players, urgently asking them to put more zip on the ball, quicker passes and better strikes.

After the tie Saturday night, Briggs wasn’t frustrated, as is sometimes the case after a draw. Asked why, the coach said the team was executing his plans; it just didn’t work out.

“They’re trying to do the movements. The set pieces. The different phases of play. They’re trying to do the things that we’re asking of them and sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you want it to work out,” he said. “But it’s not going to be an easy road. You know this season is a long season and it’s not just going to be given to us. So we have to continue to work and continue to do the things that we know we can do and the results will come.”

The Republic, in sixth place in the Western Conference, will have another crack at a result they’re more happy with Wednesday night, when New Mexico comes to town for a 7 p.m. game.

This story was originally published May 1, 2022 at 7:31 AM.