Sacramento Republic stays unbeaten in 7 straight amid Foster’s scoring outburst

Thanks to two goals in three minutes by substitute Maalique Foster in the second half, Sacramento Republic escaped Seaside with their winning streak intact, beating Monterey Bay FC 2-1 Saturday night.

After falling behind a goal early in the game, the tables quickly turned when head coach Mark Briggs brought on three substitutes, sensing that an injury-plagued Monterey team was going to break. His intuition proved correct.

In the 72nd minute, club captain Rodrido “RoRo” Lopez lifted a ball softly over the opposing back line onto the path of the speedy Jamaican, who quickly rifled home a shot that beat Monterey keeper Carlos Herrera on his far post.

Then, two minutes later, Republic won the ball back and it was Foster again who found himself in a dangerous area, rising highest in the box to head home a cross from right wingback Jack Gurr.

“(Maalique) has had a difficult time with us with little injuries and different things like that,” Briggs said. “But tonight, he came on and showed us his energy, movement and quality in front of goal. He showed everyone what he’s capable of … and I’m over the moon for him.”

“He’s been through hell but he’s come out on the other side and won us a game.”

Coming off an emotional win midweek which propelled them to the U.S. Open Cup semifinal for the first time in team history, there was concern about a hangover game against Monterey, which sits in the bottom of the conference standings.

In the first half, a poor tackle by defender Dan Casey put the ball onto the feet of Monterey forward Walmer Martinez, whose shot deflected off Republic’s Duke Lacroix for an own goal in the 32nd minute.

“First half, we had a bit of heavy legs and were obviously sluggish,” Briggs said. “I told the guys at halftime that being tired is just a mental thing. … ‘You’re not tired and you have more in your body to give.’ And in the second half, we got our wind and started to do the things that have made us get these results in the first place.”

Saturday’s victory elevated Republic FC to the fourth spot in the Western Conference, level on points with San Diego Loyal in third. It also extended Republic’s unbeaten streak to seven games (six wins and a tie) and the team continued its stingy defending, having only conceded four goals in their previous 11 matches.

“What coach said in the changing room (at halftime) pushed us, and the guys knew that we needed more,” Foster said. “We just fight for each other, that’s what’s happening.”

Game Notes

▪ Republic defender Jack Gurr continued his strong form by continually putting pressure on the right flank. From the wingback position, he took two shots and assisted on Foster’s game-winning goal.

▪ Although he’s established as the top goalkeeper, Danny Vitiello had two nervy moments: In the 13th minute, he was nearly caught out playing from the back. In the 74th, he also mistimed a block and left his goal wide open, only for defender Lee Desmond to clear the ball.

▪ Midfielder Keko remained out with a hamstring injury and will be reevaluated this week before the team travels to Colorado for a game against second-place Switchbacks on July 1.

This story was originally published June 25, 2022 at 12:00 AM.