Republic FC’s unbeaten streak ends with home loss to Reno
Republic FC’s stretch of seven straight USL matches without a loss came to an end Saturday night at the hands of Reno 1868 FC.
Playing host at Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacramento fell 2-1. The team is 1-2 against Reno this season, not including a 3-3 tie in a March preseason friendly.
Republic FC struck early with a 15th-minute goal by Hayden Partain, but Reno knotted the score just two minutes later off a Dane Kelly goal. Both were headers.
What a header! @hayden_partain gets his first goal as a pro with @SacRepublicFC #SACvRNO pic.twitter.com/lfTYRUXAk8
— USL (@USL) August 20, 2017
A Chris Wehan free kick past goalkeeper Evan Newton in the 22nd minute gave Reno a 2-1 advantage that the visitors held for the rest of the match.
A win would have propelled Republic FC past Reno to take the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings. The top four spots host USL first-round playoff matches. Instead, Sacramento stayed in the No. 5 spot.
Sacramento has a quick turnaround, hosting the Swope Park Rangers at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 19, 2017 at 10:16 PM with the headline "Republic FC’s unbeaten streak ends with home loss to Reno."