Republic FC shock top-seeded Real Monarchs SLC in first round of playoffs
Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton made two saves in a penalty-kick shootout to help secure a huge upset over Real Monarchs SLC, the top seed in the USL playoffs, on Friday night.
Evan Newton with a massive PK Save for @SacRepublicFC! #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/Bdopv3mCDs
— USL (@USL) October 21, 2017
Sacramento converted all three of its PK attempts from Hayden Partain, James Kiffe and Jeremy Hall, and Real Monarchs only got one past Newton in the Western Conference quarterfinal at Rio Tinto Stadium, where Republic FC had previously not won a match.
It look as if eighth-seeded Sacramento might get the job done in regulation, until a late penalty.
Republic FC led 1-0 after Luis Espino’s goal in the 49th minute on an assist from Wilson Kneeshaw. They led until the 86th minute, when Chandler Hoffman converted a penalty kick after Agustin Cazarez brought Max Lachowecki down in the box.
.@wilsonkneeshaw ➡️ @Luisespino16 ➡️ ⚽️#BringItHome pic.twitter.com/gWgJ3bXgIJ
— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) October 21, 2017
The teams went scoreless through 30 minutes of extra time to force the game to penalty kicks.
Republic FC’s West semifinal opponent will be the winner of Saturday’s match between the No. 4 Swope Park Rangers and No. 5 Phoenix Rising FC.
This story was originally published October 20, 2017 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Republic FC shock top-seeded Real Monarchs SLC in first round of playoffs."