Rafael Díaz’s third straight shutout helps Republic FC beat Reno to move into first place
For the first time since mid-July, Republic FC is back atop the Group A standings.
Sacramento traveled to Nevada on Wednesday night and knocked off previous first-place holders Reno 1868 FC 1-0 behind a Villyan Bijev penalty scored during first-half stoppage time. It was Bijev’s first goal of the season.
This is the second time Republic FC has beat Reno 1-0 this season. On July 19, Sacramento won on a penalty kick by Cameron Iwasa in second-half stoppage time.
Republic FC is now tied with Reno at the top of the Group A standings with 12 points each, but Sacramento holds the head-to-head tiebreaker 2-0.
Republic’s defense steps up
The man of the match Wednesday was goalkeeper Rafael Díaz.
Díaz was making his third consecutive start for Republic FC in place of injured starter Adam Grinwis and finished the match with his third consecutive clean sheet, recording five saves. Reno finished with 15 total shots, with five on target. Sacramento finished with eight shots, with four on target.
This week at training, Republic FC coach Mark Briggs had high praise for Díaz.
“He’s done great,” Briggs said Tuesday. “He’s been a calming presence for us. Unfortunately for Adam, he got injured – that’s soccer. Things happen and you get opportunities and you have to take those opportunities when they come. Rafa has grabbed it with both hands.”
It’s likely Díaz will be the starting keeper going forward. Before Wednesday’s match, the club announced Grinwis suffered a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus. The team didn’t announce a timeline for his return, but it’s likely Grinwis misses the rest of the season.
Defender Hayden Sargis was subbed out of the game at halftime for the first time all season. Dekel Keinan replaced Sargis and it marked his first appearance since the reboot against Tacoma Defiance on July 13. The back line of Sargis and company has been outstanding. Republic FC hasn’t allowed a goal in nearly 300 minutes and has recorded shutouts in four of the last five games.
Republic FC will look to keep that streak alive against Tacoma Defiance next at home on Saturday. The last game between Sacramento and Tacoma ended in a 3-3 draw, after Republic FC surrendered a 3-1 lead late in the second half.
Republic FC Upcoming Schedule
Aug. 15 vs. Tacoma Defiance, 8 p.m.
Aug. 22 vs. Portland Timbers 2, 8 p.m
Sept. 2 at Portland Timbers 2, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 vs. Reno 1868 FC, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Tacoma Defiance, 7:30 p.m.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Rafael Díaz’s third straight shutout helps Republic FC beat Reno to move into first place."