Republic FC defeats Seattle Sounders FC 2 in USL opener

Tommy Stewart scored on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek made two strong plays late as Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC 2, 1-0 in a USL opener Friday night in Tukwila, Wash.

Stewart put his shot past Seattle goalkeeper Charlie Lyon into the lower-right corner of the net. The penalty kick came after Seattle’s Tony Alfaro pulled down Adam Jahn in the box.

Jakubek made a strong reaction play and smothered a deflected shot by Aaron Kovar in the 76th minute and snagged a Dylan Remick cross a few feet in front of a wide-open Darwin Jones in the 82nd minute.

The Sounders 2 took advantage of their Major League Soccer side having a bye week. Nine players from Seattle’s top team started on loan for the Sounders 2.

Republic FC countered with San Jose Earthquakes loan players Jahn and Tommy Thompson, who had a marvelous all-around game. Jahn played 81 minutes; Thompson was subbed in during stoppage time, just seconds before the game’s end.

Former Quakes midfielder JJ Koval made his first start as a Republic FC player after signing with the team earlier in the week. He helped anchor a strong defense.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 10:11 PM with the headline "Republic FC defeats Seattle Sounders FC 2 in USL opener."