Republic FC falls to Kitsap Pumas in Cup shocker

The semipro Kitsap Pumas FC scored three second-half goals in a five-minute span to shock Republic FC 3-1 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night at Bonney Field.

The Pumas of Bremerton, Wash., will visit Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders on June 15.

The Pumas scored in the 60th, 63rd and 65th minutes on two goals by Javier Castro and one by Mike Ramos, who assisted on Castro’s first goal.

Republic FC briefly tied it 1-1 when Cameron Iwasa scored in the 61st minute.

The final 45 minutes were wild after an uneventful, scoreless first half.

The loss was the first in seven matches for Sacramento. It also marked the first time Republic FC fell in a third-round Open Cup match. Sacramento reached the fourth round the previous two seasons, losing both times to the San Jose Earthquakes, its MLS affiliate.

Republic FC’s best first-half opportunity came in the fifth minute when Iwasa, open in the penalty area, couldn’t find the frame on a nice cross by Emrah Klimenta. This was Klimenta’s first game since he spent a week and a half overseas playing for the Montenegro national team.

Republic FC goalkeeper Evan Newton was under pressure much of the match. In the 29th minute, Newton made a diving save on a 15-yard blast by Hamza Haddadi from a nice setup by Ramos.

Republic FC advanced to the third round after defeating the CD Aguiluchos USA of Oakland 5-0 on May 18. The Pumas advanced by defeating the Seattle Sounders U-23s 1-0 on the same night.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 10:20 PM with the headline "Republic FC falls to Kitsap Pumas in Cup shocker."