SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes fell to Sacramento Republic FC 2-0 on a sweltering Wednesday night at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif. The result eliminates the Quakes from the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Earthquakes utilized a lineup that did not include many regular starters, with midfielder Jan Gregus being the only player that has started at least half of the team’s 13 regular season matches to date.
Sacramento opened the scoring in the 28th minute through former Quakes midfielder Luis Felipe on a corner kick. Sacramento then doubled their lead in the 83rd minute off a long distance shot from Rodrigo Lopez.
San Jose outshot their opponent 17 to 10 and earned 12 corner kicks but were unable to beat Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello for the duration of the contest.
The Earthquakes will remain on the road to face LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday, May 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. PT and the match will be broadcast nationally on TUDN and UniMas, as well as on local radio via KNBR 1050 (English), and 1370 KZSF (Spanish).
GAME NOTES
San Jose is now 5-2-2 in all competitions under interim head coach Alex Covelo, including a 3-1-2 record in MLS play and 2-1-0 record in U.S. Open Cup play.
The Quakes are now 20-17 all-time in U.S. Open Cup competition, including a 10-10 record as the road team.
The Earthquakes now hold a 3-1 record in U.S. Open Cup play against Sacramento, including a 0-1 record on the road.
MATCH INFORMATION
2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16
Sacramento Republic FC 2 – 0 San Jose Earthquakes
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 – Heart Health Park in Sacramento, Calif.
Attendance: 11,569
Scoring Summary:
SAC (1-0) – Luis Felipe (Rodrigo Lopez) 28’
SAC (2-0) – Rodrigo Lopez (Matt Lagrassa) 83’
Misconduct Summary:
SAC – Luis Felipe (caution) 53’
SAC – Matt Lagrassa (caution) 61’
SAC – Rodrigo Lopez (caution) 62’
SJ – Tanner Beason (caution) 67’
SAC – Douglas Jr. (caution) 68’
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC: Danny Vitiello; Jack Gurr, Lee Desmond, Dan Casey, Rodrigo Lopez (Damia Viader 90+2), Zeiko Lewis (Archimede 64), Duke Lacroix; Nick Ross (Matt Lagrassa 46), Conor Donovan, Luis Felipe; Douglas Jr. (Keko Gontan 71).
Substitutes not used: Maalique Foster, Rafael Jauregui, Carlos Saldana (GK).
SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 5
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Matt Bersano; Shea Salinas (C) (Jeremy Ebobisse 74), Tanner Beason, Oskar Agren, Tommy Thompson (Eric Remedi 74); Judson, Jack Skahan, Jan Gregus (Chofis 58); Ousseni Bouda (Cade Cowell 59), Benji Kikanović, Will Richmond (Cristian Espinoza 58).
Substitutes not used: JT Marcinkowski (GK), Casey Walls.
SHOTS: 17; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 7; CORNER KICKS: 12; SAVES: 2
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES INTERIM HEAD COACH ALEX COVELO
On his thoughts on tonight’s performance:
“First of all, after that amount of games that we’ve had these last days, we thought that it would be good to rotate some players. We also have an important game this Saturday. But I’m very disappointed because I think we started slow, and we were not able to overcome the opponent in different areas, even when we had some opportunities before they scored their first goal on a set piece. At the end, we had the urgency in the last 20 to 35 minutes where we made some adjustments, but that urgency and desire had to have happened earlier.”
On the mentality for Saturday’s MLS match vs. LAFC:
“We need to take this game as a lesson, understanding that all the games are important, and we have to be at 200% focus and ready to attack and defend better. I think that right now, we need to recover the guys and prepare Saturday’s game as best as possible understanding the days that we have ahead, put the best lineup on the field and try to get a good result in LA before the international break.”
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES DEFENDER TOMMY THOMPSON
On what went wrong:
“I think we had the game under control early on and we conceded a set piece against a team that was always going to make it difficult for us, so we gave them a bit of momentum. And they capitalized. You just can’t do that away from home.”
On his lengthy history with Sacramento:
“Yeah, I played with Sacramento a lot from 2014 to 2016. I was always grateful for my time here. They gave me a great opportunity at a young age, and I’ll always be appreciative to them for that. But we came here to get the job done and unfortunately, we came up short. It was a great environment. Credit to Sacramento, they made it difficult for us, and they did what they came to do.”
On the team’s support from traveling fans:
“We really appreciate the support from all the traveling fans. We could hear you loud and clear on the field. We apologize for coming up short with the result, but it was great to see Earthquakes fans here in Sacramento. You guys contributed to what was an incredible atmosphere. On a Wednesday especially, to have over 10,000 fans there, I think it was over 11,000, it’s great for the sport and it was special to be out there in front of you guys.”
