Republic FC Advance to Jägermeister Cup Semifinals Behind Mazzola’s Heroics
Sacramento Republic FC are on the march to the semifinals of the USL Jägermeister Cup after a dramatic road win over Loudoun United. It took 90 grueling minutes and a penalty shootout, but the Indomitable Club once again found a way to move forward in the competition.
The story of the night was goalkeeper Jared Mazzola, who delivered the kind of performance that defines knockout football. Over the course of regulation he made six saves to keep Loudoun off the board, including a sharp stop in the opening minutes and a critical intervention midway through the second half. He controlled his box, stayed composed under constant pressure, and earned his fourth clean sheet of the tournament. And when the match came down to penalties, Mazzola doubled down—producing two decisive saves that shifted the balance of the shootout and set Sacramento on course for victory.
A Hard-Fought Quarterfinal
The evening began cautiously, with both teams struggling to establish rhythm. Sacramento created a pair of quality looks before halftime, including Sebastian Herrera’s header and Michel Benitez’s attempt off a Jack Gurr cross, but neither found the target. Loudoun responded with chances of their own, forcing the Quails’ back line into recovery mode on multiple occasions.
As the match wore on, the hosts grew in confidence. Zach Ryan came closest, testing Mazzola with a low drive in the 61st minute and later striking the post in the 81st. Sacramento, meanwhile, leaned into its defensive structure—absorbing pressure, cutting off passing lanes, and waiting for moments to counter. It wasn’t the kind of free-flowing performance that wins style points, but it was disciplined, composed, and built for survival.
By the final whistle, Loudoun had fired 23 shots to Sacramento’s nine. Yet the score remained locked at 0–0 thanks to a collective defensive effort anchored by Mazzola’s poise.
“In the Cup, it’s all about progressing. We did that, and the players handled a really tough environment very, very well.”
— Head Coach Neill Collins
Shootout Drama
Penalty shootouts often come down to who blinks first. Loudoun converted their opening attempt, but Mazzola immediately put his stamp on the contest with back-to-back saves. That was all Sacramento needed. Veterans Nick Ross and AJ Edwards delivered from the spot, Michel Benitez followed with composure, and Cristian Parano finished the job to send the Quails through 4–2.
The shootout showcased more than just technical execution—it revealed the team’s togetherness. Each conversion was met with roars from the Sacramento bench, and each save carried the weight of belief from a squad that has embraced a resilient, grind-it-out identity in this tournament.
“I was really blessed and fortunate to be able to make two saves for my team tonight and just help us get the win.”
— Goalkeeper Jared Mazzola
Mazzola Steps Into the Spotlight
For much of the Cup run, Sacramento has rotated its lineup, leaning on depth to navigate the extra fixtures. Mazzola has been central to that plan, and on this night he elevated his status from capable understudy to match-winner. Goalkeepers live for moments like this: the chance to be the difference between elimination and survival. Mazzola seized it, cementing himself as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
This was not simply about individual brilliance, though. It was about Sacramento’s ability to manage a hostile road setting, adapt to Loudoun’s pressure, and lean into its defensive strength when needed most. The clean sheet was their fourth of the Cup, a reflection of both tactical discipline and mental toughness.
Eyes on the Semifinals
With the win, Republic FC keep alive a run that underscores their identity in knockout competition. The semifinal stage now awaits, with Sacramento set to face Rhode Island FC on September 10. The draw confirmed this morning that the match will be played away, setting up a return trip to a venue where the Quails earned a 2-0 victory in regular season play back in June. That result offers confidence, but with a Cup final on the line, the stakes — and the pressure — will be even higher.
The road to a trophy is never straightforward, and nights like these often define whether a campaign is remembered. Against Loudoun, Sacramento showed grit, resilience, and above all, a goalkeeper who refused to be beaten. In the Jägermeister Cup, that combination is exactly what it takes to survive and advance.
What do you think about the foul claims against Mazzola when he came out of the box and, well, took the guy out. He did actually make contact with the ball, so technically not a foul?