Republic FC Punches Ticket to the Jägermeister Cup Final
Republic FC will host USL Jägermeister Cup Final after Penalty Shootout Win in Rhode Island
Republic FC’s fighting spirit carried them back to another Cup final Wednesday night, as the club defeated Rhode Island FC 3-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation at Centreville Bank Stadium. The victory sends Sacramento to its third major final in club history – and its first-ever USL Jägermeister Cup Final – where they will face Hartford Athletic on October 4 following Hartford’s semifinal win over Greenville Triumph.
Defensive Steel and Missed Opportunities
Neill Collins’ side turned in a disciplined, organized display that reflected the identity it has built over the course of the tournament. Sacramento limited Rhode Island to just three shots on target and 0.83 expected goals despite the home side’s direct play and frequent crosses . Goalkeeper Jared Mazzola continued his breakout run with three saves to claim his fifth clean sheet of the tournament, providing calm leadership from the back.
Even while holding firm defensively, Republic FC still carried threat going forward. In the opening stages, Michel Benítez forced a big stop from Koke Vegas with a curling free kick, and Khori Bennett had an apparent goal waved off for offside. Later in the half, Russell Cicerone’s low strike was denied and Rodrigo López’s in-swinging corner was flicked just wide by Lee Desmond. By halftime, Sacramento had outshot Rhode Island 7-5, with the hosts looking unsettled by the visitors’ quick transitions and service from the flanks.
The second half was more fragmented, with fouls and substitutions slowing the tempo. Rhode Island’s best chance came in the 82nd minute when Maxi Rodriguez got on the end of a low cross, only for Mazzola to close the angle and block at point-blank range. Sacramento nearly stole it in the 88th minute when Jack Gurr met a long ball from López and volleyed goalward from close range, but his shot went straight at Vegas .
Calm from the Spot
With neither side able to find a breakthrough, penalties became decisive. Sacramento’s veterans showed composure and experience, converting all three of their kicks – López first, then Cicerone, then Benítez. Rhode Island faltered, missing the target twice before Mazzola made his third penalty save of the tournament to end the contest. It was a fitting conclusion for a team whose defensive stability has underpinned its Cup run.
“We knew this game was going to take a lot of heart…We’re back where we belong, fighting for trophies, and the job’s not done” . - Rodrigo López, Captain
Hosting the Final and a Historic Opportunity
This win set the stage for Sacramento to play Hartford Athletic in the USL Jägermeister Cup Final – and a draw for hosting priority held Thursday morning determined that the match will be played at Heart Health Park on October 4. For a club that has been on the road throughout most of this tournament, bringing a final back to its fans is a reward for their resilience. Heart Health Park has been the stage for some of Republic FC’s greatest nights, and the club will now have the chance to add another chapter to its history there.
“Just so proud of the boys…we want to be in these big games, and the players have put us there. I couldn’t be happier” . - Neill Collins, Head Coach
The Jägermeister Cup Final will be Republic FC’s third major final since its 2014 debut season. That inaugural campaign ended with a USL Championship title, cementing the Indomitable Club’s arrival. In 2022, Sacramento captivated the American soccer landscape by becoming the first lower-division side in 14 years to reach the U.S. Open Cup Final, ultimately falling to Orlando City SC but earning nationwide respect. Now, two years later, the club stands on the verge of lifting another trophy – this time at home, in front of its own supporters.