Republic FC Rally Late to Earn a Point in Lexington
For the second straight week, Sacramento Republic FC clawed back from a two-goal deficit—this time securing a dramatic 2–2 draw on the road against Lexington SC on Friday night. A furious finish, highlighted by goals from Cristian Parano and Sebastián Herrera in the final minutes, preserved a valuable point as Sacramento inches closer to locking up second place in the Western Conference.
A Slow Start and Early Setback
The match began in the worst possible way for the visitors. Just four minutes in, Lexington’s Marcus Epps delivered a pinpoint cross that found Cory Burke unmarked in front of goal, giving the hosts an early 1–0 advantage. The early blow rattled Republic FC’s rhythm, and Head Coach Neill Collins didn’t hold back afterward: “The first 20 minutes of the game was as poor as we’ve been all season. I could not believe some of the decision making, some of the tackles we lost. Just across the board we were poor,” he said post-match.
But even amid the slow start, Sacramento slowly began to find its footing. Danny Vitiello came up big to keep his side within reach—first with a diving stop on Blaine Ferri’s curling free kick, then again denying Alfredo Midence’s low strike through traffic just before halftime. The Indomitable Club nearly leveled the match moments later when Jack Gurr’s cross found Sebastián Herrera in front of goal, but the Colombian’s header sailed just over the bar.
Regaining Control After the Break
Sacramento emerged from the locker room with a renewed sense of urgency. Substitutes Rodrigo López and Justin Portillo brought composure and control to the midfield, and the Indomitable Club began to turn the screws on Lexington’s back line. Within minutes, the chances started to come—Lewis Jamieson teed up Dominik Wanner for a clean look just wide, and moments later Michel Benítez forced a save from the Lexington keeper after a deflected Lopez cross.
The wave of pressure hinted at an equalizer, but the hosts struck again instead. In the 64th minute, Marcus Epps doubled the lead with a curling strike into the top corner—a moment of brilliance that could’ve deflated a lesser side.
The Indomitable Spirit Emerges
Sacramento didn’t fold. They responded with intensity and purpose, driving forward in waves as the clock ticked toward the final ten minutes. In the 85th, Lopez—ever the catalyst—whipped in a perfectly placed cross that found Cristian Parano darting into the box. The Argentine winger met it with precision, nodding it home to cut the deficit in half and swing the momentum firmly back in Republic FC’s favor.
“Super proud of the guys,” Lopez reflected after the match. “Even going down two goals, the team showed a lot of character, belief, and togetherness to come back and get a point.”
The equalizer arrived deep into stoppage time. Jack Gurr, relentless all night, delivered yet another cross—his tenth of the evening—toward the back post. Herrera rose above his marker and buried his header into the net, sending the traveling support into celebration.
Controversy and Frustration
The drama didn’t stop there. Moments after the restart, Sacramento thought they had completed the comeback when Khori Bennett pounced on a rebound and fired it into the net. But the assistant referee’s flag went up, disallowing the goal for offside—a call that replays revealed to be incorrect.
“Really we should be sitting here with three points,” Collins said. “Anyone that’s watched the goal back can see that Khori was three yards onside. We’ve just got to keep believing that we’re going to be repaid at some point for some of these calls we’ve had.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the frustration, the draw continued Sacramento’s unbeaten run and reinforced the resilience that has carried them through the closing months of the season. For the second week in a row, the Indomitable Club showcased its capacity to respond under pressure—a timely reminder as the playoffs approach.
With two home matches remaining—against Charleston Battery and Miami FC—Republic FC’s path to a top-two finish remains firmly in their hands. If Friday night proved anything, it’s that this squad has rediscovered its fight just in time for when it matters most.