Republic FC Tops Group 1 and Sets Up Quarterfinal Clash with Loudoun
Sacramento Republic FC handled their business in Spokane, earning a 1-0 win on the road against USL League One side Spokane Velocity FC in the final round of the USL Jägermeister Cup Group Stage. The result temporarily vaulted Sacramento to the top of Group 1 with nine points and an unbeaten record, but their fate remained uncertain at the final whistle.
With their group stage campaign complete, all eyes turned to the Antelope Valley, where fellow Group 1 sides Monterey Bay FC and AV Alta FC were set to clash. A Monterey Bay victory could have leapfrogged them over Sacramento in the group, ending the Quails’ Cup run despite a flawless July.
Instead, the night ended with a celebration for Sacramento.
Later that evening, AV Alta — already mathematically eliminated from contention — pulled off a surprise 1-0 win over Monterey Bay. The result sealed Sacramento’s place at the top of the group and punched their ticket to the Jägermeister Cup Quarterfinals, turning a tense night into a triumphant one.
But before scoreboard watching began, Sacramento took care of business.
The Quails struck early at ONE Spokane Stadium. In the 10th minute, Jack Gurr curled a precise cross from the right flank to the back post, where Michel Benítez rose high and powered home a header for his second goal of the tournament. It was the second time the wing-back duo combined for a goal in Cup play — and it proved to be the decisive moment.
Spokane nearly equalized ten minutes later when Andre Lewis unleashed a 25-yard strike that clipped the outside of the post. Jared Mazzola reacted quickly to secure the rebound with an acrobatic save — the first of four critical stops on the night.
Republic FC continued to dictate the first half, winning 66.7% of their duels and creating multiple chances in the box. Center back Freddy Kleemann nearly doubled the lead with a header in the 23rd minute, but the effort drifted just over the crossbar. Sacramento ended the half firmly in control, with Spokane rarely able to break through the Quails’ defensive block.
The second half saw both teams trade punches. Spokane came out energized, but the Indomitable back line — led by Lee Desmond and supported by key tackles from Gurr — held strong. In the 55th minute, Sacramento nearly made it 2-0 when Russell Cicerone thundered a header off the bar, one of several close calls on the night.
Head coach Neill Collins made a series of substitutions to maintain tempo and reinforce the midfield. Among the changes was the debut of striker Khori Bennett, as well as the introduction of 18-year-old Blake Willey. Willey nearly became the second-youngest goal scorer in club history in the 84th minute, rifling a shot off the side netting after a deflection.
The final test came deep into stoppage time. Spokane earned a corner in the 95th minute and sent everyone forward. Marky Hernández connected on a downward header that seemed destined for the bottom corner, but Mazzola came up clutch once more, diving low to preserve his third clean sheet of the tournament and Sacramento’s 11th of the season across all competitions.
It was a nervy ending to a match Sacramento largely controlled — and a tense wait for the final group standings. But thanks to AV Alta’s upset win over Monterey Bay, the Quails now march on to the Jägermeister Cup Quarterfinals as winners of Group 1.
Republic FC will face Loudoun United on the road on August 20 in the quarterfinal round. Sacramento has history on its side — the Quails have won all three previous meetings with Loudoun, outscoring them 10-2 across those matches. But with a semifinal berth on the line and Cup ambitions rising, nothing will be taken for granted.