2025 Match Recap: Monterey Bay FC 1, Sacramento Republic FC 0

The final HellaCup match took place this past Saturday as Sacramento visited Monterey. And it would be the underdog Monterey to score a goal and take the victory.

It has been a rollercoaster season for Monterey, as they started off hot and at the top of the Western Conference. However, as the season progressed, they experienced a slow descent down the table, ultimately reaching their current position: last in the Western Conference. Monterey was six points away from the postseason cutoff line, but only had four matches, including this one, left in the regular season. This season's performance had led some Monterey fans to call for a leadership change, and they were granted just that. Monterey Bay FC President Mike DiGiulio has announced that this will be his last season. DiGiulio has been the club president since their inception back in 2021. In this wake, Monterey announced a new club CEO in Mike Sheehan, who has previous experience with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks and MLB's Seattle Mariners. Sheehan will be hoping that next season will be better, as Monterey is currently on pace for their worst-ever points haul in a season. Their current worst tally is 34 points in 2024, and they are currently sitting on 25 points. The team's last win came in July with a 2-1 win against Orange County. In the 10 matches since, they have lost 7 of them. Their last match was a 1-1 draw against New Mexico.

This is the first game in a busy slate for Sacramento. They are looking at another three-game week with two games against California rivals and then the USL Cup final game against Hartford. Sacramento will continue to try to strengthen their position in the west as they were six points behind Tulsa in first place. But New Mexico was just four points behind in third. These will be games that can help Sacramento build their momentum into the postseason as the club will look to ride out their current unbeaten streak. The Republic were unbeaten in their last five matches, with the last one being a 2-0 win against Colorado Springs. The last time these two sides met was in early August, as Rodrigo Lopez scored the only goal of the night to give Sacramento the win in front of their home crowd. There was a chance for the Republic to clinch their spot in the postseason with a win in this match, combined with results elsewhere in the night.

Coach Jordan Stewart made this selection for Monterey:

All fight from this XI pic.twitter.com/qpsPFAPPei

— Monterey Bay FC (@MontereyBayFC) September 28, 2025

Coach Neill Collins had this lineup for Sacramento:

Starting XI for this evening#SACvsMB | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/5vDXTg7bse

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) September 28, 2025

Only two changes in the lineup from the win in Colorado Springs. Khori Bennett returned from red card suspension to take the place of Cristian Parano. And Luis Felipe got the start in place of Blake Willey.

Monterey opened the match quickly in front of their home crowd, pressing the Republic backline at every opportunity. Johnny Klein looked the most dangerous in this opening phase as he was the one forcing turnovers and creating chances for Monterey.

Two chances in quick succession came to the Republic in the 16th minute. Sacramento were setting up around the Monterey box when Rodrigo Lopez put in a looping ball back into Monterey's area. The ball lands with Russell Cicerone, who played the ball back to the top, and Luis Felipe. He took a shot off the volley but was turned away by Monterey's keeper, Nico Campuzano.

And then off the ensuing corner kick, Rodrigo Lopez put the ball back into the mixer. And as it bounced around in front of Monterey's goal, Freddy Kleeman poked at the ball to try and force it in, but was blocked by a Monterey defender on the goalline.

Both defenses tightened up late in the first half as neither side could find a clear-cut opportunity.

At halftime, the teams entered the locker rooms with no goals scored. Apart from the early chances, it was a battle in the midfield as each side was struggling to negotiate their way past the opposing defenses. There were several shouts for penalties coming from both benches, but the referee decided not to act on any of them. Sacramento is going to have to do better to open this game up and come away with three points.

The first shot on target for Monterey came in the 55th minute. Tarik Scott is played through to challenge Freddy Kleeman and the Republic backline. He makes a turn towards the middle and gets some space to fire his shot. But it is comfortably saved by Danny Vitiello.

The first substitution of the night came in the 67th minute. Lewis Jamieson came on to replace Luis Felipe. Jamieson would move into a winger spot, allowing Rodrigo Lopez to move into the midfield.

And Monterey got the breakthrough in the 71st minute. Monterey was in possession and had some quick passing outside of the Republic box. Adrian Rebollar started the movement and continued his run to receive the ball in the Republic box to hit it off the volley and into the back of the net.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙮 🥂

Adrian Rebollar provides the breakthrough for @MontereyBayFC! pic.twitter.com/JjFeDTawYC

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 28, 2025

Coach Collins made another substitution in the 77th minute. Dominik Wanner stepped onto the pitch to replace Rayan Djedje.

The final substitution window was used in the 85th minute for a pair of players. Michel Benitez and Rodrigo Lopez were taken out and replaced by Blake Willey and Cody Baker.

And the final whistle blew with Monterey getting all three points. It was a fairly lackluster display from the Republic, as they posed no threat in the second half. They were completely outclassed by a team that is at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, fighting for their playoff lives. This game does not inspire any confidence as the team heads into a hectic week with some key matches queued up. The Republic defense was probably the only bright spot, but even then, they were cut up by Monterey's attackers to score a goal. Next up is a midweek match against Orange County. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• There were not a lot of high points in this one. Sacramento's attack looked pretty disjointed. And the defense tried their best but got beaten.
• The Republic need to quickly forget this performance and move forward fast.
• Monterey deserved this win. They came out fighting hard in this match.

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 6 shots, 2 shots on target, 46.8% possession, 1 corner, 4 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Monterey Bay FC: 1 goals, 8 shots, 4 shots on target, 53.2% possession, 7 corners, 4 offsides, 1 yellow card, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Rayan Djedje (OUT, 77'), Freddy Kleeman, Jack Gurr, Michel Benitez (OUT, 85'), Nick Ross, Luis Felipe (OUT, 67'), Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 85'), Russell Cicerone, Khori Bennett

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Chibi Ukaegbu, Cody Baker (IN, 85'), Dominik Wanner (IN, 77'), AJ Edwards, Justin Portillo, Blake Willey (IN, 85'), Lewis Jamieson (IN, 67'), Da'vian Kimbrough

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)