2025 Match Recap: Rhode Island FC 0, Sacramento Republic FC 2

Sacramento was looking to get something from this road trip as they visited Tidewater Landing and Rhode Island FC. And they were able to walk away with all three points with a coordinated attacking effort. A set-piece goal from Rodrigo Lopez and another from Cristian Parano saw the Republic earn the victory.

Things are looking bright for Rhode Island. In their debut season, they went on a run through the playoffs, making it all the way to the championship match. And in the offseason, their new soccer-specific stadium, Centreville Bank Stadium, was completed and ready for use. Now in their second year, Rhode Island is looking to build off the success of their debut season. They came into this match in 7th place in the USL Eastern Conference. A former Republic player, Aldair Sanchez, has been creating chances for the side at a similar rate to Jack Gurr for Sacramento. But their conversion rate is what is hindering this team. Rhode Island was 6th in the league for shots with 160, but they were tied for 17th in goals scored with 13. For reference, Sacramento was 13th in shots with 140, and tied for 13th in goals with 15. The last match between the two was a 2-2 draw with Trevor Amann and Jonathan Ricketts scoring on the night.

Sacramento was looking to find some answers on this road trip. And it doesn't look like they found any in their last match against Birmingham. A dismal attacking performance saw the side only put two shots on target against the Legion. Their defense kept the Republic in the game, but a last-second goal by Sebastian Tregarthen secured all three points for Birmingham. With that match, the Republic has played three consecutive matches in league play without scoring a goal for the first time since 2022. Hopefully, Coach Collins found something in the short time span between the two matches because the games are starting to come thick and fast, and before you know it, you can sink to well below the playoff line.

Coach Khano Smith had this lineup set for Rhode Island:

Tonight’s XI 💪 pic.twitter.com/MXR7lnfogg

— Rhode Island FC (@RhodeIslandFC) June 21, 2025

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Ready to go in Rhode Island 🔜 ⚽ Here is today's starting XI for #RIvSAC.

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— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.com) June 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM

As it is a short week for the Republic, Neill Collins made some changes to the starting lineup. Freddy Kleeman took his usual spot in the backline to replace Chibi Ukaegbu. Michel Benitez took a spot as the wingback, moving Ryan Spaulding to the bench. Luis Felipe took the spot of Blake Willey in the midfield. And Cristian Parano and Rodrigo Lopez got the starts in the attack along with Russell Cicerone.

Both teams were testing each other's backlines to open the match. Each was trying to pull apart the defenders and poke any holes in the defense. Sacramento did open the game more brightly than Rhode Island, as they held the more threatening possession. Sacramento was forcing Rhode Island to sit deep in their own half, and any attempts to break out came quickly under pressure from the Republic to force multiple turnovers.

The first chance of the night came to the Republic in the 29th minute. A quick through ball from Russell Cicerone saw Jack Gurr run clearly past the Rhode Island backline. He ran into the Rhode Island box, isolated against Rhode Island's keeper. And it was Jackson Lee who came up with the save, as Gurr didn't place it out of his reach.

And another chance fell to Jack Gurr in the 32nd minute. Russell Cicerone took the ball towards the middle of the field just outside the Rhode Island box. A low cross was played into the run of Jack Gurr. And he fired a shot just as he stepped into the Rhode Island box that went across the goal and out.

Rhode Island got a chance of their own in the 40th minute. A headed through ball from Maxi Rodriguez broke through the Republic's defense to find the run of Albert Dikwa. The striker dribbled into the Republic box and aimed his shot at the near post. There, Danny Vitiello stood tall to deflect the ball out for a corner kick.

At halftime, the match was goalless as both teams had some solid opportunities at the net. Sacramento had more of those attacking opportunities as they held Rhode Island in their half for most of the match. This side looked in better form than what we saw in Birmingham. The attack was full of intent and generated plenty of shots on net. The match against Birmingham seemed to light a fire under these players as they were the clear aggressors in the first half. And they just needed to find that final touch and finish some of their great chances on Rhode Island's goal.

Cristian Parano won a free kick a couple of yards outside of the Rhode Island box in the 53rd minute. And it was Rodrigo Lopez who stepped up and delivered a magical moment to break Sacramento's goalless streak. The kick went up and over the Rhode Island wall and was placed just out of reach of Jackson Lee, where he could only get fingertips onto the ball but couldn't keep it out. This was the first goal in the league for Rodrigo Lopez.

CLASS 🔥

A classic @Lopez_Roro BANGER to put the boys ahead! pic.twitter.com/QbGCrSUQZL

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 22, 2025

And Sacramento doubled their lead in the 63rd minute. Russell Cicerone was played down the right with plenty of space going into Rhode Island territory. He drew the first defender towards him, leaving space for Cristian Parano to run behind into the middle of the Rhode Island box, where the ball was played. Parano stepped into the shot and slotted it home.

⚡ @RussellCicerone finds a path, and Cristian Parano puts it away to make 2-0 for our squad! pic.twitter.com/zNp51MY9Ws

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 22, 2025

The first substitutions of the night came in the 70th minute for the Republic. Russell Cicerone and Rodrigo Lopez stepped off the pitch to be replaced by Dominik Wanner and Ryan Spaulding.

Rhode Island was trying to claw their way back into the match. A chance fell to them in the 75th minute. The ball was bouncing around the Sacramento box and found its way to Maxi Rodriguez. He partially found Danny Vitiello out of position when he put up a shot from outside the box. Danny Vitiello was able to recover just enough to smother the opportunity.

Another substitution was made in the 77th minute for the Republic. Blake Willey came on to take the place of Cristian Parano.

There were some shouts for a penalty from the Rhode Island fans in the 80th minute. Lee Desmond came through with a last-ditch tackle to block a crossing opportunity. He got a poke at the ball to put it out of play before taking down the Rhode Island player.

And then in the 89th minute, the final substitution was made for Sacramento. AJ Edwards took the place of Michel Benitez.

In stoppage time, Rhode Island was still pushing to find a goal. First, there was another set of calls for a penalty as the ball hit off of AJ Edwards inside the Republic box. Afterwards, Taimu Okiyoshi tried a shot from distance that Danny Vitiello fell on.

But Sacramento did well to shut out Rhode Island and claim all three points with a clean sheet to boot. Solid performance from the side. Whatever adjustments Neill Collins made between this match and Birmingham need to stick. Rodrigo Lopez is still proving why his presence is needed on the pitch. Great performance from him and the attack in general, to play with more intent moving forward. Another solid game from the defensive unit to limit Rhode Island's opportunities as they were pushing for a goal in the final stretch. We are back in USL Cup play in our next match as the Republic travels down to Orange County. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• The attack looked dynamic on the ball. And the runs moving forward looked purposeful and filled with intent.
• Now, can we maintain this mentality and mindset going into our next couple of matches? We were clicking in this one, let's keep it going. Please don't let this be just another blip and regress in form.
• Apart from the striker position, this might be the first-choice lineup for Neill Collins if everyone were healthy.

Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 4 shots, 3 shots on target, 36.4% possession, 1 corner, 1 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Rhode Island FC: 0 goals, 6 shots, 2 shots on target, 63.6% possession, 3 corners, 3 offsides, 1 yellow card, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez (IN, 89'), Freddy Kleeman, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Jack Gurr, Nick Ross, Luis Felipe, Russell Cicerone (OUT, 70'), Cristian Parano (OUT, 77'), Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 70')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, AJ Edwards (OUT, 89'), Chibi Ukaegbu, Ryan Spaulding (IN, 70'), Rayan Djedje, Dominik Wanner (IN, 70'), Justin Portillo, Blake Willey (IN, 77'), Trevor Amann

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo Credits to Sacramento Republic FC)