2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 0, Miami FC 1

The finale for the regular season was upon us as Sacramento took on Miami before the postseason started. And the Republic paid tribute to an all-time legend as this would be Rodrigo Lopez's final regular-season home match in his playing career. But Miami came to ruin the festivities as a late goal from Daltyn Knutson gave the win to the visitors.

If I had a nickel every time we played THE Miami FC at home for our season finale, I would have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice. Miami came into this match already eliminated from playoff contention and had nothing left to play for except for some personal pride. After starting the season reasonably hot, Miami slid down the Eastern Conference standings to last place and was fighting to avoid being awarded the notorious wooden spoon. Their season featured a sixteen-match winless run from the end of June to the end of September. However, their last match was a victory against fellow bottom dwellers Birmingham, winning 3-2.

Sacramento also had nothing on the line in this match except for carrying some momentum into the postseason. The side locked up the second seed in the Western Conference, after notching a midweek win against the Charleston Battery. It was a tough victory with Khori Bennett converting Sacramento's only shot on target into a goal early in the second half. The Republic were trying to avoid a repeat of last season and limp into the playoffs, so a victory here was significant. That said, many eyes would be trained elsewhere as the question of who would be the Republic's first playoff opponent still hung in the air. Sacramento owns this series, winning both times these two sides have met. The first one coming in the season finale of 2023 and then in 2024 on the road, with Trevor Amann scoring that goal.

Coach Gaston Maddoni had this lineup for Miami:

Our roster for our West Coast matchup 🤝#SACvMIA #vamosmiami pic.twitter.com/eCN8k6UW3O

— Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) October 25, 2025

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Starting XI for this evening#SACvsMIA | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/0zGIIcJ9ST

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) October 26, 2025

By virtue of having the midweek match and this being the last match of the regular season with no real stakes on the line, Neill Collins opted to make some wholesale changes to the defense and attack. The only player in the backline who started the Charleston match to start this one would be Jared Timmer. He would be surrounded by Michel Benitez, Cody Baker, Chibi Ukaegbu, and AJ Edwards. None of the starting forwards in this match also started the game against the Battery, with Lewis Jamieson, Sebastian Herrera, and Cristian Parano getting the nod here. Luis Felipe and Rodrigo Lopez would be the starting midfield duo.

Rodrigo Lopez got an opportunity to open the night in the 9th minute. The Republic were playing down the right-hand side with Cristian Parano getting a through ball past the backline. The winger passed it to Luis Felipe, who was positioned at the top of the Miami box. And from there, he made one extra pass to Rodrigo Lopez in a similar position. The captain's effort was just over the crossbar.

Then, in the 12th minute, Rodrigo Lopez created a beautiful opportunity. A long pass deep in the Republic's territory got past the Miami defenders and to Lewis Jamieson, making a run. Jamieson then squared it across the Miami goal to Sebastian Herrera, making a run alongside him. Herrera's effort also went over the bar.

The first shot on target went to Miami in the 16th minute. Sebastian Blanco generated a chance for himself when he skipped past a couple of Republic defenders. He took his chance from distance and forced Danny Vitiello to make a diving save and push the ball out for a corner.

The Republic put the keeper to the test in the 29th minute. Some quick passing from Cristian Parano in the middle of the Miami box led to Lewis Jamieson getting the shot as he made a run right off of Parano. Jamieson's shot was blocked by Felipe Rodriguez and eventually cleared by the Miami defense.

The best chance of the night so far came in the 38th minute for the Republic. Luis Felipe won the ball off a Miami goal kick. The ball fell to Rodrigo Lopez, who dribbled towards the top of the Miami box. He had a variety of options ahead of him, and he opted to play through Cristian Parano out on the wing. Parano got his shot to go past the Miami keeper, but it also went off the post and was cleared.

Just before half, Miami got one more chance as they got a fast counterattack off of Sacramento's corner kick. Allen Gavilanes got the ball and sprinted halfway down the field with the Republic defenders tracking back. Gavilanes put in a cross to Tobias Zarate, who settled it in the box. His effort on target was smothered by Danny Vitiello.

Despite all the opportunities, the first half ended with zero goals for either side. I wasn't expecting the match to be this open, but it's been great entertainment as both sides try to find the back of the net. It's good to see the Republic attack firing again right before the playoffs. It felt like everyone in a Republic uniform was trying to set up Rodrigo Lopez for one more special moment in the regular season, as he's been influential in setting up many of the Republic's chances. Miami has had chances of their own and given Danny Vitiello a couple of tests that he's passed so far.

Both teams were again finding chances to start the second half. Miami came close in the 61st minute. A long ball over the top of the Republic defense was taken down by Sebastian Blanco. His shot was blocked by Danny Vitiello. The rebound was picked up by Matias Romera, but his shot was also saved.

It was still even in the 65th minute when Neill Collins made the first substitutions of the night. Freddy Kleeman and Ryan Spaulding took to the pitch. Jared Timmer was the defender to be replaced. And to a standing ovation, Rodrigo Lopez stepped off the pitch. This pushed Michel Benitez into the midfield.

Sacramento was still looking for a winner in the 74th minute. Ryan Spaulding put a low cross into the Miami box that bounced around for a little bit in front of the goal. The ball was cleared, but only got as far as Michel Benitez. He tried his luck from distance and forced Felipe Rodriguez to make a touch save out for a corner kick.

Neill Collins made another pair of substitutions in the 75th minute. Sebastian Herrera and Cristian Parano were to be replaced by Khori Bennett and Da'vian Kimbrough.

Miami would find the opener in the 86th minute. From their corner kick, the first shot got blocked by Danny Vitiello. The rebound fell to Daltyn Knutson, who got a point-blank opportunity to get Miami the advantage late in the match.

86' | DALTYN KNUTSON PUTS ONE IN LATE INTO THE MATCH#SACvMIA | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/HfryFkKSuU

— Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) October 26, 2025

And Jack Gurr was the final substitution of the night in the 87th minute. He replaced AJ Edwards.

And with the final whistle, the 2025 regular season came to an end. Disappointing to end on a loss, but there weren't really any expectations on this match, as we were rotating some of our starters this match. The attack looked good, testing the Miami keeper, but was unlucky not to get a breakthrough. It felt like Rodrigo Lopez was in the middle of everything, both on and off the field. Lopez may have turned the clock back a little in this match as he was pulling the strings for the Republic. We are in the postseason. Just got to get four wins in a row, and you will end up with some silverware. The first round matchup will be Orange County. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Thank you for the memories, Roro! There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Roman Lopez introduced his dad during the player intros. Let's get you one more piece of silverware!
• The last-second curse strikes again with another late goal being given up.
• Let's get some of our starters back and have a go at Orange County.

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 12 shots, 3 shots on target, 55.3% possession, 1 corner, 1 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Miami FC: 1 goal, 10 shots, 6 shot on target, 44.7% possession, 2 corners, 2 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Cody Baker, Chibi Ukaegbu, AJ Edwards, Jared Timmer (OUT, 65'), Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 65'), Luis Felipe, Lewis Jamieson, Sebastian Herrera (OUT, 75'), Cristian Parano (OUT, 75')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Freddy Kleeman (IN, 65'), Lee Desmond, Jack Gurr, Ryan Spaulding (IN, 65'), Da'vian Kimbrough (IN, 75'), Dominik Wanner, Khori Bennett (IN, 75')

What were your thoughts on the match? Sound off in the comments below!

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)