2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2
Looking to build some momentum at the start of the season, the Sacramento Republic had another tough opponent lined up against them. The defending champions, Colorado Springs Switchbacks paid an early visit to Sacramento. The Republic were in control for a majority of the match. Goals from Jack Gurr and Russell Cicerone gave the Republic an advantage. But two late penalty shouts for the Switchbacks brought them back to equalize the match.
The Switchbacks were another benefactor last season of Sacramento's slide down the table. If you remember, they were the last opponent the Republic faced in the regular season. And the 0-1 loss to them forced Sacramento out of home field advantage and put the Republic on the road to Las Vegas. This match was part of a 6 match winning streak that propelled the Switchbacks into the final against Rhode Island. And from there, they snatched the championship with a 3-0 score line in front of their home crowd. However, it has been a rough start to their season. Coming into this game, the Switchbacks have yet to find a win. Their home opener last week resulted in a 1-2 loss against Detroit City. And there has been some turnover with this side. Ronaldo Damus and Speedy Williams are probably the two biggest losses for this side in the offseason. But keep an eye out for new acquisitions in Marco Micaletto and Charlie Adams in the midfield. Also look to former Republic player, Matt Mahoney, to hold down a solid backline.
Sacramento were coming off a bye week after their win on opening weekend. The Republic went down early, but had a great comeback to win 2-1 against New Mexico. But, there was a price to pay in terms of injuries. Both Ryan Spaulding and Lee Desmond went down with injuries during this match. This left an already depleted backline with little to no reinforcements. So, the Republic used this off week to recover and make a couple of new signings. Six new players were signed to the Republic's roster this past week. The main one to focus on is Tyler Clegg who last played in the Portland Timbers organization. Clegg is signed to a 25-day contract and will look to earn a permanent spot as a center back for the Republic.
Coach James Chambers made this selection:
Tonight's squad #beCOS #switchbacksfc
— Switchbacks FC (@switchbacksfc.bsky.social) March 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
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Coach Neill Collins had this lineup:
Tonight's starting XI #SACvCOS
— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.bsky.social) March 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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Almost a virtually unchanged lineup for Neill Collins and the Republic. The only changes come in the backline. Chibi Ukaegbu and Dominik Wanner have been tasked to start in place of the injured Lee Desmond and Ryan Spaulding. Tyler Clegg and Jackson Martin made their first appearance on the teamsheet, starting on the bench for this one. Freddy Kleeman shifted over into the central position in the backline.
The left side of the formation was the one firing chances for the Republic early in this match. Wanner and Russell Cicerone were able to win the ball off some great pressure in a couple of moments. The closest chance in this opening phase came in the 9th minute where Jack Gurr played a great, cutting ball going over to Cicerone. Wanner run the overlap and got the ball in the Switchbacks' box. His shot was fired wide, but the buildup is looking great.
Sacramento was finding ways to break through the Switchbacks' press going into the 20th minute. A couple of decent moments from the wingbacks as both Wanner and Jack Gurr got on the end of crosses. Both of their shots were handled and cleared out by the Colorado Springs defense.
And it was Jack Gurr that opened the match in the 24th minute. Sacramento were on the attack again positioned just outside the Colorado Springs box. Russell Cicerone put in a lofted ball over the heads of the Switchbacks' defenders. Gurr got on the end of it and headed the ball near post and into the net.
The placement 🔥
— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 23, 2025
The header 🔥🔥🔥@Jackwilliamgurr puts us ahead 😤#SACvCOS pic.twitter.com/dsIyoJI6QN
The Republic were looking to press their advantage in the 27th minute. Jack Gurr nearly returned the favor to Russell Cicerone. The defender won the ball high up the field and put a cross into the Switchbacks' box. Cicerone was positioned to head it home but the opposing keeper came out and immediately blocked the shot.
The Switchbacks got their first decent chance in the 32nd minute. Long cross from their right got to the head of Hanya. His headed effort was put back across the face of goal and dribbled out for a goal kick.
Sacramento got one more chance at the end of the first half. Wanner was streaking down the left hand side and played the ball back to Jamieson who was set up at the top of the Switchbacks' box. The striker opted for a chipped effort over the keeper, but his shot went off target to the left.
The opening phase of the second half was pretty quiet from both sides. Sacramento were still in control of the match and got a couple of half chances from distance via Luis Felipe and Blake Willey. The Switchbacks were finding it difficult to make any progress forward against this defensive setup.
Sacramento continued pressing their advantage. Blake Willey got the ball out to Jack Gurr going down the right. His bouncing cross got to Cicerone in the Switchbacks' box. He was able to control the ball and spin on it, but his shot was off target.
Coach Neill Collins opted to freshen up the attack with a substitution in the 67th minute. Sebastian Herrera came on to take the place of Lewis Jamieson.
Colorado Springs were adding more urgency in their buildup in the 68th minute. Fjeldburg got the ball within the Sacramento box and his shot would've been on target if it were not for Freddy Kleeman coming up big and blocking off the opportunity.
Coach Collins made another change in the 73rd minute. Cristian Parano came into the match in place of Dominik Wanner. Parano moved into the right winger spot, moving Willey to the left wing back spot where Wanner was.
And Sacramento doubled their lead in the 74th minute. Long ball played into the Switchbacks' box was headed forward by Sebastian Herrera. The ball is tapped past the onrushing Colorado Springs keeper by Russell Cicerone and neatly placed into the open net.
THAT MAN @RussellCicerone 😤
— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 23, 2025
He's just too nice with it #SACvCOS pic.twitter.com/E8lvfINXba
With Colorado Springs piling on the pressure trying to find something from this match, Collins opted to freshen up the backline. In the 82nd minute, Tyler Clegg came into the match to make Republic debut in place of Blake Willey. This moved Michelle Benitez out to the left wingback spot as Clegg came in to occupy the centerback position.
Some late drama happened with Colorado Springs getting a goal back in the 86th minute. A penalty was awarded to the Switchbacks after a Michel Benitez slide tackle in the box. Honestly, I thought that was a clean tackle but I can see from certain angles he got more of the player. Dhillon stepped up to take the penalty and sent Vitiello the wrong way to get one back for the visitors.
— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) March 23, 2025
This penalty conversion breathed new life into the Switchbacks as they pressed on for an equalizer in the final phase of play. The Republic defense would have to hold strong to claim all 3 points.
And again in stoppage time, Sacramento gave away another penalty. This time on the opposite flank as it was Cristian Parano who would chop down his man in the box. Dhillon again stepped up to take the penalty for the visitors and he would convert the chance again.
— Switchbacks FC (@SwitchbacksFC) March 23, 2025
Well, that was an almost great performance from the Republic. For the most part, the defense limited the Switchbacks' chances as they were held to 0 shots on target past the 60th minute. The Republic were solidly in control of this match up until the very end were some sloppy tackling cost us. I would've given props to the defense but they were unable to seal the win in crunch time. One of the bright sides is seeing the Republic left being productive as Dominik Wanner was tearing up that side of the field. The team shouldn't be putting the referee in a position to be making those kinds of calls. No one to blame but ourselves for dropping points in this one. Welp, next is our first road game of the season, against Tulsa. Onwards!
Key Takeaways:
- Dominik Wanner is solid and is fun to watch moving forward.
- That was so stupid to give up two penalties at the very end of the match. Definitely two points dropped.
- The Republic were in complete control for most of the match. Just needed to seal it.
Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 16 shots, 5 shots on target, 39.6% possession, 0 corners, 1 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: 2 goals, 9 shots, 3 shots on target, 60.4% possession, 4 corners, 1 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.
Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Chibi Ukaegbu, Freddy Kleeman, Dominik Wanner (OUT, 73'), Jack Gurr, Blake Willey (OUT, 82'), Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Russell Cicerone, Lewis Jamieson (OUT, 67')
Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, AJ Edwards, Tyler Clegg (IN, 82'), Justin Portillo, Cristian Parano (IN, 73'), Trevor Amann, Sebastian Herrera (IN, 67'), Da'vian Kimbrough, Jackson Martin
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!
Riyan Lacara
All Is Quail Blog Author/Co-Host
The “numbers guy”, Riyan! Riyan is a native of Sacramento and has been following the Republic since day one. He has covered the team across different media outlets including now his own, All is Quail Soccer. Aside from putting numbers in spreadsheets, he has a love of video games and finding a good book to put in his ever growing to-read pile.
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