2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, New Mexico United 1

Opening night for the Republic and the rest of the league. Lots of optimism in the air. And I could not wait to get this season going. The Republic faced a stern test last year's Western Conference leaders New Mexico United coming to town. And they passed this test on opening night. After going down early, it took a penalty conversion from Cicerone and another goal from Jamieson to give the Republic a win on opening night.

As Sacramento faded last season, it was New Mexico that emerged to grab the top seed in the Western Conference. We saw the two teams clash twice in the span of the week. The first meeting being a 3-1 win to New Mexico. And then when the two met in Sacramento, it was the Republic that showed out and earned a 4-0 victory. New Mexico bowed out of the playoffs after a second round defeat to the Las Vegas Lights. Since then, their coach Eric Quill moved on to FC Dallas in MLS. In comes Dennis Sanchez, former head coach of the Lights and former Republic Academy Director. There has also been a good amount of roster turnover. Players like Marco Micaletto, Abdi Mohammed, Harry Swartz, and Nicky Hernandez among others have found different landing spots. But they have brought in players to fill the gaps namely Thomas Amang and Gedion Zelalem.

Like New Mexico, Sacramento have undergone a lot of changes in the offseason. Mark Briggs was relieved of his duties as head coach. And Neill Collins was brought in to lead the team. Some stalwarts of the Republic were not brought back for 2025. Namely, Conor Donovan, Aldair Sanchez, Damia Viader, and Shane Wiedt. And in their place, the Republic have made some signings, a good portion of them are looking to reinforce the backline. I think the signing that will have the biggest impact and hit the ground running will be Ryan Spaulding. Sacramento dropped down the standings in the final couple of weeks in 2024. And they didn't make it past the first round, losing to the same Las Vegas Lights. The Republic will look to regroup and hope they don't face the same kind of injury situation this season that plagued a lot of the talent for good portions of 2024.

Coach Dennis Sanchez made this selection:

Dialed In 🤙 Our Opening Day squad!#SomosUnidos | @FergusonlawWill pic.twitter.com/HYr1pXAMD4

— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) March 9, 2025

— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) March 9, 2025

And Coach Neill Collins brought this lineup for opening day:

A couple of official club debuts in today's starting XI 🔥 And, at 17 years old Blake Willey becomes the 2nd youngest player in club history to start in a season opener. 💪 #SACvNM

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— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.bsky.social) March 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM

I think we were all curious to see what selections Coach Neill Collins would make for this occassion. Some notables are Luis Felipe getting the start after missing out on the Ventura County friendly, Michel Benitez being a starter in the backline over Chibi Ukaegbu, and Lewis Jamieson being the starting striker over Trevor Amann and Sebastian Herrera.

Also, shoutout to Blake Willey for getting the start here! At 17 years old, he is now the 2nd youngest starter for the Republic on opening night!

In the opening minutes, play seemed to be like what it was the past couple of seasons. Jack Gurr was the focal point and the person all play seemed to flow through. He put in a couple of great balls aimed at Russell Cicerone and Ryan Spaulding on the opposite flank, but nothing came of it in this phase of play.

New Mexico were finding success of their own going down the flanks. They looked to mainly find duels against the likes of Freddie Kleeman and Lee Desmond, instead of the speedier Spaulding and Gurr. One chance came for them in the 15th minute with Akale shaking free of his marker, Michel Benitez. The shot was handled by Danny Vitiello and the opportunity was snuffed. New Mexico found another chance through Hurst streaking in on goal. His low shot was also handled by Vitello as New Mexico were starting to build into the game.

The visitors were turning the tide in the 20th minute. An opportunity after Pondeca broke through the Republic midfield and defense, his shot went off the post and got cleared out. In the minute after, New Mexico found the opening goal. Just some pure speed from the visiting midfield broke through the Republic's lines. Hurst got the ball into the Republic box and ran past two Republic defenders and got his shot off. Vitiello could only manage a deflection as it was New Mexico to open their account first.

Hursty bags our first goal in 2025 🙌 #SomosUnidos pic.twitter.com/XyLDWQcZgS

— New Mexico United (@NewMexicoUTD) March 9, 2025

As play resumed, Sacramento's defender depth would be tested early in the season. Ryan Spaulding went down with an apparent injury and in his place came on Dominik Wanner.

The first half was winding down when there would be an equalizer scored for the Republic. Lewis Jamieson won the ball off a New Mexico defender and was going in on goal when he was taken down in the opposition box. A red card was given to New Mexico captain Ryden in the ensuing aftermath. It was Russell Cicerone that stepped up to take the penalty and get the first goal for the Republic this season.

⚽ @RussellCicerone from the spot 🔥#SACvNM pic.twitter.com/86yMtPoWhm

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 9, 2025

Some halftime thoughts. It's great to see the Republic go even at the halftime. But one thing I've noticed in the tactics is that Jack Gurr again is the main creator for the Republic. Apart from him, who is going to step up and create more attacking opportunities. I think we were all focused on who was going to score the goals, but who's gonna get the ball to them in the first place? Also the speed and agility of the New Mexico frontline is something the Republic were clearly having trouble dealing with. Hopefully, it's just them getting up to speed to start the season.

Well, throw everything I just said out the window because the Republic took the lead to open the second half. Luis Felipe put in a floated cross that was headed off the New Mexico post by Cicerone. Off the rebound, Lewis Jamieson was the first one to act and slotted it away for his first goal with the Republic.

GO, LEWIS! Lewis Jamieson nets his first SRFC goal for the 2-1 lead 😤#SACvNM pic.twitter.com/86XigLOsSv

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 9, 2025

Coach Collins opted for a pair of substitutions in the 68th minute. Cristian Parano and Sebastian Herrera came on to take the places of Blake Willey and Lewis Jamieson.

Another Republic defender went down in the 82nd minute. Lee Desmond came off and was replaced by AJ Edwards. Edwards slotted in as wingback with Gurr moving into a centerback position.

Despite going down to 10 men at the end of the first half, New Mexico continued to bring the fight to the Republic. However, they weren't able to get another decent test on Vitiello. The Republic opened the second half fast and just held on from there. Decent showing from the team, but I still have a couple questions. And there will be a couple more for next match as we are already dealing with two injuries to our backline. It doesn't get easier for our next matchup as the defending champions Colorado Springs pay us a visit. Well, a win on opening night. Couldn't ask for more than that. Onwards Republic!

Key Takeaways:

• Jack Gurr continues to be the focal point of the attack. Will anyone else lighten the load?
• Lee Desmond and Ryan Spaulding go down with injuries. Hopefully, they aren't serious, but what will the backline look like at the next match?
• Will Coach Collins continue to shake up the lineup or will he find a good consistency moving forward?

Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 18 shots, 6 shots on target, 45.1% possession, 6 corners, 0 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

New Mexico United: 1 goal, 11 shots, 4 shots on target, 54.9% possession, 2 corners, 1 offsides, 5 yellow cards, 1 red card.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Lee Desmond (OUT, 82'), Freddy Kleeman, Ryan Spaulding (OUT, 33'), Jack Gurr, Blake Willey (OUT, 68'), Luis Felipe, Nick Ross, Russell Cicerone, Lewis Jamieson (OUT, 68')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Chibi Ukaegbu, AJ Edwards (IN, 82'), Dominik Wanner (IN, 33'), Justin Portillo, Cristian Parano (IN, 68'), Trevor Amann, Sebastian Herrera (IN, 68'), Da'vian Kimbrough

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Check out the stats from this match here!

Image: SacRepublicFC.com