Oct. 2, 2025

2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, Orange County SC 1

2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, Orange County SC 1

We had a midweek match on our hands as both Sacramento and Orange County were vying to help their position in the table. The visiting Orange County side had a penalty awarded and converted. But goals from Dominik Wanner and Khori Bennett were what gave Sacramento the win, and clinched the Republic's spot in the postseason.

Orange County was trying to put together a run late this season to get themselves on the right side of the playoff cutoff line. They entered this match just one point behind the final playoff place, currently held by Colorado Springs. And with two games in hand on the Switchbacks, they were looking to convert this one into three points. The Orange County team was having a rough stretch heading into this match, as they had gone winless since the middle of August, with their last win coming 1-0 against Colorado Springs. Since then, it has been six matches of mixed results, three draws and three losses. The last one was a 2-2 draw against Charleston. This match would be the third time these two clubs have met this season, as Orange County won them both. The first match came early in the season, with Orange County walking away with a 2-1 win. And then in the USL Cup, a late goal gave Sacramento their only loss in that competition, with Orange County winning 1-0.

Sacramento was coming off a dismal loss on the road against fellow Northern California rival Monterey. On the night, the Sacramento attack looked lifeless as Monterey was able to get through the defense and capitalize on their opportunity. This is the performance you don't want to see if you are a Sacramento fan heading into a critical matchweek. There was a missed opportunity to catch up to first-place Tulsa and separate yourself from the chasing pack in the Western Conference. This match would be the game-in-hand that Sacramento had on Tulsa, as Sacramento was looking to close up the six point gap with this one.

Coach Danny Stone brought this lineup for Orange County:

Coach Neill Collins had this selection for Sacramento:

Coach definitely had his eyes on the cup final looming on the horizon when setting the lineup for this one. A heavily rotated squad was called upon to take on Orange County, as there were only four players that have been usual starters in this one. For the first time this season, I'm going to run through the full lineup in this section just for this. Danny Vitiello remained at keeper. But the backline consisted of Jared Timmer, Cody Baker, and Chibi Ukaegbu. Good to see Jared Timmer returning from injury and working his way back into the squad. The wingbacks were slated to be AJ Edwards and Ryan Spaulding. The midfield pairing would be Luis Felipe and Justin Portillo. And the starting Republic frontline was Dominik Wanner, Blake Willey, and Lewis Jamieson.

The first chance of the night came in the 4th minute for Sacramento. Dominik Wanner received the ball down the wing and got a step on his man to dribble towards the Orange County net. Colin Shutler came out to deflect the shot. The rebounded ball fell to Blake Willey in the middle of the box, but his shot went over the bar.

And the Republic snatched an early lead in the 7th minute. The Republic had the ball off a throw-in as AJ Edwards launched the ball into the Orange County box. The ball wasn't cleared properly as it bounced back only as far as Blake Willey. Willey tried his luck from range and kept his shot low as it got through the Orange County defense and to Colin Shutler. The opposing keeper could only manage a deflection as it fell to Dominik Wanner lurking nearby. And Wanner was first to the ball and slotted it home for the Republic.

Orange County was building their way in the match. They had a couple of chances come from the left side with the same dangerous crosses being put in the Sacramento box. They couldn't find their strikers but were coming close.

One chance for Orange County came in the 26th minute. Some beautifully quick passing down the middle of the park led to Cameron Dunbar running behind the Republic's defense. He got his shot just inside the Republic box, but it curved wide of the post.

Sacramento got another chance just before the halftime break. Luis Felipe won the ball and forced a turnover in the midfield. He passed the ball off to a sprinting Dominik Wanner heading towards the Orange County box. He took his shot from distance and forced Colin Shutler into making a save, and got a corner for the Republic.

At halftime, the teams went into the break with Sacramento holding the advantage. A great start for the Republic led to Dominik Wanner capitalizing on an opportunity. But since then, the possession arrow has pointed towards Orange County as they've gotten a hold of themselves in this match. They were able to generate opportunities and get themselves in dangerous positions, but had no shots on target in the first half. This rotated squad of Sacramento will have to hold out against an Orange County onslaught heading their way in the second half if they want to come out of this game with a result.

Coach Collins made a substitution at halftime to strengthen up the backline. Lee Desmond took to the field in the second half to replace Jared Timmer.

A penalty was awarded to Orange County in the 52nd minute. An Orange County cross was put into the Sacramento box and went off the head of Cameron Dunbar. On the way down, the ball deflected off the right arm of Chibi Ukaegbu, and that's what was called for the penalty. There can be some argument as to whether the arm was in a "natural position" or if it was "ball to arm." Anyway, the call couldn't be reversed as it was Ethan Zubak to step up for Orange County. Zubak sent Danny Vitiello the wrong way to equalize the game.

Another substitution was made in the 59th minute. Michel Benitez's number was called, and he took Ryan Spaulding's place.

A pair of substitutions was called on in the 71st minute. Lewis Jamieson and Dominik Wanner were to be replaced by Khori Bennett and Cristian Parano.

And Cristian Parano nearly had an instant impact in the 76th minute. The winger made a marauding run forward down the middle when he laid the ball off to Luis Felipe. Felipe then scooped the ball over the top of the Orange County defense and back to Parano. And then Parano chested the ball down to himself and swung at it instantly, which forced Colin Shutler into another save before the rebound was cleared for a corner kick.

The final substitution was made in the 83rd minute. AJ Edwards stepped off the field to make way for Jack Gurr.

And the Republic found the winner in the 87th minute. The hustle play from Jack Gurr sees the defender beat his man to the ball and get a cross into the Orange County box. The low cross made its way through the Orange County defenders and to Khori Bennett in the middle of the box. And all Bennett had to do was tap the ball past Colin Shutler and into the back of the net.

And it was Sacramento with the late winner this time to get all three points. And thanks to this win, the Republic has secured their place in the postseason. It was a gritty performance against a team that is fighting for their stake in the playoffs. But the rotated squad came out to impress, and that's what they did. Dominik Wanner got the early lead. Blake Willey had a couple of great moments on the ball. And then the reinforcements brought on helped seal the win. Great team performance right before a big game on the weekend. Next up is the USL Cup final against Hartford! Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

  • The Republic have secured their place in the postseason.
  • The depth of the Republic bench was on display tonight with impressive performances from Wanner and Willey.
  • A much-needed momentum builder right before a cup final and the final stretch of the regular season.

Sacramento Republic FC: 2 goals, 13 shots, 7 shots on target, 44.0% possession, 5 corner, 0 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Orange County SC: 1 goal, 14 shots, 2 shots on target, 56.0% possession, 5 corner, 1 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Jared Timmer (OUT, HT'), Dominik Wanner (OUT, 71'), Cody Baker, Chibi Ukaegbu, Ryan Spaulding (OUT, 59'), AJ Edwards (OUT, 83'), Blake Willey, Justin Portillo, Luis Felipe, Lewis Jamieson (OUT, 71')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Michel Benitez (IN, 59'), Freddy Kleeman, Lee Desmond (IN, HT'), Jack Gurr (IN, 83'), Nick Ross, Russell Cicerone, Khori Bennett (IN, 71'), Cristian Parano (IN, 71')

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)

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Riyan Lacara

All Is Quail Blog Author/Co-Host

The โ€œnumbers guyโ€, 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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