2025 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 3, El Paso Locomotive FC 0

The State Fair was in town and the Republic were looking to get a win in front of the festival crowd, but in their way was an El Paso side that had been running up the table. There were fireworks in the air and fireworks on the pitch as the Republic stepped up to stop the Locomotive, with three goals coming from Sebastian Herrera, Michel Benitez, and Cristian Parano.

After taking the helm of El Paso in May of last year, Wilmer Cabrera has turned the side around from last season. Locomotive finished last season dead last in the Western Conference. But now with a full off-season to prepare, Cabrera has taken the Locomotive to third in the conference heading into this one. Wilmer Cabrera has been lighting it up for El Paso as the club's leading goalscorer, with 10 goals so far in the league, just one goal off from leading the league. Another scoring threat for El Paso, Armando Moreno, was suspended prior to this match for picking up a red card in El Paso's last match. That match saw El Paso lose 1-2 to in-state rivals San Antonio. If there's one weakness in El Paso, it's their defense. The Locomotive have only kept two clean sheets so far in the season, with 22 goals scored against them. The last time these two met came towards the end of last season where Sacramento lost in El Paso 1-2.

Sacramento came into this match looking to prove that they can be consistent and win games against the top opponents in the league. The last match for them was a 2-0 win in Las Vegas to complete the regular season sweep. But we've seen this team dominate that same Las Vegas side and then go on a cold streak. We have proof of concept of Neill Collins' system and tactics, but the club now needs to bring mentality every week. The Republic were in 7th place in the conference heading into this matchday, and with a compressed Western Conference, getting hot and stringing together a couple wins could see the side propel themselves up the table. But on the other hand, going on a similar cold streak like we did during the month of June would see the side lose the progress they've made and slide outside of the playoff spots.

Coach Wilmer Cabrera had this setup for El Paso:

MORE LATE NIGHT LOCOS ✨

Here's our Starting XI against Sacramento Republic FC! The match stream will be available on CBS Sports Golazo Network.#VamosLocos #VamosElPaso pic.twitter.com/asCqtVy1K9

— El Paso Locomotive FC (@eplocomotivefc) July 13, 2025

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Tonight’s starting XI#SACvELP | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/RHvFuWdgc4

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 13, 2025

A similar lineup to the one that had started against Las Vegas. There was one change with AJ Edwards taking the spot of Jack Gurr in the lineup. He isn't listed in the graphic, but Jack Gurr was available off the bench.

There were some early whistles blown in the opening phases of the match. But Sacramento opened the match with some high pressure that pushed El Paso back to within their own territory on the field.

The first chance of the night came to the Republic in the 11th minute. Some quick buildup down the right led to Russell Cicerone and Rodrigo Lopez combining to cut through the El Paso defense. The ball got passed to Nick Ross, making an overlapping run into the Locomotive box. His shot, however, was charged down by El Paso's keeper, Jahmali Waite.

As the match moved towards the halftime break, El Paso was building their way into the match. The Locomotive were finding more possession but couldn't find space past the Republic midfield and were forced to shift the ball back and forth amongst their defenders.

Republic came close in the 40th minute. A great move from AJ Edwards saw him get some space against his mark. He passed the ball back to the top of the El Paso box and Rodrigo Lopez. Roro swung a cross aimed at the far post, where Russell Cicerone was looming and looking to crash in on the ball. His headed attempt was deflected back across the face of the goal by Jahmali Waite. As the ball was bouncing precariously across, Sebastian Herrera was the first on the scene, and he tried to prod the ball across the line. But, his body's position failed him, and he could only apply backspin on the ball as he fell to the ground, and El Paso's defense cleared the ball out.

And just before halftime, Sacramento got the breakthrough to give the Republic an advantage. The ball was won in the midfield by Jared Timmer and Freddy Kleeman. Nick Ross gets the ball to Russell Cicerone. Russell was able to thread the needle between two of El Paso's defenders to get to Michel Benitez, who was looming just outside of Locomotive's box. Benitez passed the ball to Sebastian Herrera, who kept the shot low and out of reach of Jahmali Waite to put it in the bottom corner.

Perfect placement 🤌 pic.twitter.com/Peg8DOrWIo

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 13, 2025

Sacramento went into the half with the advantage. The Republic were the clear aggressors through the first half and constantly put pressure on the El Paso defense. The midfield and defense were doing their job and stepping up when needed to make it hard for the Locomotive to build play going forward. The Republic was able to create plenty of opportunities and would continue to need to do so and convert them to seal this match in the second half.

At halftime, Coach Collins made a substitution with Chibi Ukaegbu coming into the match to replace Freddy Kleeman.

Sacramento opened the second half as they did with the first, on the front foot and not allowing El Paso much space to operate.

El Paso got their first decent shot in the 58th minute. Locomotive was building possession just outside the Sacramento box when Eric Calvillo got on the ball. Calvillo tried his chance from distance and forced Danny Vitiello to make a diving save to stop the shot from nestling into the top corner of the net.

Coach Collins made more substitutions in the 61st minute. Cristian Parano and Jack Gurr stepped in to replace Russell Cicerone and AJ Edwards.

The Republic was forced to make another substitution in the 67th minute. Rodrigo Lopez couldn't continue after a foul, and Luis Felipe took his place.

Danny Vitiello was called upon again in the 72nd minute. Memo Diaz swung in a cross from the right that found Andy Cabrera in the middle of the Republic box amongst a group of Sacramento defenders. He got his foot to the cross and got a shot off from point-blank range. Danny Vitiello stood tall on his line and blocked the chance out, which was then cleared from the box.

72' | Massive save by Vitiello keeps the lead alive! pic.twitter.com/Y8NK0WgpyH

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 13, 2025

And then Sacramento increased the lead in the 75th minute. After a spell of El Paso possession, Sacramento broke through the pressure and got a counterattacking opportunity. The buildup went right down the spine of El Paso's formation with Cristian Parano. The ball was then played to Blake Willey at the top of El Paso's box. Willey put the ball out wide to Michel Benitez, making a surging run up the field. The defender then cut back towards the middle of the park and put a curved effort that lofted for what felt like forever before finding its way into the upper corner of the El Paso net. I'm saying this right now, this might be a goal of the season contender come the end of this one. I was on the edge of my seat at this beautiful effort was in the air just waiting for it to go in.

Bangers only!! pic.twitter.com/vQiP0ZzF8i

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 13, 2025

The Republic was close to a third goal in the 78th minute. The ball was flipped over the El Paso defenders by Sebastian Herrera. It fell to Cristian Parano, making a run in behind the backline, and he got a chance with only the keeper to beat. His shot was on the wrong end of the post as it went out of play.

The final substitution of the night came in the 82nd minute. Blake Willey was taken off the field with Dominik Wanner stepping in to take his place.

And in stoppage time, Sacramento got the final nail in the coffin. Dominik Wanner made an excellent run that spanned half of the pitch and got all the way into El Paso's box. It resulted in a tackle with Sebastian Herrera picking up the scraps. Herrera faked a shot to draw all the attention to himself before unselfishly passing the ball out wide to Cristian Parano. And with an easier angle on net, Parano was able to slot it home.

1✅ 2✅ 3✅

3 goals on the night! pic.twitter.com/hszu5nDsc1

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 13, 2025

And the final whistle came with the Republic earning all three points. The attack did well to create chances throughout the match and apply consistent pressure on El Paso's defense. Shoutout to the defense and Danny Vitiello to limit any opposing opportunities and to come up with some miraculous saves to block any shots that came through. Next up we host Lexington for the first time. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Great overall performance from everyone involved. The attack stepped up and converted their chances. And the defense shut down a potent El Paso frontline.
• Congrats to Neill Collins for 100 career wins in the USL!
• This is the performance we've been needing to see against some of the top teams in the league. Don't look now, but the Republic has won three straight in the league.

Sacramento Republic FC: 3 goals, 9 shots, 4 shots on target, 39.7% possession, 1 corner, 2 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

El Paso Locomotive FC: 0 goals, 7 shots, 2 shots on target, 60.3% possession, 3 corners, 2 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Freddy Kleeman (OUT, HT'), AJ Edwards (OUT, 61'), Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, Blake Willey (OUT, 82'), Russell Cicerone (OUT, 61'), Sebastian Herrera, Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 67')

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Jack Gurr (IN 61'), Chibi Ukaegbu (IN, HT'), Rayan Djedje, Dominik Wanner (IN, 82'), Luis Felipe (IN, 67'), Trevor Amann, Cristian Parano (IN, 61')

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo Credits to Sacramento Republic FC)