2025 USL Cup Recap: Orange County SC 1, Sacramento Republic FC 0

Sacramento looked to strengthen their position in USL Cup group play as they traveled down to Orange County. It would be another last-second goal from Pedro Guimaraes that saw Orange County claim all three points and help them stay alive in the cup.

Orange County was in a similar position in league play to the Republic, as they were one spot below Sacramento in 9th. But in terms of the group, the two teams were on opposite ends. Orange County had not registered a point in this competition coming into this game and were last in the group. The previous matches in the competition were a 1-3 loss to Las Vegas and a 2-3 loss to Monterey. Sacramento has already seen Orange County this season in the league. The result of that game was a 2-1 win for Orange County at home. A Sebastian Herrera goal was not enough to overcome some mistakes in the back that allowed Orange County to secure the win.

It was an up-and-down week for Sacramento. In the midweek, some more late-game shenanigans saw them lose  0-1 to Birmingham with the goal coming on the last kick of the game. But then, after a short turnaround time, the team showed up in Rhode Island to win 2-0. There were some tactical shifts made in between those matches that resulted in the win in Rhode Island. The team can win these games; it's just a matter of bringing that consistency to each match. We've seen them shut out opponents, and we've seen them fall flat this season. Can the team work out these kinks and perform to their fullest week in and week out? A win in this one wouldn't automatically send Sacramento to the knockouts, but it would put them on the verge. They would need to see how results went in the other matches to see where they stood heading into the final matchday.

Coach Danny Stone had this squad set up for Orange County:

The youngest XI in club history takes the field tonight. Time to rep the County 👊#ForCounty 🍊 pic.twitter.com/uVEU1OSxxM

— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) June 29, 2025

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Starting XI ⚔️ #OCvSAC

[image or embed]

— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.com) June 28, 2025 at 6:22 PM

Minimal changes for the Republic from their win against Rhode Island. Jared Mazzola was the starting keeper as the trend for cup games continues. And Ryan Spaulding gets the start in the backline in place of Freddy Kleeman. Michel Benitez would also start in the defensive unit, but seemed to have the freedom to move into the midfield when needed.

Both teams were finding space down the wide channels as they tried to get an early breakthrough. Sacramento was coming out with an aggressively high line of confrontation that was constricting Orange County deep in their own space.

Orange County got the first real opportunity in the 22nd minute. The ball was played down the Orange County left and got to Lyam MacKinnon. The forward dribbled into space and put in a low cross that went across the Sacramento box. Bryce Jamieson was at the end of the sequence and failed to keep his shot low as it went off the bar and out.

There weren't a whole lot of other opportunities in the rest of the first half. Sacramento held more possession of the ball and were putting plenty of balls in the Orange County box, but none were able to find their targets. Orange County had the best chance of the half with Bryce Jamieson, but spent a lot of time in a defensive posture. Both sides were doing a good job so far as snuffing out attacking opportunities, and it will be a question of who breaks first in the second half.

Coach Collins made a substitution at halftime. Dominik Wanner took the place of Ryan Spaulding.

Luis Felipe had a pair of opportunities early in the second half. The first came from a free kick put in by Rodrigo Lopez. The headed chance was put wide of the target. And then in the next attack, some great buildup down the right-hand side had Cristian Parano put in a low cross into the Orange County box. Rodrigo Lopez led the ball roll past him into Luis Felipe, but he couldn't keep the shot low enough as it sailed over the bar.

Coach Collins looked to freshen the attack in the 66th minute. Sebastian Herrera took to the pitch in place of Rodrigo Lopez.

Bryce Jamieson got another chance for Orange County in the 73rd minute. He was played in and got some space to dribble in towards the Sacramento box. Jamieson took his man on and drove his shot to the left. It forced Jared Mazzola to make a diving save to deflect the ball out for a corner kick.

The gam was going deep into regulation when Sacramento had a free kick opportunity. Michel Benitez stepped up to take the set piece in the 85th minute just outside the Orange County box. It was a solid effort to get the shot up and over the Orange County wall and keep it on target. But it was an even better effort by Tetsuya Kadono to come over and block the opportunity.

And just as it looked like we were going to settle in for a penalty shootout, Orange County found the dagger. The home side was setting up the attack on the right-hand side and drew in the defense. A quick cross across the face of the Sacramento box got to Pedro Guimaraes as he took a touch into the box. He took one more touch and neatly slotted it away past the reach of Jared Mazzola.

Pedro with the game winner 👏 #ForCounty 🍊 pic.twitter.com/Cd8ShWEvjt

— Orange County SC (@orangecountysc) June 29, 2025

It would be Orange County that took all three points and kept their hopes of advancing out of the group alive with this result. It was a physical midfield battle that resulted in only a handful of clear-cut scoring opportunities. Another case of Sacramento having the majority of possession, but their opponent looking the most lethal. The club just wasn't creative enough, and when a chance did fall to them, they weren't able to capitalize. All to play for in the cup. And the next match is the Las Vegas Lights. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Man, what is it with the last-second goals with this team? The defense was pulled too far to one side of the field and was punished by a quick switch to the opposite flank.
• The team was physical and was willing to attack, but then let their foot off the gas when in the final third.
• This was a match the Republic needed to solidify their position in the group. Going to have to go all out against Spokane.

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 10 shots, 1 shot on target, 53.5% possession, 5 corners, 0 offsides, 5 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Orange County SC: 1 goal, 6 shots, 3 shots on target, 46.5% possession, 1 corner, 0 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Jared Mazzola, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Jack Gurr, Ryan Spaulding (OUT, HT'), Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, Luis Felipe, Russell Cicerone, Cristian Parano, Rodrigo Lopez (OUT, 66')

Republic FC Bench: Danny Vitiello, AJ Edwards, Freddy Kleeman, Rayan Djedje, Dominik Wanner (IN, HT'), Blake Willey, Sebastian Herrera (IN, 66')

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

Follow me on Bluesky (@allisquail.bsky.social) for live match coverage and more!

Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo Credits to Sacramento Republic FC)