June 1, 2025

2025 USL Cup Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 4, Las Vegas Lights FC 0

2025 USL Cup Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 4, Las Vegas Lights FC 0

Sacramento was hoping for a repeat of their last match as they lined up against Las Vegas. And a repeat is what they got. Another clinical performance from the attack saw the Republic put four goals past Las Vegas. This time, it was a completely different set of goalscorers as Ryan Spaulding, Cristian Parano, Michel Benitez, and Russell Cicerone found the back of the net.

Of course, we remember the last time these two met, as it was only two weeks ago. The Sacramento attack opened up and put five goals past Las Vegas in a rout in league play. Since that match, Las Vegas has been on a losing skid. The Lights dropped their last two games to El Paso and Phoenix. That being said, they entered this match at the top of Group 1 in the USL Cup. The Lights had a perfect record, winning both matches played in the cup. They notched their wins against Orange County and AV Alta of USL League One.

Sacramento had been on a bye last week between this match and their previous one. But it seemed that the squad had finally turned a corner, and Neill Collins' system was finally clicking. With players like Nick Ross and Rodrigo Lopez returning to get consistent minutes, the Republic midfield was able to control the match. I'd expect Las Vegas to come into this match with adjustments, but the Sacramento counter-press should again prove vital for Sacramento's success. The ability of the forwards and midfielders to get forward and not allow Las Vegas any time on the ball was useful in generating chances for the Republic.

Coach Antonio Nocerino had this lineup for Las Vegas:

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Tonight's starting XI vs Las Vegas ⚽

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— Sacramento Republic FC (@sacrepublicfc.com) May 31, 2025 at 6:40 PM

Despite getting an excellent result against Las Vegas last time out, Coach Collins made a couple of changes in the lineup. Jared Mazzola got the start in between the sticks. Ryan Spaulding started the match as the left wingback. This pushed Michel Benitez towards the middle of the formation in the midfield. And Russell Cicerone returned from injury to get the start in the frontline. 

It was a lively start to the match, with both sides getting early chances to test the keepers in the first 10 minutes. Las Vegas got a shot via Nighte Pickering that Jared Mazzola caught. And Cristian Parano got an attempt off for Sacramento that Nicholas Ammeter handled.

Sacramento was able to find possession deep in Las Vegas territory. But there were some tactical adjustments at play that stopped the Republic from finding the back of the net.

Las Vegas got a chance in the 29th minute with Nighte Pickering breaking away from the Sacramento backline. He got free of his mark and dribbled into the Sacramento box. Jared Mazzola moved up to meet the striker and got a hand to the low shot to stop the chance.

Sacramento was building opportunities in the 35th minute. First, Lewis Jamieson got a chance just outside the top of the Las Vegas box. His low-driven effort was put out by Ammeter and out for a corner kick.

Then, off the corner kick, Lewis Jamieson put the ball into the Las Vegas box. It was Ryan Spaulding who ended up being the recipient as he put the ball on his right foot. And from point-blank range, Sacramento gained the advantage.

And just before you could compose yourself from the celebration, Sacramento doubled their advantage. Lewis Jamieson again was the catalyst as he passed the ball to Cristian Parano. The winger dribbled into the Las Vegas box and made a couple of moves to get some space from his mark. His shot beat Ammeter to his near post and into the back of the net.

Las Vegas were looking for some response going into the break. They nearly got one in the 41st minute. Gennaro Nigro served up a great corner kick into the Sacramento box. Nate Jones got on the end of it, but the headed effort was straight at Jared Mazzola.

Sacramento held the advantage, however, when the whistle blew for the halftime interval. For the opening phase of the match, Las Vegas looked improved on the defensive end as Sacramento's attack was stifled outside the Lights' box. However, the Sacramento attack was able to find their breakthrough and capitalized quickly to build up a multi-goal advantage. The Lights have appeared more threatening going forward with Nighte Pickering, so the defense and Jared Mazzola had to remain on top of their game to maintain the clean sheet.

Sacramento were looking to add more to their advantage coming out of the break. In the 47th minute, Sacramento was stringing some passes in and around the Las Vegas box. The ball got to Ryan Spaulding down the left-hand side as he put in a cross. The cross was deflected by a Las Vegas defender, but it still found its way to Cristian Parano. 

Las Vegas got a chance via another breakaway in the 50th minute. This time, it was Vaughn Covil dribbling in on the Sacramento box. And agai,n Jared Mazzola stepped up to meet the striker and dived to block the shot.

Sacramento was pressing the Las Vegas defense in the 51st minute. First, a stellar ball from Jack Gurr over the top got to Lewis Jamieson. The striker did well against his mark. He megged his defender and got an opportunity, but he ended up putting it off the crossbar of the Las Vegas goal.

And then, in the next spell of possession for the Republic, Michel Benitez added to the advantage. Russell Cicerone played a simple through ball into the midfielder. Benitez's run took him past the Las Vegas backline and into a clear opportunity onto the Las Vegas net. Ammeter came out to try and block the chance, but the best he could do was get a hand on it, which was not enough to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.

The first substitution for the Republic was made in the 56th minute. Lewis Jamieson appeared to go down with an injury and was replaced by Sebastian Herrera.

Russell Cicerone unexpectedly got a goal on his own in the 58th minute. Jack Gurr played a ball to Cicerone at the top of the Las Vegas box. Cicerone took a touch and fired a shot across his body and towards the opposite post but into the net.

Coach Collins made a pair of substitutions in the 64th minute. Rodrigo Lopez and Dominik Wanner stepped onto the field to take the places of Russell Cicerone and Ryan Spaulding.

Las Vegas were looking to get a consolation goal in the 72nd minute. Johnny Rodriguez got a shot from outside the Sacramento box. The shot went off the crossbar and back into play, then was cleared by the Sacramento defense.

Coach Collins had another pair of substitutions for the Republic in the 75th minute. Da'vian Kimbrough and AJ Edwards came on to replace Cristian Parano and Jack Gurr.

Las Vegas were trying to find anything from this match, but they ended up empty-handed. Sacramento again just hammered Las Vegas with another clinical attacking performance. And a completely different set of goal scorers compared to the last match, which is wild. It looks like the Republic is finally hitting their stride as we head into the summer. Next up, we are back in the league as we host FC Tulsa. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

  • Can we play Las Vegas every week? Or at least play with the mentality we are playing Las Vegas every week because that would be amazing.
  • Shoutout to Jared Mazzola for keeping the clean sheet. He came up with a pair of critical saves.
  • Ok, I really need to see this system against a different opponent because it seems to be the perfect counter to Las Vegas.

Sacramento Republic FC: 4 goals, 12 shots, 6 shots on target, 44.3% possession, 4 corners, 1 offsides, 0 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Las Vegas Lights FC: 0 goals, 14 shots, 5 shots on target, 55.7% possession, 2 corners, 1 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Jared Mazzola, Michel Benitez, Freddy Kleeman, Lee Desmond, Jared Timmer, Jack Gurr (OUT, 75'), Ryan Spaulding (OUT, 64'), Nick Ross, Lewis Jamieson (OUT, 56'), Russell Cicerone (OUT, 64'), Cristian Parano (OUT, 75')

Republic FC Bench: Danny Vitiello, AJ Edwards (IN, 75'), Chibi Ukaegbu, Dominik Wanner (IN, 64'), Luis Felipe, Rodrigo Lopez (IN, 64'), Trevor Amann, Sebastian Herrera (IN, 56'), Da'vian Kimbrough (IN, 75')

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)

 

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Riyan Lacara

All Is Quail Blog Author/Co-Host

The β€œnumbers 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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