2026 Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC, Monterey Bay FC

The first HellaCup match of the season for Sacramento took place as they welcomed Monterey into town. And the match ended even with one goal apiece for both sides. Sacramento opened the match with Forster Ajago continuing his midweek form as he added another goal to his tally. But Monterey equalized thanks to a quick counterattack, with Wesley Leggett getting the shot past Danny Vitiello. Monterey had a chance to take all three points home with them as a late penalty was awarded, but Danny Vitiello came up big to block the penalty attempt.

Monterey has gotten off to a cold start this season, coming into this contest looking for their first points and first goal. And they will be looking to do that against a Sacramento squad that has yet to concede a goal this season. Monterey opened this season with two losses to Oakland and El Paso. But there was still room to grow as a new marquee signing made his debut for the club in the game against El Paso. Sebastian Lletget made his debut for Monterey in a cameo appearance off the bench. The former United States international will be looking to make an impact in the midfield and turn the tide for Monterey. A former Sacramento midfielder may also show up in this match, as Nick Ross will have the same goal, now being part of Monterey's midfield. But looking up and down the roster, this is a pretty young squad. So, for Monterey and head coach Jordan Stewart, can they develop their young talent and help them reach their potential?

I think it's safe to say Sacramento has had a rough week in the lead-up to this contest. Unlike Monterey, Sacramento had an Open Cup contest in the midweek. There, they faced a tough El Farolito side that dragged the contest into extra time. Sacramento ultimately prevailed thanks to a brace off the bench from Forster Ajago. But plenty of the normal starters for the Republic made appearances in that matchup, including all members of the starting backline. So, many players will face a short turnaround time between then and now, and Coach Collins may need to rotate the squad to keep them healthy. Like Nick Ross, there was a former Monterey player set to play his former squad on the Sacramento roster. Mayele Malango made the move this past offseason up to Sacramento from Monterey and will be looking to dish out a great performance against his former side.

Coach Neill Collins had this lineup for Sacramento:

Tonight's XI ⚔️#SACvMB | TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/TTOf9NerNB

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 22, 2026

Despite the midweek matchup, most of the usual starters claimed their normal spots in this match. The only real difference is Blake Willey getting the start in the midfield in place of Memo Rodriguez, who appeared to have picked up a knock in the El Farolito match. One thing on the bench is that we get to see Aaron Essel, who was recently signed by the Republic, but we haven't seen him on the teamsheet yet.

The match started with a moment of protest from the players as the USL Players Association is still in a dispute with the league over an agreement for the new CBA.

With the way the match opened, you wouldn't think Sacramento had a midweek match a couple of days ago and were working on possibly tired legs. But the Republic was putting on some pressure on the Monterey defense, searching for an early opener. The first chance of the night came to Sacramento in the 13th minute. Arturo Rodriguez won the ball off a sloppy pass from a Monterey defender. He moved up and into the Monterey box, where he took a swing at the goal. Fernando Delgado blocked the shot, and the rebound was eventually cleared out of the box.

Both sides were trying to connect with their strikers via the long ball. Forster Ajago and Ilijah Paul were the main targets for both of these sides, and the main question through the early phases of the match was who could find their striker first?

The rest of the first half saw both teams sending in dangerous balls to try to find their forwards, but for the majority of the time, neither team was successful.

But just before the halftime interval, Sacramento got a pair of dangerous opportunities. The Republic midfield was building up some pressure on the outside of the Monterey box as the ball got to Arturo Rodriguez down the right flank. He sent in a low cross that bounced into the Monterey box. The ball went past Forster Ajago, but it got to Michel Benitez, making a run behind him. He got a diving header onto the ball that kissed the post and went out.

And then in the ensuing possession, Sacramento got some quick passes going down the left with Mayele Malango sending Forster Ajago in on goal. Fernando Delgado came out of his net to get a kick save to put the ball out for a corner kick. The corner kick attempts afterward were blocked and cleared by the Monterey defense, and the referee blew the halftime whistle.

Sacramento had the clear advantage at the halftime break. They held a 62-38 possession advantage and were outshooting Monterey. Monterey has yet to test Danny Vitiello, as they did not register a shot on target in the first half. Both of these teams had similar styles of play. They were trying to play as directly as possible, aiming to create shooting opportunities for their strikers to capitalize on. But Sacramento was doing a great job at pinning back Monterey in their own half, they just needed to convert their chances.

Coach Jordan Stewart brought on Sebastian Lletget at halftime for Monterey.

The second half started with the same minute pause from the players.

Both teams were still finding it difficult to break through into each other's boxes.

But Sacramento got the breakthrough in the 62nd minute. A long ball was played by Danny Vitiello, and Forster Ajago was the one to win the initial ball. Arturo Rogriuguez received the pass and played it back to Ajago as he broke past the Monterey defense. He sprinted in on goal as he only had the keeper to beat. And with his shot, Ajago placed it between the Delgado's legs to give the advantage to the Republic.

The set up. The finish. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/X8kRstWPBp

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) March 22, 2026

Coach Collins made his first substitution of the night in the 68th minute. Pep Casas came on to relieve Blake Willey.

Sacramento were looing to grow their advantage in the 69th minute. Mayele Malango put in a looping cross to Freddy Kleeman at the far post. His shot was put down into the ground and caught by Fernando Delgado.

Coach Collins made a pair of substitutions in the 80th minute just as Ryan Spaulding came close to connecting with Forster Ajago on a low cross. Spaulding and Mayele Malango would come off to be replaced by Chibi Ukaegbu and Dominik Wanner.

And against the run of play, Monterey equalized the match in the 84th minute. As Monterey reset from fending off a Sacramento keeper. Fernando Delgado sent it forward. The ball is flicked on by Riley Bidois and into the path of Wesley Leggett. He already beat his mark and waited for Danny Vitiello to commit to one side as he neatly slotted the ball away in the opposite direction.

Wesley Leggett with the smooth finish.

MBFC 1-1 SAC#forthe831 #MBFCvsSAC pic.twitter.com/U4e7I2oWwy

— Monterey Bay FC (@MontereyBayFC) March 22, 2026

In response, Coach Collins made another substitution as Kyle Edwards stepped on to replace Forster Ajago. This would be the first time this season we see both Edwards and Ajago on at the same time.

Things appeared to be out of Sacramento's hands in the 89th minute as a penalty was awarded to Monterey. Freddy Kleeman dragged Riley Bidois down as he was trying to go up for a cross. But it would be Nick Ross to step up to take the penalty against his former team and try to give Monterey the edge late. And yet he couldn't capitalize. Danny Vitiello stepped up big and got the initial save on Ross' penalty attempt, and the second shot was put off the bar and went out.

𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀 🎬

Danny Vitiello comes up clutch against his former teammate Nick Ross and keeps @SacRepublicFC unbeaten! pic.twitter.com/twgmt0hUn2

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 22, 2026

And the match ended all square at one goal apiece. Pretty unfortunate for the Republic to give up a goal on Monterey's only chance from open play. But this should've been a match where we put up multiple goals on them. But how good is Danny Vitiello? That man saved the match at the death for the Republic and just shows again why he's one of the top keepers of the league. The next match will see Sacramento host El Paso Locomotive. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Sacramento remains unbeaten, but just by a narrow margin. We needed to put this game out of Monterey's hands late in the match.
• Danny Vitiello is just so good.
• Forster Ajago seems to be heating up in form. A brace in the Open Cup. And nearly another brace in this one.

Sacramento Republic FC: 1 goal, 9 shots, 4 shots on target, 58.6% possession, 7 corners, 4 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Monterey Bay FC: 1 goal, 12 shots, 2 shots on target, 41.4% possession, 0 corners, 0 offsides, 0 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Lee Desmond, Freddy Kleeman, Ryan Spaulding (OUT, 80'), Mark-Anthony Kaye, Danny Crisostomo, Mayele Malango (OUT, 80'), Arturo Rodriguez, Blake Willey (OUT, 68'), Forster Ajago (OUT, 85')

Republic FC Bench: Jacob Randolph, Aaron Essel, Luke Strassburg, Chibi Ukaegbu (IN, 80'), Jackson Montero, Dominik Wanner (IN, 80'), Pep Casas (IN, 68'), Da'vian Kimbrough, Kyle Edwards (IN, 85')

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)