2026 Open Cup Match Recap: Valley 559 FC 0, Sacramento Republic FC 4

The league performances might've taken a turn for the worse this past weekend, but the Republic had a shot to rebuild their form with an Open Cup clash against Valley 559 FC. The Republic offense would be firing on all cylinders in this match as they propelled the side to clinch their spot in the next round of the Open Cup. A brace from Kyle Edwards and goals scored from Dominik Wanner and Lee Desmond were the highlights of the night. But Valley 559 put up a fight as they tested Danny Vitiello in net on a couple of occasions.

Despite being an amateur side Valley 559 is not a team to be taken lightly. This team is filled with former USL and MLS talent from some of California's teams. A good amount of players come from Central Valley Fuego. But the standout will be former San Jose Earthquakes player, Quincy Amarikwa. Amarikwa scored the game-winner in the last round against AV Alta. And they will be looking to continue their run into the next round. Valley 559 was coming off a win this past weekend in the UPSL and will be looking to reclaim the title of NorCal South Conference champion. Since their founding in 2021, they have won their conference three times. If you want to read more about this team you can check out my team preview here.

Sacramento was looking to bounce back from this past weekend. The Republic delivered a flat performance, taking their first loss of the season against El Paso. The attack was present in that contest and was creating opportunities, but they couldn't find the finish to put the ball in the back of the net. But the defense looked uncharacteristically clumsy and sloppy in possession. The team will be looking to use this match to return to form ahead of another USL league match on the weekend. Before this match, the Republic announced the addition of two new players to the roster on 25-day contracts. Brandon Cambridge, who last appeared for Charlotte FC, and Sergio Rivas, who last played for New Mexico United, were added to the roster and made available before this match.

Coach Neill Collins brought out this lineup for Sacramento:

Lineup set ✅#VLYvsSAC | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/0zEerxBdsV

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 1, 2026

We got another mixed lineup for this Open Cup contest, as this congested slate of fixtures is working Neill Collins' rotation. In goal was Danny Vitiello as we still have not seen Jacob Randolph between the sticks this season. It will be a mixed backline as Aaron Essel and Chibi Ukaegbu get the starts alongside Lee Desmond and Michel Benitez. The midfield is made up of Willey, Crisostomo, Wanner, and Casas. Brandon Cambridge will also be joining that midfield group as he gets his debut after signing a 25-day contract. And Kyle Edwards gets the start up front for the Republic. A short bench for the Republic, as it was mainly filled with defensive replacements. Sergio Rivas, who also signed a 25-day contract, will look to get his first chance to make a mark from the bench.

After an opening 10 minutes of the teams feeling each other out, Sacramento grabbed the early lead. Michel Benitez put in a corner kick into the Valley box. The ball bounced around for a bit before it found its way to Dominik Wanner on the far end. Wanner put in a looping cross back across the goal. And it was Lee Desmond to rise above the group of players to head it home and give Sacramento the advantage.

A nice header from Lee Desmond gives @SacRepublicFC an early lead! 👊#USOC2026 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/l5yoSo9EDt

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 1, 2026

Sacramento was establishing their possession as the first half went on. Valley was limited to a couple of scattered touches down the flanks as Sacramento kept them pinned in their own half. But Valley 559 broke free and challenged the Republic's goal in the 28th minute. An over-the-top ball floated its way into the Republic box and was cleared only as far as Jose Tovar at the top of the box. He took his chance from that distance and forced Danny Vitiello to dive for the shot, but it hit off the post and eventually got cleared.

And the Republic doubled their lead in the 35th minute as they launched a quick-hitting attack down the left-hand side. A beautiful collection of passes led to Dominik Wanner streaking through on goal. After some beautiful footwork to get past two Valley 559 defenders, Wanner just had the keeper to beat. And he did just that to add to the advantage for Sacramento.

Dominik Wanner stays on his feet, dances through defenders, and slots home @SacRepublicFC's second 😤 pic.twitter.com/2T6GcbQqyx

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 1, 2026

And in the blink of an eye, Sacramento made it three goals to the good. As a lofted ball, from Aaron Essel, went down the right flank and got to Brandon Cambridge, moving past his mark. Looking up and into the box, Cambridge put in a low cross aimed at Kyle Edwards. And Edwards just needed to cleanly hit the shot at the near post to get past Mark Gamez and add to the advantage for the Republic.

Brandon Cambridge and Kyle Edwards link up for @SacRepublicFC's second goal in four minutes 🤝 pic.twitter.com/DtF7W6IkpI

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 1, 2026

Valley 559 nearly got one back before the halftime whistle. A breaking ball was sent past the Republic backline as Lucas Ribeiro got past Chibi Ukaegbu. The shot was good enough to get past an onrushing Danny Vitiello. But Lee Desmond was back there in cover to sweep the ball away off the goal line as he collided with the goal frame.

Lee Desmond lays it all on the line to keep that one out 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Hk4e5QG7T8

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) April 1, 2026

The Republic held a strong advantage at the halftime whistle. Sacramento made the best use of their chances, as they converted three goals from three shots on target. But this scoreline easily could've been different. Valley 559 had a couple of scary chances as they found a couple of ways behind the Republic's backline and tested Danny Vitiello in net. The Republic backline has got to tighten things up as Valley 559 will throw everything at them to find a way back into this match.

Sacramento again was pushing for more goals. And Valley 559 was trying to claw their way back in.

Coach Collins made his first pair of substitutions in the 63rd minute. Forster Ajago and Freddy Kleeman stepped onto the pitch to replace Brandon Cambridge and Lee Desmond.

And the Republic added to their tally in the 64th minute. Some quick passes down the middle of the park led to Dominik Wanner playing a great ball through to Kyle Edwards. Edwards took the ball in stride and neatly slotted it past Mark Gamez to make the lead 4.

A 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 for Kyle Edwards 😎@SacRepublicFC is cruising in the rain with a 4-0 lead!#USOC2026 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/PoGncrg40Q

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) April 1, 2026

Coach Collins made another pair of substitutions in the 71st minute. Jackson Montero and Sergio Rivas both came on to make their Republic debuts and take the places of Danny Crisostomo and Michel Benitez.

Valley 559 continued to get on the scoreboard, but their efforts were in vain as they couldn't get past Danny Vitiello. And the match ended with Sacramento earning their spot in the next round of the Open Cup. A clinical performance from the attack, as some beautiful finishes were required to score tonight. All the credit should go to the goal scorers, of course, but one player who stood out was Brandon Cambridge. His movement off the ball was giving Valley 559 some issues, and if he can consistently play to this level tonight, then he might find a longer-term deal later down the line. The Republic defense was unusually leaky tonight as Valley 559 got past them on a couple of occasions. They were lucky to come away with the clean sheet tonight, but this should be a stark reminder that more lethal attacks will punish you for making those mistakes. Next up for the Republic is back in the league as they host Phoenix! The draw for the Open Cup's third round will happen on April 2 at 9:00 AM ET, broadcast on CBS Golazo Network. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• This is the kind of attacking performance we need to see on a weekly basis. I know it's against UPSL opposition, but we need to be this clinical all the time and put away our chances. Hopefully, this unlocks something in the attack moving forward.
• Brandon Cambridge had a solid performance. I can't complain about someone getting an assist on their debut.
• The Republic defense looked vulnerable tonight. Hopefully, some things are tightened up back there.

Sacramento Republic FC: 4 goals, 13 shots, 5 shots on target, 54% possession, 4 corners, 4 offsides, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Valley 559 FC: 0 goals, 10 shots, 3 shots on target, 46% possession, 4 corners, 2 offsides, 3 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez (OUT, 71'), Lee Desmond (OUT, 63'), Aaron Essel, Chibi Ukaegbu, Blake Willey, Danny Crisostomo, Dominik Wanner, Brandon Cambridge (OUT, 71'), Pep Casas, Kyle Edwards (OUT, 63')

Republic FC Bench: Jacob Randolph, Freddy Kleeman (IN, 63'), Luke Strassburg, Jackson Montero (IN, 71'), Sergio Rivas (IN, 71'), Forster Ajago (IN, 63')

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)