2026 Open Cup Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 0(8), Minnesota United 0(9)

Sacramento would be putting their reputation and home record in the Open Cup on the line again in this third round clash against Minnesota United. Sacramento drug this contest all the way to a penalty shootout, but Minnesota prevailed after going 12-rounds.

Minnesota were coming into this match looking to continue their recent tour of California. They have been on a West Coast swing that has seen them notch wins against the Galaxy and San Diego ahead of this one. Minnesota qualified for this tournament after not making it to the playoffs last season. This would mark the first-ever matchup between these two sides. If you want to read more about this Minnesota United side and how Sacramento should've handled them, you can read my match preview here.

After suffering their first loss of the season, Sacramento rebuilt their form in the leadup to this one. Sacramento got to this match after dispatching the NPSL's El Farolito and the UPSL's Valley 559. The Republic also won against Phoenix Rising before an average performance away to Las Vegas brought them down to Earth. Sacramento has built up a reputation in this competition of being giant killers, pulling off upsets against MLS opposition. And they were looking to pull another one against Minnesota.

Coach Cameron Knowles had this lineup for Minnesota:

How we’re lining up for the Cup@allianzlife | #MNUFC pic.twitter.com/tZ0Prqtyp7

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) April 15, 2026

Coach Neill Collins made this selection for Sacramento:

Tonight's lineup#SACvsMIN | @TiemannLawFirm pic.twitter.com/wpaxycYZrE

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 15, 2026

Looked mostly like a first-choice lineup for Neill Collins as there were a couple changes from the last match against Las Vegas. Ryan Spaulding returned to a starting capacity as he would occupy one of the winger spots. On the opposite would be Mayele Malango getting his first start after returning from international duty. In the middle of the park, Pep Casas got the start. As it appeared that Mark-Anthony Kaye may have picked up a knock prior to halftime in the Las Vegas game. And Forster Ajago would lead the line for the Republic.

In terms of the Minnesota lineup, there were only two regular starters on the field to start this match. Owen Gene in the midfield and Morris Duggan were those two regular starters. But all eyes would be at the top of the formation as James Rodriguez would get his first start this season for Minnesota in this contest.

The opening couple of minutes was filled with stress testing from both sides. Each side wanted to see what the other was capable of and how they would approach the match. Both teams did look threatening in possession but weren't able to get a solid shot in this opening 15 minutes. Minnesota was really challenging early on the press and were trying to find some success down the wide channels.

Sacramento was having to endure some long spells of possession from Minnesota. But their best way forward was down the left with Mayele Malango being sprung forward or Forster Ajago getting on the end of a long ball.

First shot of the night came to Minnesota in the 30th minute. The Loons drove down the middle of the park with some quick passes to get past the Republic's defenders. Mamadou Dieng got the end of the passes and turned to look at goal. His low, driven effort didn't trouble Danny Vitiello as he fell on the ball and stopped the opportunity.

Sacramento tried their luck as they got their first shot on target in the 39th minute. The Republic broke from the Minnesota pressure as Forster Ajago ran down the field. He sent a cross to Michel Benitez going down the opposite flank and was lockated a few yards outside of Minnesota's box. He took a touch and drilled a low shot at the Minnesota goal. But Alec Smir scooped the shot up and ended the move for the Republic.

All things were square as the sides entered the halftime break. Sacramento was giving a taste of what they've seen this season as they sat in a narrow low-block and broke out on quick counterattacks. Sacramento was sitting in a 4-2-4 when off the ball and were forcing Minnesota to try and negotiate that busy front line of confrontation. There were a couple of dangerous moments from Minnesota as they got a couple chances to test the Republic backline. But Sacramento seemed content in the first half to sit back, absorb pressure, and lean on your defenders to carry you through.

Sacramento were finding their footing in the second half as they were able to get more chances going forward and test that Minnesota defense.

Coach Collins made his first substitution in the 62nd minute. Dominik Wanner came on to replace Mayele Malango.

Minnesota came close as a cross from Joaquin Pereyra went into the Sacramento box. Mamadou Dieng got a head to the ball and the attempt bounced off the post and out.

Coach Collins made another substitution in the 78th minute. An attacking sparkplug in Arturo Rodriguez was put onto the pitch to replace Pep Casas. And then afterwards, Chibi Ukaegbu was asked to step in to replace Blake Willey who looked to have gone down with an injury. Chibi took the right back spot, and shifted Aaron Essel into the defensive midfield.

The game opened up as it marched into stoppage time. Minnesota was pushing for a late winner but Sacramento was able to match their opportunity and cut out more of the dangerous balls. One chance fell to Minnesota before the whistle to end regulation. A free kick was deflected back out to the top of the Republic box. The ball fell to Joaquin Pereyra whose driven effort was caught by Danny Vitiello.

At the start of extra time, Coach Collins made another change. Brandon Cambridge came on to replace Ryan Spaulding.

Danny Crisostomo appeared to have picked up a knock and tried giving it a go to start extra time. But he was pulled off a couple minutes in to be replaced by Sergio Rivas.

The first half of extra time was spent mostly in the Republic half as Minnesota was trying to find a way past the compact Republic defense. They nearly broke through in the 104th minute. Tomas Chancalay winded up and let a shot fly from distance that was parried away by Danny Vitiello. The rebound fell to Anthony Markanich as he tried to score but his shot was caught by Vitiello as well.

Sacramento had the best shot of the night by a wide margin in the 115th minute. Arturo Rodriguez navigated his way past a hoard of Minnesota defenders and connected with Dominik Wanner in the middle of the box. Wanner moved to point-blank range and took his shot but aimed it right at Alec Smir and eventually cleared out.

The teams couldn't decide on a winner after extra time, so we went to a penalty shootout.

IThe shootout went to 12 rounds. Both Danny Vitiello and Alec Smir came up with a couple of saves. Both sides had chances to win it before we got to the 12th round. But the shootout went all the way around past the keepers, where Dominik Wanner missed his penalty and sent Minnesota through to the next round.

And so ends the Republic's campaign in the Open Cup this year. Damn, we had a fighting chance to move to the next round. The club did what they needed to do and put themselves in a position to win the match with the shootout. And they nearly did. But they couldn't seal it. There were some positives with this match. We can go toe-to-toe with MLS opposition, granted a majority of the match was played with the Minnesota reserves. But, once some of their starters came on, Sacramento still stood their ground. Now we need to carry that energy into the league and into the USL Cup. We can fight with the best of them and this contest proved that. We get a long break after this one before we travel to Brooklyn. Onwards!

Key Takeaways:

• Pick yourselves back up. Y'all fought a great fight. Time to focus on the league.
• Our defense looked organized throughout the contest. Let's carry that back into league play and shutout the rest of our opponents.
• Danny Vitiello gave us opportunties to win it and we couldn't make the most of them.

Sacramento Republic FC: 0 goals, 9 shots, 2 shots on target, 34% possession, 5 corners, 2 offsides, 4 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Minnesota United: 0 goals, 16 shots, 5 shots on target, 66% possession, 5 corners, 1 offside, 2 yellow cards, 0 red cards.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Michel Benitez, Lee Desmond, Freddy Kleeman, Aaron Essel, Blake Willey (OUT, 80'), Danny Crisostomo (OUT, 92'), Ryan Spaulding (OUT, EOR'), Pep Casas (OUT, 78'), Mayele Malango (OUT, 62'), Forster Ajago

Republic FC Bench: Jacob Randolph, Dominik Wanner (IN, 62'), Chibi Ukaegbu (IN, 80'), Sergio Rivas (IN, 92'), Brandon Cambridge (IN, EOR'), Arturo Rodriguez (IN, 78'), Kyle Edwards

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Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)