Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Javier Arellano

2022 US Open Cup Round 5: Rodrigo Lopez delivers Sacramento Republic long-awaited upset of San Jose Earthquakes

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The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club's 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
The Sacramento Republic celebrate after the club’s 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16 of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Heart Health Park witnessed one of the most thrilling matches in Sacramento Republic FC’s history. For the first time in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the “Indomitable club” defeated MLS side San Jose Earthquakes after three narrow defeats in 2014, 2015 and 2019. 

The San Jose Earthquakes controlled most of the possession in the initial minutes of the game. Breaking the Sacramento backline, firing shots and creating opportunities mainly in the left flank. However, after settling down, Republic FC matched San Jose’s intensity and turned out to be a historic night for the Indomitable Club, beating the MLS side 2-0 on the strength of a goal and an assist by long-time captain Rodrigo Lopez. 

“I thought especially in the last 20 minutes of the first half, we started to take control of the game and looked threatening when we got in their attacking half,” said Sacramento Republic FC head coach Mark Briggs. “I thought we could’ve had one more , forward defending excellently, could’ve been better with the ball, but who cares! It’s a cup game, it’s a one-off game, we won and that’s all I really care about to be quite frankly.” 

The win tonight improves Sacramento Republic FC’s all-time home record to 16-1 in Open Cup play with 11 straight wins, the fourth longest home winning streak of the Modern Era (1995-present).

“The fight that the guys put up tonight was incredible. The crowd was supporting us throughout the whole night, having our back. For me it was a special night,” said Luis Felipe, responsible for scoring the first goal of the night against his former club. Felipe played for San Jose three seasons before being released in 2020. 

Luis Felipe, the former Earthquake, scored the opening goal in the 28th minute off a corner kick. Surrounded by San Jose players right in front goal, he used every inch of his 6’1 frame to head the ball past San Jose goalkeeper Matt Bersano.

“One thing that we put in our head was that we couldn’t be afraid of them, they are MLS but we have a great team and we showed it tonight. We stepped out and showed that we are capable of achieving big things,” he added.

Rodrigo Lopez, who delivered that corner kick to Luis Felipe, was another player that had a stellar performance. And he had a good feeling about the game all along.

“Coming into the stadium I told our trainers today that I felt vibes from 2014/2015,” said Lopez. The 35-year-old captain wrote yet another chapter in the history books for Sacramento Republic by leading them to their first-ever quarterfinal appearance in the US Open Cup with a rocket shot from just outside the box in the 84th minute.

Lopez received a pass on the right wing and saw his defender giving him plenty of space. He timed his run well because as soon as the defender starrted to close in on him, he turned on the jets and blew past him. The Sacramento captain dribbled about 20 yards in and launched his shot as he approached the corner of the penalty area and sent it into the upper 90 at the far post. Bersano got a hand to it but it was hit with such force that it ended up in the back of the net to give the home side a 2-0 lead that they would hold onto until the final whistle.

Reaching the Quarterfinals for the first time is an achievement that is hard to believe hasn’t happened already since Sacramento has been a model of lower division consistency in the tournament. In the club’s seven Open Cup appearances, the Republic have advanced at least twice in each competition every year with the exception of one: their only loss to a non-MLS team, a 3-1 home loss to the Kitsap Pumas (USL League Two) in 2016. Aside from that game, the other five times Sacramento has been eliminated, it was at the hands of a MLS team (3 vs. San Jose, 1 vs. LA Galaxy, 1 vs. LAFC).

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Sacramento has now defeated three Major League Soccer teams with tonight’s win over San Jose. Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders being the other two franchises. 

“I’m really happy. I’m enjoying playing more than any year to be honest, I know it’s toward the end of my career but I’m just trying to enjoy it everyday,” said Lopez. 

The 84th-minute rocket by Rodrigo Lopez’s marks his sixth career US Open Cup goal, which is tied with Tommy Stewart for the most in Sacramento Republic FC history. It was his third goal of the 2022 US Open Cup, which ties him for the tournament lead.

Only nine Modern Era players have scored more goals than Lopez while playing for a second division pro team. None of them are still actively playing.

The Indomitable Club will look to keep their Open Cup run alive on June 21 as they travel to Los Angeles to take on the two-time champion Galaxy and face Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and company in the Quarterfinals. 

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Rodrigo Lopez lifts Sacramento Republic over CV Fuego with 90th min. PK

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Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
Rodrigo Lopez (left) of Sacramento Republic FC celebrates after scoring a goal against Central Valley Fuego in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

Central Valley Fuego FC came into the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a load of confidence. After taking down El Paso Locomotive (USL Championship) in Round 2, Fuego FC battled Sacramento Republic FC in a close match at Heart Health Park. 

For the third time in US Open Cup history, the Indomitable Club was welcoming a Fresno-based professional team to the Golden State’s capitol, curious enough they have all been matchups in the Third Round. In 2014 and 2019, Republic FC came out on top and moved on to the next round. Tonight was no different, with Sacramento coming out with a 2-1 win on the strength of a Rodrigo Lopez penalty kick in the 90th minute.

“When you play cup games, it’s all about winning,” said Mark Briggs, Sacramento Republic FC head coach. “And we’ve won, we’re in the draw tomorrow and that’s all that matters.”

This win did not come easy. 

While Republic dominated in the first half and headed into halftime with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Dan Casey, the second half was a different story. CV Fuego FC came out with a change in attitude and mentality. Martin Vasquez’s side pushed the lines forward and started to attack with a higher frequency. A familiar foe in Villyan Bijev, who spent three seasons in a Sacramento uniform, led the attack for Fuego FC and Republic captain Rodrigo Lopez was aware of that. 

“You saw Villyan Bijev everytime he got the ball in the second half he was a threat,” said Lopez. “We just needed to be a bit more aware, but in the end we did what we had to do and we won, which was the most important thing.” 

The game almost seemed like a chess game between Vasquez and Briggs. The first 15 minutes of the game Fuego FC did not attack, sat back and limited Lopez getting involved.They did a good job closing down space and closing down Luis Felipe and Douglas Martinez Jr. as well. Even then, Republic relied on Keko and Lewis to create chances on goal. The Fuego goalkeeper made three big saves in the first half. 

In the second half, as mentioned, Vasquez modified to a more offensive mindset. Bijev was moved to the left flank instead of in the central part of the field. A turning point came in the 75th minute when Fuego substitute Renato Bustamante came in for Diego Casillas. Last 15 minutes of the game, down 1-0, Vasquez was going for it. His decision paid dividends as Bustamante’s first contact with the ball turned into a goal two minutes later after Bijev beat his defender and crossed the ball in for Renato to hit the back of the net. 

In the dying minutes of regulation, Sacramento pushed numbers forward and Matt LaGrassa drew a penalty kick after being taken down in the box by a CV Fuego defender. The home crowd ignited after the whistle was blown.  

Rodrigo Lopez was the clear choice to take the spot kick. 

“There’s nobody else I would want in those moments,” said Briggs. “We all know what ‘Roro’ brings, his qualities, but the things he does off the field make him an exceptional captain as well. I think he led by example again tonight.” 

The 90th-minute goal was Rodrigo Lopez’s fifth career US Open Cup goal, second-most in Sacramento Republic history.

With this win, Republic FC also extended their home winning streak to eight games, which is the longest active streak and tied for the fourth longest of the Modern Era (1995-present) of the US Open Cup. 

“Hopefully we can get a home game, get this place rocking and hopefully we can beat an MLS team and make some noise in the cup,” Briggs said after the game. “And also show MLS what they’re missing with this club.”

The next day, the Indomitable Club found out that they will, in fact, have a home game in the Fourth Round of the tournament. However, it won’t be against an MLS side. Republic FC will host fellow USL Championship rival Phoenix Rising FC on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Sacramento Republic scores six in first half, cruises to win over Timbers U-23s

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Sacramento Republic Portland Timbers U-23s 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Sacramento Republic celebrate during the club’s game against Portland Timbers U-23s in the Second Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: John Jacobs

USL Championship side Sacramento Republic jumped out to a big lead and never looked back in a 6-0 home win over the Portland Timbers U-23s in the Second Round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Heart Health Park.

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The Timbers ran into a well-oiled machine in the Sacramento Republic. Granted they are a professional USL Championship caliber team, but “cupsets”  can happen anywhere. The Indomitable Club was rigorously all business from the first whistle.

“We started off really quick, the tempo was very good, moving the ball, getting behind. Very pleasing,” said Sacramento Republic FC head coach Mark Briggs. “The first half I was very very happy.”

The quick tempo led to six goals in the first half with five different Sacramento Republic players finding the back of the net. Duke Lacroix netted a brace and ran away with the Man of the Match performance.

“The most important thing was coming out with the right mentality,” Lacroix said. “The coaching staff emphasized all week on having the right mindset and approach to this game, being ruthless in front of goal and keeping the clean sheet.”

Republic checked off all of those boxes and with the win tied their largest margin of victory for the club, which dates back to a 2014 match against the Fresno Fuego that Sacramento also won 6-0.

“I’m a little frustrated we didn’t break , but we tied it,” Lacroix said. “But it’s good to score goals at home, no penalties.”

One of the best things, if not the greatest, is the platform that the U.S. Open Cup provides to lower league players and teams. Portland Timbers U23’s had several players that caught the attention of Briggs during this match.

“I thought the goalkeeper made some great saves and his distribution was very good,” Briggs said. “Obviously I was focused on my team, but a few players caught my eye which is good for them.”

Now Republic FC will wait a few hours to see who their opponent will be in the third round as US Soccer will be hosting the draw tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM PT. The USSF announced that Sacramento will be in a geographic group that includes the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), Central Valley Fuego FC (USL-1), and Bay Cities FC (NISA). As for speculations on who it will be, Briggs is hoping it’s an MLS team.

“It would actually be nice to get an MLS team, but whoever we get we’ve got to put on a show,” he said. “We want to do well in this competition, we want to move to the next round.”

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