Lewis' Sacramento Republic Teammates Advance to Final
IslandStats.com
A historic night at Heart Health Park finished with a storybook ending as Zeiko Lewis’ Sacramento Republic FC teammates defeated Sporting Kansas City in Kicks From The Penalty Mark to punch their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup Final in Orlando, Florida.
After 120 minutes of scoreless play, the contest was decided at the penalty spot. Danny Vitiello came up clutch to keep USMNT veteran Graham Zusi out of the net on Sporting’s 5th attempt of the shootout before Rodrigo Lopez came up and sealed the deal.
Republic FC’s victory advances the club to the U.S. Open Cup Final for the first time – marking the first appearance for a lower division club in the tournament’s deciding game since Charleston Battery in 2008. The match will take place at Orlando City SC’s Exploria Stadium in September.