For the second consecutive year, the San Jose Earthquakes will travel to the state capital to face Sacramento Republic FC for a preseason tune-up ahead of the club’s highly-anticipated home opener on March 6. Hoping to continue their winning ways in Sacramento, we take a look at three match storylines ahead of Saturday’s Northern California bout.
Match Info
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Saturday, Feb. 20; 5:00 p.m.
Bonney Field
NOTE: This match will not be streamed. Follow us on Twitter at @SJEarthquakes for live match updates.
All-Time Against Sacramento Republic FC
The Earthquakes have recorded a 3-0-0 all-time record against Sacramento Republic FC. In their first-ever match-up in 2014, Cordell Cato’s second-half tally helped seal a 2-1 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup win at Kezar Stadium for the Quakes. San Jose held Republic FC to a 1-0 shutout win in their 2015 preseason trip to Bonney Field before securing a penalty kick shootout win in the fourth round of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup at Avaya Stadium.
Thompson, Koval, Sherrod Return to Bonney Field
During the 2015 season, midfielders Tommy Thompson and JJ Koval and forward Mark Sherrod were loaned to Sacramento on August 29 for the tail-end of Republic FC’s USL campaign. Thompson recorded a game-winning goal and two assists in two matches, Sherrod scored a goal in six appearances, and Koval started and played 90 minutes in his lone match for Sacramento. Their contributions during the late-season loan spell helped Sacramento secure a USL playoff spot for a second consecutive season.
Homecoming for the Thompson Brothers
For Earthquakes midfielders Tommy and Ty Thompson, Saturday’s match will be a homecoming of sorts, playing in front of family and friends just a few miles away from where they grew up in Granite Bay.
Located 21 miles north of downtown Sacramento, the Thompson brothers transformed the Granite Bay Grizzlies soccer program into one of the top prep sides in the country. Now, the two will share the field once again as members of the Quakes.
“It’s always a pleasure to play in front of family and friends in Sacramento,” Tommy said. “To have the opportunity to do that with your brother is something that very few people can say as a professional.”
