BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Michel Benitez scored from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to earn Sacramento Republic FC a 1-1 draw on the road against Brooklyn FC at Maimonides Park on Tuesday night after Markus Anderson had put the hosts ahead in the first half.
Brooklyn had an early opportunity when Stefan Stojanovic broke onto a ball over the top into the penalty area but was denied by Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello after navigating past a covering defender. The hosts went ahead in the 27th minute, however, when a ball to the top of the box fell nicely for Markus Anderson, opening a chance to shoot home to the right corner.
Sacramento came into the game more as the first half concluded and had a chance to equalize nine minutes into the second half when Blake Willey hit a half-volley from 20 yards that was saved by BKFC goalkeeper Jackson Lee. Brooklyn went close to doubling its lead midway through the second half as Abdoulaye Kanté had an effort tipped over before Sacramento rang the crossbar through Michel Benitez with 13 minutes to go with a fierce half-volley from just outside the box.
After Sacramento applied pressure, though, the visitors forced a penalty kick in stoppage time as Jack Gurr was brought down in the box by BKFC’s Gabriel Alves, who was sent off for his second yellow card of the night. Benitez stepped up and sent Lee the opposite way, slotting home to the left side of the net to grab a point for the visitors.
Takeaways
Brooklyn FC – The hosts were on the verge of a second consecutive home victory against one of the USL Championship’s perennial contenders before Gabriel Alves’ mistimed challenge on Jack Gurr in stoppage time handed the visitors a lifeline. While the result will be a disappointment for BKFC, the competitiveness the side showed offers another positive sign for its potential this season.
Sacramento Republic FC – The visitors wrested control of the game away from the hosts after a slow start, ending the night with more than 60 percent of possession as their pressure in the attacking half delivered a late opportunity from the spot that Michel Benitez converted, making him the first player with multiple goals for the side in league play this season.