Working Title: Area Pro Player Recap
(Image courtesy of Sacramento Republic FC)
Before I insert a title for each post in the website editor I use, it gives me the option to "add an engaging title." Let's call this one a work in progress for now, I clearly mailed this one in as I just wanted to focus on getting into a weekly routine for this space.
Welcome to the first of my new series recapping the progress of professional soccer players with roots in the Sacramento area. Much like Steven Goff's American's Abroad pieces or Indomitable City Soccer's alumni report, every Monday I'll keep you up to date on how local products fared over the weekend in their pro leagues.
For starters, I've only selected players who are playing in the top three divisions in the United States. I may decide to change this later. I may not. Players with both local high school and college ties are included. For now, this may not be a comprehensive list, so if I'm missing anyone, please drop me a line. Note: stats include all competitive fixtures.
I'll also highlight one player each week to go more in depth on. This week's player is Cameron Iwasa, the 2011 Jesuit graduate who is making a name for himself at Sacramento Republic FC.
After only scoring two goals in all competitions for the Republic in his rookie season last year, Iwasa scored two goals Saturday night to lead the Republic to a 3-2 victory over Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. The pair of strikes gave Iwasa six total goals in 2016, the most on the club.
Four of Iwasa's goals this season have come in the past seven matches for Sacramento, where the club has tied its second-longest ever unbeaten streak with a 5-0-2 record.
"We've been on a very good run, we're hot right now," Iwasa told reporters after the match. "We've shown a lot of confidence on the field, there's a lot of confidence in the locker room. When we step out here, we believe we can win any game, we expect to win every time."
Iwasa's first goal, a 25-yard left footed laser off the post, was the fastest goal in Republic history, coming just 38 seconds into the match. His goal in the second half, a snap down header off a corner kick, was the first Republic USL goal off a corner since 2014.
Here's how other Sacramento-area pros fared over the weekend:
Major League Soccer
Miguel Aguilar (D.C. United, Encina High)
The midfielder started and played 66 minutes in D.C.’s 4-3 penalty kick loss to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers after a 0-0 draw in regular and extra time Wednesday. Aguilar was not in the 18 for United’s 0-0 draw at the Houston Dynamo Saturday. Season: 7 games, 0 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists.
Quincy Amarikwa (San Jose Earthquakes, UC Davis)
The forward was not in the 18 for San Jose’s 2-0 Open Cup loss at the Portland Timbers Tuesday, then started and played 90 minutes in San Jose’s 2-2 draw at Orlando City Saturday. Season: 11 games, 11 starts, 1 goal, 3 assists.
Jalil Anibaba (Houston Dynamo, Davis High)
The defender was not in the 18 for Houston’s 4-0 Open Cup victory vs. San Antonio FC Wednesday, then started and played 90 minutes in Houston’s 0-0 draw vs. D.C. United Saturday. Season: 11 games, 10 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist.
Connor Hallisey (Sporting Kansas City, Granite Bay High)
The midfielder/forward started and played 120 minutes in Kansas City’s 2-1 victory at Minnesota United Wednesday, then played 90 minutes in Kansas City’s 2-0 victory vs. FC Dallas Sunday. Season: 10 games, 9 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist.
Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas, Granite Bay High)
The midfielder/defender was not in the 18 in Dallas’ 6-5 penalty kick victory vs. Oklahoma Energy FC after a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time Wednesday, nor was he in the 18 in Dallas’ 2-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City Sunday. Season: 14 games, 13 starts, 2 goals, 0 assists.
Adam Jahn (San Jose Earthquakes, Sacramento Republic FC, Jesuit High)
The forward started and played 90 minutes in San Jose’s 2-0 midweek Open Cup loss at the Portland Timbers, then wasn’t in the 18 in San Jose’s 2-2 draw at Orlando City Saturday. Earthquakes season: 9 games, 1 starts, 1 goal, 0 assists.
Jahn started and played 75 minutes in Sacramento’s 3-2 victory vs.Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Republic season: 7 games, 5 starts, 2 goals, 0 assists.
Amobi Okugo (Portland Timbers, Jesuit High)
The midfielder/defender started and played 90 minutes in Portland’s 2-0 Open Cup victory vs.the San Jose Earthquakes Tuesday, then was in the 18, but didn’t play in Portland’s 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake Saturday. Season: 2 games, 0 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists.
Tommy Thompson (San Jose Earthquakes, Sacramento Republic FC, Granite Bay High)
The midfielder started and played 90 minutes in San Jose’s 2-0 Open Cup loss at the Portland Timbers Tuesday, then was in the 18 but didn’t play in San Jose’s 2-2 draw at Orlando City Saturday. Earthquakes season: 10 games, 5 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists.
Thompson was not available for Sacramento’s 3-2 victory vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros as he was with San Jose. Republic season: 5 games, 4 starts, 2 goals, 0 assists.
North American Soccer League
Ramon Martin Del Campo (UC Davis)
The NASL, and Puerto Rico FC, are currently on their summer break. Season: 0 games, 0 starts, 0 goals, 0 assists.
United Soccer League
Max Alvarez (Sacramento Republic FC, Sacramento State)
The midfielder was in the 18 and played 10 minutes off the bench in Sacramento’s 3-2 victory vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Season: 7 games, 2 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists.
Seth Casiple (Portland Timbers 2, Rocklin High)
The midfielder was in the 18 and played one minute off the bench in Portland’s 1-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Season: 8 games, 3 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist.
Cameron Iwasa (Sacramento Republic FC, Jesuit High)
The forward started, played 90 minutes, and scored two goals in Sacramento’s 3-2 victory vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Season: 15 games, 11 starts, 6 goals, 0 assists.
Matt LaGrassa (Sacramento Republic FC, Pleasant Grove High)
The midfielder wasn’t in the 18 for Sacramento’s 3-2 victory vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Season: 2 games, 1 start, 0 goals, 0 assists.
