In their final preseason match before next weekend’s home opener, the San Francisco Deltas and the Sacramento Republic drew 0-0 at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
Playing their first tune-up game at their home stadium under foggy breezy conditions, the Deltas had few opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. In the 10th-minute Deltas midfielder Kyle Bekker was stopped twice by Sacramento Republic goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek inside the box. In the second half, Jackson had a clear shot on goal that was also stopped by the Republic’s keeper.
Sacramento Republic’s best chance was early in the second when Trevin Caesar had an open shot but pushed it just wide of the post.
The match, open to season ticket holders, youth soccer clubs, and their guests brought out 1,685 fans to the game.
“It didn’t seem like an exhibition. The vibe was good, the environment was good. The staff did an incredible job setting this place up for a game,” SF Deltas head coach Marc Dos Santos explained. “It is an excellent start for the franchise. It is only going to go up from here.”
The Deltas open their inaugural NASL campaign on Saturday, March 25th against the Indy Eleven at 7 pm at Kezar Stadium.
GAME NOTES:
– Sacramento Republic goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek has a homecoming of sorts playing in Kezar Stadium. He was the backup keeper for San Francisco’s last professional team, the California Victory, who played at Kezar in 2007.
– The match was a chippy affair with 23 fouls awarded. Both teams only forced the keepers to make three saves.
