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Sacramento Republic 0 Newcastle 1
Written by Newcastle Utd
Ten-man Newcastle recorded a 1-0 victory over Sacramento Republic on their pre-season tour of America
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
At Bonney Field, Sacramento
Sacramento Republic 0
Newcastle United 1 (Kiffe og 48)
Ten-man Newcastle United recorded a 1-0 victory over Sacramento Republic on the second game of their pre-season tour of America.
An own-goal from Republic defender James Kiffe was enough to separate the sides at Bonney Field, as the Magpies bounced back from defeat against Club Atlas on Tuesday.
Kiffe put Massadio Haidara's cross into his own net early in the second half, but the night was to turn sour for Haidara, who later received a straight red card for a high tackle on Danny Barrera.
However, despite having to play for the final 25 minutes with a numerical disadvantage, United stood firm and could have recorded an even bigger win as they went close through substitute Ayoze Perez late on.
Steve McClaren's side face Portland Timbers next up in Portland on Tuesday, in the final match of their Stateside tour.
Republic captain Rodrigo Lopez had the first effort of the night on four minutes.
A deep cross from the right was headed clear by Moussa Sissoko only fell as far as left-winger Lopez, but the Mexican lashed his first time strike high and wide.
United responded but Sissoko couldn't direct his shot on target, having been picked out by Gabriel Obertan, whose pace down the left touchline created the opening.
They went much closer, however, in the 11th minute. A ball through the middle was superbly taken down by Siem de Jong, who then promptly delivered to the far post for fellow countryman Daryl Janmaat.
The marauding right-back took a touch before firing across the face of goal, only for a Sacramento defender to provide a crucial interception.
But the hosts refused to lie down and Janmaat had to be at his defensive best soon after to hook Lopez's corner behind as it threatened to sneak in.
The Republic skipper was having an impressive night and just past the half-hour mark forced Tim Krul into a fingertip stop from a 20-yard free-kick that looked to be curling into the top corner.
Krul kept the Magpies in the contest in the 39th minute with a fine stop to deny Sacremento midfielder Ivan Mirkovic.
When James Kiffe's left-flank, near post cross wasn't properly dealt with by the visiting defence, Mirkovic seized on the loose ball and fired a fierce, angled strike which Krul did well to beat away.
And he made it a hat-trick of saves just before half-time when another free-kick - this time from Max Alvarez - was bound for the back of the net until the intervention of the Dutch stopper.
The second half was just three minutes old when Newcastle broke the deadlock.
Haidara had already whipped in one outstanding cross which flew right through the six-yard box untouched, but this time a similar deliver was volleyed past his own goalkeeper by Republic full-back Kiffe.
The hosts thought they had levelled almost immediately when a loose ball was tucked home after substitute goalkeeper Freddie Woodman made an initial save. However, the assistant referee's flag for offside curtailed Sacramento's joy.
Woodman then pulled off a couple of fine saves to turn midfielder Danny Barrera's two long-range efforts around the post.
United were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute as Haidara was given a straight red card by referee Chipalo Street.
The French full-back was trying to cut out a high, diagonal crossfield ball when he clattered into Barrera, and Mr Street had no hesitation in giving the youngster his marching orders, much to the surprise of most within Bonney Field.
Head coach Steve McClaren made a triple substitution with just over 20 minutes remaining - introducing Georginio Wijnaldum for his first Magpies appearance, alongside Rolando Aarons and Ayoze Perez.
And the latter two almost conjured up a second for the visitors in the 80th minute.
When Aarons picked up the ball wide on the left there didn't appear to be too much on, but the England Under-20 international had other ideas, racing past three defenders before picking out Perez from the tightest of angles, with the Spanish striker blocked just as he pulled the trigger.
But another goal wasn't required as United recorded the win.
Sacramento Republic (4-4-2): Patrick McLain; Emrah Klimenta, Mickey Daly, Nemanja Vukovic, James Kiffe; Danny Barrera, Max Alvarez (Joaquin Rivas 83), Ivan Mirkovic, Rodrigo Lopez (c); Thomas Stewart (Cameron Iwasa 72), David Estrada (Octavio Guzman 55)
Subs not used: Dominik Jakubek, Derek Foran, Matthias Bonvehi, Agustin Cazarez, Alfonso Motagalvan, Zev Taublieb, Gabe Gonzalez, , Gabe Gissie, Adnan Gabeljic, Kaleemullah
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul (Freddie Woodman 46); Daryl Janmaat, Mike Williamson, Jamaal Lascelles (Steven Taylor 46), Massadio Haidara; Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback (c); Moussa Sissoko, Siem de Jong (Ayoze Perez 69), Gabriel Obertan (Rolando Aarons 69); Papiss Cisse (Georginio Wijnaldum 69)
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Shane Ferguson, Lubomir Satka, Gael Bigirimana, Mehdi Abeid, Yoan Gouffran
Referee: Chipalo Street
Bookings: Sacramento Republic - Lopez (87); Newcastle United - none
Sendings off: Sacramento Republic - none; Newcastle United - Haidara (65)
Attendance: 11,432