The U.S. Open Cup returns to Heart Health Park this week as Sacramento Republic FC welcomes 2022 NPSL Finalist Crossfire of Redmond, Washington to the River City. It’s the first contest of two the club plays this week, as on Saturday, Republic FC takes to Texas to face the defending champions in league play.
Each year as the Open Cup comes back, professional sides are asked about where their focus lies. The tournament’s return creates the first double matchweek of the season for the Indomitable club and others, and as a result, the strategic balance the club needs to maintain to have success in multiple competitions is back. For Sacramento this week, showing well in the tournament atmosphere is the immediate focus, and afterward, they’ll turn to the weekend.
“We want to compete on both levels,” Head Coach Mark Briggs said about where his squad’s focus lies. “It’s [the Open Cup] certainly a priority and we want to make sure we’re in the draw for the next round after Wednesday,” said Briggs. “It’s a very important game for us and we’ll be taking it serious and giving our opponent respect, while also understanding we have an important game Saturday.”
“We take both serious. Obviously, every game you go out you want to win,” said Conor Donovan. “So for us, it’s having that single focus. Our focus right now getting ready for Wednesday, then once Wednesday’s done it’s on to the next one. It’s never looking too far in front of us and focusing on the task at hand.”
Regardless of their opponent, Sacramento knows that there’s now a target on their back. Every team they face will be giving them their best shot, with the goal of cupset glory. That changes Sacramento’s mindset and motivates the squad even more even if the goal remains the same. The club’s going to respect their opponent, no matter the level, in every round.
“We expect them to come here and fight, battle, and scrap,” said Matt LaGrassa of the club’s Wednesday opponent. “We’re going to have to be up for that test.”
While it’s a tough task to play twice in four days, it’ll also provide an opportunity. The club’s deep roster will now get the opportunity to show just how strong they are – something the coaching staff has great confidence in.
“It’s the first week we’re going to have to utilize the squad and the players that we have, obviously with an Open Cup game on Wednesday, and another important league game coming up on the Saturday,” Briggs continued. “So, [an] opportunity for people to stake their claim to be in the team.”
