Saturday, Republic FC takes on one of the league’s best, traveling East to face off with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in a road matchup. The Indomitable Club’s first ever trip to Western Pennsylvania comes on a two-match unbeaten run and following three straight at Heart Health Park.
Through the first half of the season, Sacramento and Pittsburgh each sit in the top spot in their conference. Pittsburgh holds a share of first place in the East with 31 points, and Sacramento maintains the best mark league-wide at 33 points. Both clubs will get the other’s best shot in a battle between heavyweights.
“They’re a very good team, obviously, and an even more difficult team to play against at home on their stadium,” Head Coach Mark Briggs said of Pittsburgh on Wednesday. “We’ve just got to go there, be hard to beat and try and put our style of play, our strengths on them. They’re a good team, but we’re also good team. We’ve got to go there and try and perform.”
“A very tough game. And one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference,” said Lee Desmond. “Obviously, we have a couple of guys who used to play there, so they’ll have the extra spring in their step and it’s just another game for us. But it’s going to be very tough one.”
Backline play has been a centerpiece to each club’s success throughout the season. Sacramento and Pittsburgh have each conceded the fewest goals in their respective conference, with Sacramento leading the league in the category. Both clubs are difficult to break down, and don’t allow a lot of pressure to reach the goalkeeper. The Quails have yet to allow more than one goal in any match this season.
“Clean sheets have been tough to come by lately, so that’s something we’re focusing on,” Desmond continued. “We believe once we keep a clean sheet, we can beat anybody because we have players who can score.”
“They’re a tough team to go to their place and play against. They have a difficult system where they make it tough to play and tough to get goals,” noted defender Jared Timmer. “So we’re looking forward to the challenge, and I think we’ll embrace being on the road again.”
All season, the club has benefitted from having a deep squad. Even with key contributors out last week, the club was a mere minute away from three points – a nod to the level of quality present throughout the roster. Briggs and his staff have full confidence in every player to perform this week, and whenever they are called upon.
“We’ve got a lot of belief in the squad of players that we have, and right now, that squad is being utilized to the maximum,” said Briggs. “Players are coming in and getting an opportunity to play and show what they can do. And they showed that last Saturday against RGV and will have to show that again away in Pittsburgh this weekend.”
