Scoring goals is crucial for any club looking to win, but wins don’t come easy without a stellar defense. Although it’s still early in the 2016 season, Sacramento Republic FC’s defense is quickly emerging as one of the top in the USL.
“There’s been a lot of focus on scoring goals, but the big thing for us after the first seven league games is that we’ve been very, very hard to break down,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle.
So far this season, Republic FC have allowed just three goals in seven matches and recorded four shutouts with goalkeeper Dom Jakubek in the net. Joining Jakubek in the backline are veterans James Kiffe and Emrah Klimenta, plus newcomer Chris Christian and Derek Foran, who has emerged as a regular starter for Republic FC this year after joining the club in 2015.
A strong Republic FC defense is not a new concept for the club, who has not allowed more than one goal per match in 14 straight USL matches, including the 2015 Playoffs. However, now in their third season in the USL, Republic FC’s defense is shining bright as they lead the USL in the least number of goals scored against the club.
“It’s an incredible record that we have three goals against in seven games,” said Buckle. “We have to maintain that. We’re very proud of it and it’s a lot of the work on the training field.”
According to both Buckle and his players, hard work and unity both on and off the pitch has been key to defensive success for Republic FC.
“The team’s been working hard. We’ve been working hard since the first day of preseason in February and I think that’s made a big difference,” said Foran.
The team’s unity has allowed the backline to move well as a unit, especially in terms of covering for one another and stepping up to the ball. Clear and consistent communication between Jakubek and his backline has almost completely shutdown Republic FC’s opponents on offense.
Scoring goals is crucial for any club looking to win, but wins don’t come easy without a stellar defense. Although it’s still early in the 2016 season, Sacramento Republic FC’s defense is quickly emerging as one of the top in the USL.
“There’s been a lot of focus on scoring goals, but the big thing for us after the first seven league games is that we’ve been very, very hard to break down,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle.
So far this season, Republic FC have allowed just three goals in seven matches and recorded four shutouts with goalkeeper Dom Jakubek in the net. Joining Jakubek in the backline are veterans James Kiffe and Emrah Klimenta, plus newcomer Chris Christian and Derek Foran, who has emerged as a regular starter for Republic FC this year after joining the club in 2015.
A strong Republic FC defense is not a new concept for the club, who has not allowed more than one goal per match in 14 straight USL matches, including the 2015 Playoffs. However, now in their third season in the USL, Republic FC’s defense is shining bright as they lead the USL in the least number of goals scored against the club.
“It’s an incredible record that we have three goals against in seven games,” said Buckle. “We have to maintain that. We’re very proud of it and it’s a lot of the work on the training field.”
According to both Buckle and his players, hard work and unity both on and off the pitch has been key to defensive success for Republic FC.
“The team’s been working hard. We’ve been working hard since the first day of preseason in February and I think that’s made a big difference,” said Foran.
The team’s unity has allowed the backline to move well as a unit, especially in terms of covering for one another and stepping up to the ball. Clear and consistent communication between Jakubek and his backline has almost completely shutdown Republic FC’s opponents on offense.
In fact, Jakubek—who has a .7 save percentage—has only had to make seven saves this season because Republic FC have only allowed their opponents to take ten shots on frame in all 630 minutes of USL play this season.
Jakubek’s four shutouts in seven matches also doubles Republic FC’s number of shutouts in the first seven matches of the 2105 season. While four shutouts this early in the season is a strong stat in and of itself, Buckle is quick to note that Republic FC’s defensive stats also indicate a larger team effort.
“The strikers and the midfielders play a part in it,” Buckle told the Sacramento Bee. “ … We don’t want to be a lazy team. We want to be a team that is hard to beat.”
While the season is still early, with just 0.43 goals allowed per match, Republic FC are currently on pace to break the USL record for best defense. The current record holders, Rochester Rhinos, set a league record of just 0.54 goals allowed per match en route to their 2015 USL championship title.
“We [are] big on defense and it shows with our stats,” added Klimenta. “Defense leads to great offense and hopefully we can continue to keep clean sheets and put balls in the back of the net.”
As the pieces begin to come together for Republic FC—especially in their dominating 2-0 win over LA Galaxy II—players are confident their hard work and united approach to defense will continue to lead to success this season.
“We are all working hard for each other. And it’s paying off on the pitch,” said Foran. “That’s the key ingredient, everyone fights for each other.”
Republic FC are back in USL action on Saturday and are hungry to capture their fifth shutout of the season as they host Seattle Sounders FC 2. Coincidentally, Republic FC recorded their first shutout of the season against S2 in a 1-0 win on March 25.
Kickoff for Republic FC vs Sounders FC 2 is 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets are still on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
In fact, Jakubek—who has a .7 save percentage—has only had to make seven saves this season because Republic FC have only allowed their opponents to take ten shots on frame in all 630 minutes of USL play this season.
Jakubek’s four shutouts in seven matches also doubles Republic FC’s number of shutouts in the first seven matches of the 2105 season. While four shutouts this early in the season is a strong stat in and of itself, Buckle is quick to note that Republic FC’s defensive stats also indicate a larger team effort.
“The strikers and the midfielders play a part in it,” Buckle told the Sacramento Bee. “ … We don’t want to be a lazy team. We want to be a team that is hard to beat.”
While the season is still early, with just 0.43 goals allowed per match, Republic FC are currently on pace to break the USL record for best defense. The current record holders, Rochester Rhinos, set a league record of just 0.54 goals allowed per match en route to their 2015 USL championship title.
“We [are] big on defense and it shows with our stats,” added Klimenta. “Defense leads to great offense and hopefully we can continue to keep clean sheets and put balls in the back of the net.”
As the pieces begin to come together for Republic FC—especially in their dominating 2-0 win over LA Galaxy II—players are confident their hard work and united approach to defense will continue to lead to success this season.
“We are all working hard for each other. And it’s paying off on the pitch,” said Foran. “That’s the key ingredient, everyone fights for each other.”
Republic FC are back in USL action on Saturday and are hungry to capture their fifth shutout of the season as they host Seattle Sounders FC 2. Coincidentally, Republic FC recorded their first shutout of the season against S2 in a 1-0 win on March 25.
Kickoff for Republic FC vs Sounders FC 2 is 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets are still on sale at Ticketmaster.com.
