There’s a sort of romance that happens naturally with rivalries in sports: dramatic come-from-behind wins, infamous words, thrown uppercuts and unforgettable moments.
For Sacramento there’s rivalries, to be sure, but there’s one rival that’s bigger than the rest: Los Angeles.
The rivalry between the two cities are perfect foils of one another. A rivalry of the big city of lights against the hometown community coming into its own. Southern versus Northern California. In the early 2000s (and still to this day) there was purple and gold versus purple and black. Now, there’s a new rivalry: Old Glory Red versus Galaxy Blue.
On Saturday, Sacramento Republic FC host rivals LA Galaxy II at 8:00 p.m. at Bonney Field, as they look to capture their second straight win over Los Dos this season. For fans, players and coaches alike, it’s a match-up they all look forward to.
“Sports, especially soccer, lends itself to rivalries,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Buckle. “Rivalries bring a smile to your face, a smile to mine, and it’s what the fans want to see. … There’s clear understanding this is a derby match.”
Rivalries are far from simple. They’re born naturally, out of passion and often, mutual dislike. It would be simple to chalk up the Sacramento-Los Angeles rivalry to the 2002 NBA Conference Finals, and claim from there, feelings between the cities have simply transcended basketball. Over the course of the years dramatic moments, words exchanged by fans, players and coaches have shaped and reshaped the rivalries between the two cities.
“I think it’s clear that no matter how much time passes, the rivalry between Sacramento and Los Angeles sports teams was cemented by the Kings/Lakers rivalry,” said former Sacramento Kings center Scot Pollard. ” As long as both cities have teams it seems that the rivalry will continue.”
From Mike Bibby’s game winning shot in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to the infamous scuffle between Rick Fox and Doug Christie the early 2000s, the rivalry was firmly cemented between the two cities. However, since Republic FC and Los Dos both entered the scene in 2014, the rivalry between the two cities has only grown further, shaped by a second sport, soccer.
“Realistically the rivalry really begins with the Sacramento Kings and the LA Lakers. Growing up as a diehard Kings fans I was cultured into not liking LA teams or LA in general and that’s continued on with Republic FC,” said midfielder Matt LaGrassa.
Republic FC and Los Dos both began playing in USL the same season, providing the perfect foil to one another. Republic FC hold the all-time series lead at 6-3-1, but the clubs split playoff records evenly. In 2014, Republic FC earned a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Los Dos in the semifinals en route to their Championship title. Last season, however, Galaxy II stole Republic FC’s repeat hopes in a 1-0 win on their way to a Western Conference title.
It’s those moments that are key to establishing a rich rivalry lore and history.
“You’re building history all the time, and that’s key … as every year goes by results happen, confrontations happen,” said Buckle on building a rivalry.
Ironically, the rivalry between Los Dos and Republic FC is only further fueled by road results. Galaxy II’s three wins in the series have all occurred in front of sellout crowds at Bonney Field, while Republic FC have dominated Los Dos at their home, StubHub Center, never losing a match on the road.
“I think the main thing is we’ve played this team so many times and so many of the clashes have gotten heated or come down to the wire and that’s the biggest component that plays into this rivalry,” said forward Cameron Iwasa about what makes the rivalry with Republic FC and Los Dos so strong.
Most recently in the rivalry, Republic FC handed LA Galaxy II their first loss of the 2016 USL season in a 2-0 win on May 7 at StubHub Center.
Hot on a three-match USL undefeated streak and fueled by an early U.S. Open Cup exit, Republic FC are hungry and eager to capture a win over their rivals this Saturday as Los Dos arrive at Bonney Field.
“You know how those games go,” Emrah Klimenta said about their U.S. Open Cup loss to Kitsap Pumas on Wednesday. “I’m sure we will come out with more fire. This game is just fuel to add to our rivalry with Galaxy.”
“There’s been some great matches against LA Galaxy II in the past. And this is the first one I’ve been apart of the rivalry at home,” said LaGrassa. “I’m sure it will live up to it’s rivalry name and be a great atmosphere and match.”
Republic FC square off against LA Galaxy II at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Bonney Field as they look to record their 36th consecutive USL regular season and playoff sellout. Tickets to the match are still available at Ticketmaster.com.
The match will be broadcast live on CW31 and Sports 1140 KHTK and online at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
There’s a sort of romance that happens naturally with rivalries in sports: dramatic come-from-behind wins, infamous words, thrown uppercuts and unforgettable moments.
For Sacramento there’s rivalries, to be sure, but there’s one rival that’s bigger than the rest: Los Angeles.
The rivalry between the two cities are perfect foils of one another. A rivalry of the big city of lights against the hometown community coming into its own. Southern versus Northern California. In the early 2000s (and still to this day) there was purple and gold versus purple and black. Now, there’s a new rivalry: Old Glory Red versus Galaxy Blue.
On Saturday, Sacramento Republic FC host rivals LA Galaxy II at 8:00 p.m. at Bonney Field, as they look to capture their second straight win over Los Dos this season. For fans, players and coaches alike, it’s a match-up they all look forward to.
“Sports, especially soccer, lends itself to rivalries,” said Head Coach and Technical Director Buckle. “Rivalries bring a smile to your face, a smile to mine, and it’s what the fans want to see. … There’s clear understanding this is a derby match.”
Rivalries are far from simple. They’re born naturally, out of passion and often, mutual dislike. It would be simple to chalk up the Sacramento-Los Angeles rivalry to the 2002 NBA Conference Finals, and claim from there, feelings between the cities have simply transcended basketball. Over the course of the years dramatic moments, words exchanged by fans, players and coaches have shaped and reshaped the rivalries between the two cities.
“I think it’s clear that no matter how much time passes, the rivalry between Sacramento and Los Angeles sports teams was cemented by the Kings/Lakers rivalry,” said former Sacramento Kings center Scot Pollard. ” As long as both cities have teams it seems that the rivalry will continue.”
From Mike Bibby’s game winning shot in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals to the infamous scuffle between Rick Fox and Doug Christie the early 2000s, the rivalry was firmly cemented between the two cities. However, since Republic FC and Los Dos both entered the scene in 2014, the rivalry between the two cities has only grown further, shaped by a second sport, soccer.
“Realistically the rivalry really begins with the Sacramento Kings and the LA Lakers. Growing up as a diehard Kings fans I was cultured into not liking LA teams or LA in general and that’s continued on with Republic FC,” said midfielder Matt LaGrassa.
Republic FC and Los Dos both began playing in USL the same season, providing the perfect foil to one another. Republic FC hold the all-time series lead at 6-3-1, but the clubs split playoff records evenly. In 2014, Republic FC earned a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Los Dos in the semifinals en route to their Championship title. Last season, however, Galaxy II stole Republic FC’s repeat hopes in a 1-0 win on their way to a Western Conference title.
It’s those moments that are key to establishing a rich rivalry lore and history.
“You’re building history all the time, and that’s key … as every year goes by results happen, confrontations happen,” said Buckle on building a rivalry.
Ironically, the rivalry between Los Dos and Republic FC is only further fueled by road results. Galaxy II’s three wins in the series have all occurred in front of sellout crowds at Bonney Field, while Republic FC have dominated Los Dos at their home, StubHub Center, never losing a match on the road.
“I think the main thing is we’ve played this team so many times and so many of the clashes have gotten heated or come down to the wire and that’s the biggest component that plays into this rivalry,” said forward Cameron Iwasa about what makes the rivalry with Republic FC and Los Dos so strong.
Most recently in the rivalry, Republic FC handed LA Galaxy II their first loss of the 2016 USL season in a 2-0 win on May 7 at StubHub Center.
Hot on a three-match USL undefeated streak and fueled by an early U.S. Open Cup exit, Republic FC are hungry and eager to capture a win over their rivals this Saturday as Los Dos arrive at Bonney Field.
“You know how those games go,” Emrah Klimenta said about their U.S. Open Cup loss to Kitsap Pumas on Wednesday. “I’m sure we will come out with more fire. This game is just fuel to add to our rivalry with Galaxy.”
“There’s been some great matches against LA Galaxy II in the past. And this is the first one I’ve been apart of the rivalry at home,” said LaGrassa. “I’m sure it will live up to it’s rivalry name and be a great atmosphere and match.”
Republic FC square off against LA Galaxy II at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Bonney Field as they look to record their 36th consecutive USL regular season and playoff sellout. Tickets to the match are still available at Ticketmaster.com.
The match will be broadcast live on CW31 and Sports 1140 KHTK and online at www.sacrepublicfc.com/matchday.
