San Diego Loyal SC is the USL Championship’s lone expansion team in 2020 but the newcomers are off to a fantastic start.
Having dropped its first game of the season, Republic FC is looking to rebound in sunny SoCal against the new club head coached by former USMNT standout Landon Donovan.
As the Indomitable Club prepares for its first game against the new boys, let’s see what the gaffer had to say before Saturday night’s clash in San Diego.
San Diego Loyal SC is the USL Championship’s lone expansion team in 2020 but the newcomers are off to a fantastic start.
Having dropped its first game of the season, Republic FC is looking to rebound in sunny SoCal against the new club head coached by former USMNT standout Landon Donovan.
As the Indomitable Club prepares for its first game against the new boys, let’s see what the gaffer had to say before Saturday night’s clash in San Diego.
Head Coach Mark Briggs
Head Coach Mark Briggs
On this weekend’s opponent…
“San Diego, they’re the in-form team at the moment. They’ve got a few wins at the start of the season, it’s going to be a difficult one, to go into their place where they’ve won a few games, it’s going to be hard. I’m excited because we’ve worked on certain things, we’re spoke about certain things, and I feel like the group is ready to go. Ready to explode. Ready to show what we haven’t already shown yet.”
“And maybe I could be standing here on Monday looking stupid, but I just get that feeling, I get that feeling that they’re at a level at that I’m happy with. The intensity, the attitude, the communication, it makes me feel positive.”
On this weekend’s opponent…
“San Diego, they’re the in-form team at the moment. They’ve got a few wins at the start of the season, it’s going to be a difficult one, to go into their place where they’ve won a few games, it’s going to be hard. I’m excited because we’ve worked on certain things, we’re spoke about certain things, and I feel like the group is ready to go. Ready to explode. Ready to show what we haven’t already shown yet.”
“And maybe I could be standing here on Monday looking stupid, but I just get that feeling, I get that feeling that they’re at a level at that I’m happy with. The intensity, the attitude, the communication, it makes me feel positive.”
On if he’s concerned about the positive tests around the league…
“I think that’s obviously a concern but unfortunately right now it’s a reality. We’re following every single protocol we can, we’re doing everything possible to try to make the risk as minimal as possible. But at the same time, you can’t control everybody else, right?”
“So, we have to control what we’re doing and then hope that we stay negative and our players are following all the protocols when they leave our supervision which they’ve been first class with. So to answer your question, it’s a worry, it’s a worry for every single person that’s out here but we’re all doing our job and hoping to stay safe.”
On if he’s concerned about the positive tests around the league…
“I think that’s obviously a concern but unfortunately right now it’s a reality. We’re following every single protocol we can, we’re doing everything possible to try to make the risk as minimal as possible. But at the same time, you can’t control everybody else, right?”
“So, we have to control what we’re doing and then hope that we stay negative and our players are following all the protocols when they leave our supervision which they’ve been first class with. So to answer your question, it’s a worry, it’s a worry for every single person that’s out here but we’re all doing our job and hoping to stay safe.”
On the Grinwis injury..
“Last week against LA Galaxy, Adam took a kick from the free kick prior to their goal when the boys clattered into him, got a kick on his knee and it’s twisted a little bit, we’re just being precautious. We’ve got Rafa behind him who is a suitable stand-in and somebody that we fully trust. So, we’re going to get Adam’s knee right and once it’s right, he’ll be competing with Rafa again.”
On the Grinwis injury..
“Last week against LA Galaxy, Adam took a kick from the free kick prior to their goal when the boys clattered into him, got a kick on his knee and it’s twisted a little bit, we’re just being precautious. We’ve got Rafa behind him who is a suitable stand-in and somebody that we fully trust. So, we’re going to get Adam’s knee right and once it’s right, he’ll be competing with Rafa again.”
