A resilient Republic FC side didn't let an early goal stop Mark Briggs' men from staging a second straight come-from-behind win in as many matches as Sacramento surged by Orange County SC late to claim a riveting 2-1 win at Papa Murphy's Park on Wednesday night.
Dariusz Formella and Villyan Bijev found the back of the net in the 79th and 87th minute respectively to secure all three points for the Indomitable Club as SRFC eyes a chance to leapfrog Reno 1868 FC for the top spot in Group A.
But before this Saturday night's crucial clash between the two regional rivals in the California Capital, it's time to see what the boss and the boys in Old Glory Red had on their minds following the massive midweek win.
A resilient Republic FC side didn’t let an early goal stop Mark Briggs’ men from staging a second straight come-from-behind win in as many matches as Sacramento surged by Orange County SC late to claim a riveting 2-1 win at Papa Murphy’s Park on Wednesday night.
Dariusz Formella and Villyan Bijev found the back of the net in the 79th and 87th minute respectively to secure all three points for the Indomitable Club as SRFC eyes a chance to leapfrog Reno 1868 FC for the top spot in Group A.
But before this Saturday night’s crucial clash between the two regional rivals in the California Capital, it’s time to see what the boss and the boys in Old Glory Red had on their minds following the massive midweek win.
Head Coach Mark Briggs
Head Coach Mark Briggs
On tonight’s match…
To have a comeback like that, be up against the wall with 10 men and play some of the football that we played, move the ball at the speed that we did, create opportunities and then to come up with two big goals. You have to credit the players, the players attitude, the players mentality and the culture of the group. It's almost as if they said, 'we're down, decisions are going against us, let's get together, we can still do this'. It’s pleasing to see against one of the better teams in the league."
On the discipline throughout the game…
"Sometimes that's going happen in games when good teams are playing and fouls happen. People are passionate, people want to win. I won't comment on the decision about the red card. It was just a chippy game. But to be fair to our players didn't get involved we got on with it, and produced a great second half display."
On team resilience…
"We're the Indomitable Club, right? We’re the Indomitable City and I thought the players showed that indomitable spirit. That never say die attitude and ultimately that's what ended up getting us three points. I’m extremely proud of the players, extremely proud of, everyone associated with the club to be quite honest, that was a great result for everyone."
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match…
"Both [teams] battling for that first place position and it's gonna be another big game like you saw tonight. Two good teams going at it playing attacking football and trying to win the game. We'll get prepared, we'll get the players as best recovered as we can in time to go again in another big game Saturday. That's what you want now, you want big games, you want to be involved in big games, you want to pit yourself against the best teams and the best players. And so we're looking forward to it."
On Group B’s strength…
"No team in this league scares me. I'm not bothered by who we play against. And when the players show the mentality and the attitude and they move the ball at the speed that we move the ball tonight and we played between lines when we got in behind them, we're going to be a handful for anyone. Orange County is a good team, San Diego is a good team, Phoenix, LA Galaxy II. They're all good teams. We have to just prepare for whoever we play against, and ultimately it's a one off game and winner takes all. We're not nervous, we're not scared, we play who we play and we have to prepare and we have to set everyone up and get ourselves as best prepared as we can to go and get a result."
On tonight’s match…
To have a comeback like that, be up against the wall with 10 men and play some of the football that we played, move the ball at the speed that we did, create opportunities and then to come up with two big goals. You have to credit the players, the players attitude, the players mentality and the culture of the group. It’s almost as if they said, ‘we’re down, decisions are going against us, let’s get together, we can still do this’. It’s pleasing to see against one of the better teams in the league.”
On the discipline throughout the game…
“Sometimes that’s going happen in games when good teams are playing and fouls happen. People are passionate, people want to win. I won’t comment on the decision about the red card. It was just a chippy game. But to be fair to our players didn’t get involved we got on with it, and produced a great second half display.”
On team resilience…
“We’re the Indomitable Club, right? We’re the Indomitable City and I thought the players showed that indomitable spirit. That never say die attitude and ultimately that’s what ended up getting us three points. I’m extremely proud of the players, extremely proud of, everyone associated with the club to be quite honest, that was a great result for everyone.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s match…
“Both [teams] battling for that first place position and it’s gonna be another big game like you saw tonight. Two good teams going at it playing attacking football and trying to win the game. We’ll get prepared, we’ll get the players as best recovered as we can in time to go again in another big game Saturday. That’s what you want now, you want big games, you want to be involved in big games, you want to pit yourself against the best teams and the best players. And so we’re looking forward to it.”
On Group B’s strength…
“No team in this league scares me. I’m not bothered by who we play against. And when the players show the mentality and the attitude and they move the ball at the speed that we move the ball tonight and we played between lines when we got in behind them, we’re going to be a handful for anyone. Orange County is a good team, San Diego is a good team, Phoenix, LA Galaxy II. They’re all good teams. We have to just prepare for whoever we play against, and ultimately it’s a one off game and winner takes all. We’re not nervous, we’re not scared, we play who we play and we have to prepare and we have to set everyone up and get ourselves as best prepared as we can to go and get a result.”
Jordan McCrary
Jordan McCrary
On tonight’s match…
"It was one of those games where we just really had to grind it out. Starting off early in the game we were really trying to get after it but they're pressing hard and we're lucky to get a little toe poke on our mistake but we're pretty resilient today, and it showed. The way we came back it was tough losing RoRo on a call like that it is what it is. Can't blame the referee just how the game goes, but once again, indomitable. We fought back. We kept playing. Kept our head strong, stayed solid and kept pushing and ended up coming back, making it 2-1. The storyline says it all. This team really puts all our effort out there and gives it every time."
On Dekel’s late substitution…
"So much to say about the guy. He comes in and he handles his business. He's such a presence on and off the field. His leadership and everything is needed. So when he came on today he made a big difference winning their air balls, diving for it, giving everything he can. And we just added to the backline the resilience, just trying to fight and stay in the game."
On the club’s perseverance…
"Unfortunately, sometimes that’s the way it takes. Today is one of the times that it happens, you know they did poke that bear and the bear came out, came out the bigger person."
On scoring late, down to ten men…
"Yeah, you don't really see that too often it's definitely tough to play down a man. But once again, everybody on his team really fight, we fight for each other and we show that kind of dog mentality today that we really needto do every single game without being knocked down a goal, or down a man. But no matter what, it seems to be that that's just what we have and that's what we're gonna put out there we're really gonna fight until the end."
Looking ahead to the next match…
"We're coming off of a good winning streak right now. So just another game for us to really prepare be locked in tuned in and really start off from the front foot. We got to come out and make a difference from the beginning, and now wait around and get knocked in the mouth."
On tonight’s match…
“It was one of those games where we just really had to grind it out. Starting off early in the game we were really trying to get after it but they’re pressing hard and we’re lucky to get a little toe poke on our mistake but we’re pretty resilient today, and it showed. The way we came back it was tough losing RoRo on a call like that it is what it is. Can’t blame the referee just how the game goes, but once again, indomitable. We fought back. We kept playing. Kept our head strong, stayed solid and kept pushing and ended up coming back, making it 2-1. The storyline says it all. This team really puts all our effort out there and gives it every time.”
On Dekel’s late substitution…
“So much to say about the guy. He comes in and he handles his business. He’s such a presence on and off the field. His leadership and everything is needed. So when he came on today he made a big difference winning their air balls, diving for it, giving everything he can. And we just added to the backline the resilience, just trying to fight and stay in the game.”
On the club’s perseverance…
“Unfortunately, sometimes that’s the way it takes. Today is one of the times that it happens, you know they did poke that bear and the bear came out, came out the bigger person.”
On scoring late, down to ten men…
“Yeah, you don’t really see that too often it’s definitely tough to play down a man. But once again, everybody on his team really fight, we fight for each other and we show that kind of dog mentality today that we really needto do every single game without being knocked down a goal, or down a man. But no matter what, it seems to be that that’s just what we have and that’s what we’re gonna put out there we’re really gonna fight until the end.”
Looking ahead to the next match…
“We’re coming off of a good winning streak right now. So just another game for us to really prepare be locked in tuned in and really start off from the front foot. We got to come out and make a difference from the beginning, and now wait around and get knocked in the mouth.”
Kharlton Belmar
Kharlton Belmar
On his overall impressions of tonight’s match…
"Things kind of started off rough in the first half, going down a goal. I think we started somewhat on the strong foot there and were unlucky to give up one early. We were able to create opportunities and continue to plug away and made some changes that half and came back out and really dug in and I think it definitely showed what type of team we are to go down a man and grab two goals, to dig deep and come together and grind out the three points against a good team. So, all in all a good night, we're just going to look towards Saturday and on another big game against Reno.”
On if given any specific instruction when he entered the match…
“No, I think it's pretty simple, anytime you go on it's going to be go get a goal, we’re down a goal, so the only thing I have to do as a forward is come in and get on the scoresheet or at least try and get an assist and I think that worked out.”
On his overall impressions of tonight’s match…
“Things kind of started off rough in the first half, going down a goal. I think we started somewhat on the strong foot there and were unlucky to give up one early. We were able to create opportunities and continue to plug away and made some changes that half and came back out and really dug in and I think it definitely showed what type of team we are to go down a man and grab two goals, to dig deep and come together and grind out the three points against a good team. So, all in all a good night, we’re just going to look towards Saturday and on another big game against Reno.”
On if given any specific instruction when he entered the match…
“No, I think it’s pretty simple, anytime you go on it’s going to be go get a goal, we’re down a goal, so the only thing I have to do as a forward is come in and get on the scoresheet or at least try and get an assist and I think that worked out.”
