Sacramento Republic FC returns home to Heart Health Park for two games this week as part of their stretch of four games in 12 days. The Indomitable Club are hosting new USL side Oakland Roots SC on Wednesday evening in the two clubs’ second meeting all-time. Wednesday’s fixture against Oakland kicks off at 8:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased here. The match will also be broadcast on ESPN+, KQCA, My58 and EstrellaTV.
Before the newest USL rivalry renews, though, head coach Mark Briggs and a few players shared their thoughts on the club’s mentality after a thrilling point on the road and how the result plays into the season ahead.
Head Coach Mark Briggs
On building for the future…
“We’ve got a lot of new players and it’s taking a bit longer than I had imagined for us to come together. I think the results, the second half performance against Phoenix, the result down in San Diego, obviously, Mitch coming and getting a last minute goal. I think he saw the reaction of the group afterwards. I felt that we’re getting there, we’re in a good spot and we’re building that trust and camaraderie that you need as a team.”
On the importance of building momentum in a key stretch…
“Right now, it’s important to get a result. The second half against Phoenix, I was happy with the desire, the attitude and the quality we showed on the ball. In San Diego, we were in good spots where we were defensively sound. The atmosphere in the locker room and at the final whistle was like we we’d won the game. It shows how much we care how much we want it. We need to get a result and continue to build on the momentum that we’ve started.”
On the quick turnaround…
“Whether it’s a quick or longer turnaround, I think carrying that momentum into the next game is pivotal. It’s vital. We had a good moment at the end of the game, we had a good moment in the locker room. But now we have to carry on that momentum, we have to build on it. We’ve give ourselves a platform to build on now we have to build on it.
Duke Lacroix
On training and the team’s response to earning a point in San Diego“
Yeah, this week has been short and sharp. We’ve had a quick turnaround, just enough time to travel back after the game and get our legs under us. We’re definitely pleased with the result. We thought we played well, we put a good performance on the pitch and we’re really happy that that Mitch got to tie it on the road. Coming away with something from that game is really important for us building and going forward to our home game against our rivals.”
Sacramento Republic FC returns home to Heart Health Park for two games this week as part of their stretch of four games in 12 days. The Indomitable Club are hosting new USL side Oakland Roots SC on Wednesday evening in the two clubs’ second meeting all-time. Wednesday’s fixture against Oakland kicks off at 8:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased here. The match will also be broadcast on ESPN+, KQCA, My58 and EstrellaTV.
Before the newest USL rivalry renews, though, head coach Mark Briggs and a few players shared their thoughts on the club’s mentality after a thrilling point on the road and how the result plays into the season ahead.
Head Coach Mark Briggs
On building for the future…
“We’ve got a lot of new players and it’s taking a bit longer than I had imagined for us to come together. I think the results, the second half performance against Phoenix, the result down in San Diego, obviously, Mitch coming and getting a last minute goal. I think he saw the reaction of the group afterwards. I felt that we’re getting there, we’re in a good spot and we’re building that trust and camaraderie that you need as a team.”
On the importance of building momentum in a key stretch…
“Right now, it’s important to get a result. The second half against Phoenix, I was happy with the desire, the attitude and the quality we showed on the ball. In San Diego, we were in good spots where we were defensively sound. The atmosphere in the locker room and at the final whistle was like we we’d won the game. It shows how much we care how much we want it. We need to get a result and continue to build on the momentum that we’ve started.”
On the quick turnaround…
“Whether it’s a quick or longer turnaround, I think carrying that momentum into the next game is pivotal. It’s vital. We had a good moment at the end of the game, we had a good moment in the locker room. But now we have to carry on that momentum, we have to build on it. We’ve give ourselves a platform to build on now we have to build on it.
Duke Lacroix
On training and the team’s response to earning a point in San Diego“
Yeah, this week has been short and sharp. We’ve had a quick turnaround, just enough time to travel back after the game and get our legs under us. We’re definitely pleased with the result. We thought we played well, we put a good performance on the pitch and we’re really happy that that Mitch got to tie it on the road. Coming away with something from that game is really important for us building and going forward to our home game against our rivals.”
On team mentality after stealing a point on the road…
“I think positivity breeds positivity. It’s something we’ve been harping on all week and all season. We’ve been on the wrong side of some results all season long, but to a moment where it’s the 94th minute, you can either fold or keep fighting. We’re a team that likes to keep fighting. I’m hoping the fans see that in our play and in everything that we do, and we got something out of the game.”
Pete Pennanen
On coming off a draw going into the week and facing Oakland…
“We didn’t have many days before the before this game, but it was a very important point for the group after a string of bad results. It was a huge point for us and now we’ve been waiting for this game. Everybody’s excited to play at home again and we really want to take the three points.”
On Oakland being a well-known opponent for Republic FC…
“We only played them once, but it was a kind of crazy game with a lot happening in a 3-3 draw. The second game we were supposed to play in Oakland was also kind of a crazy day, so it’s for sure going to be a great matchup with them. It will be a great match for the fans to watch tomorrow.”
On team mentality after stealing a point on the road…
“I think positivity breeds positivity. It’s something we’ve been harping on all week and all season. We’ve been on the wrong side of some results all season long, but to a moment where it’s the 94th minute, you can either fold or keep fighting. We’re a team that likes to keep fighting. I’m hoping the fans see that in our play and in everything that we do, and we got something out of the game.”
Pete Pennanen
On coming off a draw going into the week and facing Oakland…
“We didn’t have many days before the before this game, but it was a very important point for the group after a string of bad results. It was a huge point for us and now we’ve been waiting for this game. Everybody’s excited to play at home again and we really want to take the three points.”
On Oakland being a well-known opponent for Republic FC…
“We only played them once, but it was a kind of crazy game with a lot happening in a 3-3 draw. The second game we were supposed to play in Oakland was also kind of a crazy day, so it’s for sure going to be a great matchup with them. It will be a great match for the fans to watch tomorrow.”
