Republic FC returns to Heart Health Park this week, welcoming Tacoma Defiance for the two sides’ second meeting in as many weeks. Sacramento will look to get back on track and make a run for a playoff position against the Washington side, as a single point separates the two clubs in the division table.
Ahead of the match, Head Coach Mark Briggs, forward Darek Formella and goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña shared their thoughts on the team’s preparation and mindset for their second straight fixture at Heart Health Park.
Republic FC returns to Heart Health Park this week, welcoming Tacoma Defiance for the two sides’ second meeting in as many weeks. Sacramento will look to get back on track and make a run for a playoff position against the Washington side, as a single point separates the two clubs in the division table.
Ahead of the match, Head Coach Mark Briggs, forward Darek Formella and goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña shared their thoughts on the team’s preparation and mindset for their second straight fixture at Heart Health Park.
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
Republic FC Head Coach Mark Briggs
On training this week…
“It’s been refreshing to get a full week in. The guys have showed intensity and desire. We’ve scaled back a bit and allowed them to just go out and compete, play, and understand the scenario we’re in and the situations we’re going to face.”
On improving offensively…
“We’ve done a lot of finishing and a lot of repetition in front of the goal. A lot of live stuff – not so much training drills, but more 2v2’s to goal, a lot of pattern play, things they’ll see in the game. So hopefully that translates on Saturday.”
On getting players back from injury this week…
“It’s nice to get players back and people fresh. It also creates competition, and competition is healthy. We need competition within the roster; we need competition in order to get the best out of one another. It has been great to have a few more guys training this week, have them competing, and it will be hard to pick a squad come tomorrow.”
On training this week…
“It’s been refreshing to get a full week in. The guys have showed intensity and desire. We’ve scaled back a bit and allowed them to just go out and compete, play, and understand the scenario we’re in and the situations we’re going to face.”
On improving offensively…
“We’ve done a lot of finishing and a lot of repetition in front of the goal. A lot of live stuff – not so much training drills, but more 2v2’s to goal, a lot of pattern play, things they’ll see in the game. So hopefully that translates on Saturday.”
On getting players back from injury this week…
“It’s nice to get players back and people fresh. It also creates competition, and competition is healthy. We need competition within the roster; we need competition in order to get the best out of one another. It has been great to have a few more guys training this week, have them competing, and it will be hard to pick a squad come tomorrow.”
Republic FC Forward Darek Formella
Republic FC Forward Darek Formella
On the team’s mindset ahead of a crucial match…
“Every game is important. With seven games left, we know that we need to win at home. But we’re not just focused on winning here. We’re focused on winning everywhere and collecting points whenever we can get them.”
On the getting back on track up top…
“To fix things, we just have to score. It’s both simple and the hardest thing in football. Everyone wants to score. We’ve had our moments during the season where we’ve struggled, but we’ve got enough quality to do it and score frequently for the rest of the season.”
On the team’s mindset ahead of a crucial match…
“Every game is important. With seven games left, we know that we need to win at home. But we’re not just focused on winning here. We’re focused on winning everywhere and collecting points whenever we can get them.”
On the getting back on track up top…
“To fix things, we just have to score. It’s both simple and the hardest thing in football. Everyone wants to score. We’ve had our moments during the season where we’ve struggled, but we’ve got enough quality to do it and score frequently for the rest of the season.”
Republic FC Goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña
Republic FC Goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña
On competition amongst the goalkeepers…
“It’s tough since only one of us gets to play. Rafa and Tomas are my brothers, and whoever it is will definitely get full support from the others. We trust each other fully to get the job done to the best of our ability and represent our teammates the right way.”
On the prospect of making his Republic FC debut…
“I feel like I’ve always had a good amount of support no matter where I’ve played. It’s good to be very close to home, and I am excited to have my family here if it happens. As soon as the whistle blows though, I’ll be locked in, dialed in, and ready to live the game and ride or die for my teammates.”
On competition amongst the goalkeepers…
“It’s tough since only one of us gets to play. Rafa and Tomas are my brothers, and whoever it is will definitely get full support from the others. We trust each other fully to get the job done to the best of our ability and represent our teammates the right way.”
On the prospect of making his Republic FC debut…
“I feel like I’ve always had a good amount of support no matter where I’ve played. It’s good to be very close to home, and I am excited to have my family here if it happens. As soon as the whistle blows though, I’ll be locked in, dialed in, and ready to live the game and ride or die for my teammates.”
