Republic FC’s attention turns back towards league play this week, as the squad travels south to Irvine for its second road contest of the season against defending champion Orange County SC. It’ll be the first of two meetings between the Western Conference foes, and ahead of a three-in-seven day slate, is an important contest to establish confidence against three tough opponents.
Off to a hot start this year, Sacramento’s lone blemish came in their only road match of the season, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of San Diego Loyal SC. Winning on the road in any league is tough, but especially against the defending champions, it’ll surely be a bit tougher. All-time, wins have been hard to come by for the club in Irvine, and Saturday’s match will be no different.
“A lot of teams can go and play different styles or formations on the road. I think [for us] it’s sticking to our guns, playing hard and going after teams,” said Conor Donovan.
“When you go on the road you have to go there with a different mentality, a desire, a hunger to not concede, to be tenacious and aggressive,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “It’s different. With our quality, if we show the right mentality we’ll come back with a result.”
Between the club’s last contest on April 7 and kickoff on Saturday, the club will have had nine days off – critical recovery time ahead of a busy stretch going into May. From now until the end of the month the club takes the pitch four times, and with potential Open Cup fixtures, could do so as many as eight times in the next five weeks. The club’s technical staff is well aware of that challenge, but also knows how winning can make it easier for every member of the team.
“Every game we go into, we want to win, we have a plan to win and that has to be our standard. It’s a massive week with Orange County, a local derby, and another big away match,” said Briggs. “…So we need to make sure we’re looking after our bodies and stay fresh.”
Despite what lies ahead, spirits are excellent and expectations remain high – the club has come a long way in the season’s opening month, and they all know it. Facing off with the defending champions, and a team that was tough on Sacramento last season doesn’t faze them one bit.
“We’re coming together as a team,” said Nick Ross. “We’re just going to keep improving as the season goes on. And I think it’s starting to show on the pitch.”
