In the final contest of the club’s three-match week, Republic FC took suffered their toughest result of the season, falling to Rio Grande Valley FC after a winner in the waning moments. Sacramento looked destined to come away with a draw as the fourth official put up the four minutes of added time, but a defensive lapse in transition, paired with a bad-luck touch allowed the Toros to take all three.
Build From It
Following the match, Head Coach Mark Briggs evaluation of the match was rather straightforward:
“Unacceptable, sloppy and lackluster. It was just unacceptable,” he said.
That sentiment was echoed across the entire team – who hopes to use it as a motivator for their next match. With a full week of training ahead, the club’s got their eyes set on returning to form in front of the home faithful, and rebounding from a performance that’s likely already behind them.
Next Man Up
Saturday’s contest was the fifth time in 21 days Sacramento took the pitch and the third time in a week. As a result, Mark Briggs Men needed to see contributions come from all 18 men selected on Saturday – and that’s what they got. Conor Donovan started for Dan Casey, Ferrety Sousa stepped in well for Jack Gurr, and Luther Archimede made his first start of the year alongside Douglas Martinez up top. All but two players selected entered, and fought hard for all 90 minutes to keep things close. In fact, Sacramento controlled the contest throughout the second half before the hosts’ stoppage time score.
Donovan’s 72nd minute equalizer – his first with Sacramento – made the defender the seventh Republic FC player to find the net in league play this season. For contrast, entering Saturday four of Rio Grande Valley’s five goals on the season had all come from one.
Down, But Never Out
Although the result was far from what the club wanted, it gives the squad a chance to continue pushing a narrative that’s defined them all season.
“We’ve got a resilient group of guys, and the guys stick together no matter what,” said Duke Lacroix after the match. “..We’re going to keep fighting until the final whistle until the last game of the season. We want to keep fighting every time we step on the field.”
After the match, it was clear that the club isn’t going to let one dismal evening take them down. Their performance in Edinburg is already behind them, and the next thing on their minds is giving the fans what they want this coming Saturday.
