Coming off a tough result in Texas, Sacramento returns home rejuvenated this week with their eyes set on two straight at home. To close out the month, Las Vegas Lights FC comes to town for their first visit to the Indomitable City since last August as the two clubs jockey for position in the crowded Western Conference.
At a Glance: #SACvLV
- Saturday, April 30
- 7:00 PM kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, CA
- How to watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 app, ESPN+
- Tickets
- Tailgate information
The Latest – Republic FC
The club’s result against Rio Grande Valley FC last Saturday was easily the toughest of the season. After equalizing late, the Toros netted the game-winner in stoppage time after a turnover in transition and an unlucky break in the box. However, the match delivered some positives – most notably showing off the depth of Sacramento’s roster that saw a number of players log crucial minutes off the bench.
Finally getting in a regular week of training should re-energize the club, as they return to play in front of their home fans. Sacramento is a perfect 5-0 at home this season, most recently taking down regional foe Central Valley Fuego FC in Open Cup play 2-1. Heart Health Park has also unlocked another gear for the club offensively – in home matches this season, Sacramento’s outscored their opponents 14-4 and outshot every team they’ve played 93-36.
Opponent Report
Like the rest of the league, Las Vegas has Sacramento’s attention ahead of this weekend’s contest. The club has hung with some of the best in USL this season, and most recently split points with a similarly talented Galaxy II squad. If not for great goalkeeping and tough luck in set piece opportunities, they could have tagged multiple scores on Los Dos with ease.
The club has a well-known weapon at their disposal in Danny Trejo – USL Championship’s March Player of the Month. Trejo’s performance so far in 2022 has propelled the club to being one of the most electric in the attacking third, scoring 13 times and putting up the third-best conversion rate in the league at 23%.
Head to Head History
Republic FC has had a lot of success all-time against Las Vegas, claiming five wins, one loss, and two draws in eight meetings. The Indomitable Club also holds the all-time scoring advantage, putting in 14 while conceding just nine. Only one match has gone the way of Lights FC – a 4-2 result in May 2019.
Sacramento took three points in all four of the two sides’ 2021 meetings, but Vegas was tough each time, hanging around and refusing to go down without a fight. The two squad’s last meeting saw Mark Briggs’ men claim three points after a game-winner from Luis Felipe and a late dagger from Julian Chavez.
