The Indomitable Club’s first mid-week action in league play has finally arrived, pitting Sacramento against New Mexico United this Wednesday at Heart Health Park. The match will provide another chance for the club to stay unbeaten at home this season, as well as build on the positive results up top that have generated chance after chance to score in recent weeks.
At a Glance: #SACvNM
- Saturday, May 4
- 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
It’s been all positive at training this week for the club, knowing that all they need is a lucky bounce or the right final decision to open the floodgates. The club created 16 opportunities from close range on Saturday – and if they are able to do it again, it’s very likely more than just one will cross the line.
Sacramento is confident even if they didn’t get the result they wanted against Las Vegas Saturday. The club rebounded from a slow opening 30 minutes and put Lights FC on their heels for the final hour of the match, tallying 25 shots – their highest total in league play since last October – and putting 12 on target. Contributions came from all over, keeping high the squad’s confidence in every single player. Luther Archimede gave opposing defenders trouble all night, Dan Casey came up from the back to net the equalizer in the 37th, and Rafa Jauregui and Emil Cuello each came inches from breaking the tie for Sacramento off the bench as time ticked down.
Know Your Opponent
New Mexico United will be looking at Wednesday’s contest as a big chance to get right. Their last two matches have ended in heartbreak, each 1-0 defeats decided at the penalty spot. Against Phoenix Rising FC on April 16, the club failed to convert from the mark in stoppage time, keeping them from salvaging a draw; and a 67th minute penalty against San Antonio FC a week later put them down for the second consecutive match. The club has had a lot of time to put those results behind them however, as they will be taking the pitch for the first time since April 23.
A grouping of dangerous players on the offensive end will surely pose a threat to Republic FC’s vaunted backline Wednesday. Neco Brett and Harry Schwartz have combined to score five of the club’s eight goals on the season, and midfielder Justin Portillo leads all of USL in chances created, making his containment in the final third crucial. In addition, no club in the entire league has been more disciplined – meaning set piece opportunities for Sacramento will come at a premium.
Head to Head History
Wednesday marks just the third meeting between the two clubs, all of them coming in 2019. The last contest was in the qualifying round of the 2019 playoffs, where Sacramento took a 2-1 win behind an 82nd minute game-winner.
All-time, Republic FC has taken two wins and fallen just once, defeating New Mexico once in Sacramento and once on the road in Albuquerque. Republic FC also holds the all-time scoring advantage, putting in six while only conceding three.
