After two draws and the club’s first clean sheet performance of the season, Republic FC turns its attention to another contest in their twelve-day, four-match run. Sunday, Sacramento will take the pitch in New Jersey for their first-ever road meeting with New York Red Bulls II in a Mother’s Day matinee.
At a Glance: #SACvNY
- Saturday, April 23
- 10:00 a.m. PT kickoff
- MSU Soccer Park, Montclair, New Jersey
- How to watch: English and Spanish broadcasts available on FOX40, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News mobile app, streaming on ESPN+
Republic FC – The Latest
It’s already been a busy week for Sacramento coming off a Saturday and Wednesday match. Sunday’s showdown continues the stretch where Republic FC mix USL league play with a U.S. Open cup showdown to kick off May. But while the squad may feel as if they may have left points on the pitch in their last two matches, they’re keeping their heads held high. The defense held the line and earned a clean sheet, while the offensive side of things still looks to bear down on teams, create chances and drive the pace of play to eventually find the back of the net.
The squad’s depth will be a major key to taking three points. The offseason squad build and the strength of a youth development academy add to the tremendous depth of the club, making rotational moves an opportunity to help keep players fresh as the first quarter of the season comes to a close.
Know Your Opponent
After taking three points in Week 2, New York has been on a bit of a skid – the club’s since been kept scoreless four times in six contests and netted only three scores. Some of that has come from a tough schedule that’s seen them face off with a confident Detroit City squad, the league’s best in Louisville City FC, and fall as a result of a pair of stellar individual performances from their opponents. They’ve had a tough time converting, posting just a 6% clip on the season and putting only a third of their shots on target.
Goalkeeper Anthony Marcucci has responded well to the pressure his club has faced. He’ll enter the contest second in the entire league in saves behind Tulsa’s Sean Lewis. On the attack, youngsters Jeremy Rafanello and John Murphy are responsible for a bulk of the clubs scoring opportunities this season.
Head to Head
Sacramento has faced off with New York just one time historically – a 3-1 result last July at Heart Health Park that saw Luis Felipe put in a brace and a nab a Team of the Week selection. But each squad saw a number of new faces join the fray this season, meaning the contest will likely look a lot different. Entering the match, Sacramento has had better luck, claiming 12 points (3-2-3 record) in the table to New York’s four (1-6-1 record), and outscoring them ten to four.
