Sacramento’s Friday trip to Colorado didn’t go the club’s way, as the Quails suffered their first defeat in six weeks. Republic FC fought hard, but great execution from Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ dangerous attacking unit resulted in three scores against Sacramento for the first time all season. Mark Briggs’ Men were unable to find the net in the contest for just the third time this year.
Not Their Day
Although Sacramento was kept scoreless, they had their fair share of chances to get on the board during the contest – Republic FC actually held a narrow advantage in expected goals. But as sometimes happens they just couldn’t get one over the line.
A pair of well-placed crosses in the first half provided great chances to get on the board – with Rodrigo Lopez serving up a great ball from the left flank on a set piece and Zeiko Lewis doing the same from the right. Substitutions to bring on Rafa Jauregui, Luther Archimede and Maalique Foster resulted in more opportunity in the second half, including a great look in the 68th minute. But good work in the box, an offside flag, and perhaps some tough luck kept them out of net and club would finish the match with just three attempts on target.
“[It was] just one of those days we could have played until next week, and we wouldn’t have scored,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs after the match. “[We] just need to learn from it, move on and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Too Much Space
After the hosts opened the scoring in the 14th minute, 2021 Golden-Boot winner Hadji Barry netted two scores to extend the Switchbacks’ lead. Just after the half-hour mark, Colorado Springs won the ball in the air and played across the middle unchallenged to Barry with just one man in front of him, and no pursuers from behind. The striker took one touch to the right before punching through an easy look from the top of the box.
Barry’s next score came just after the break – after he again made his way into unclaimed space in the middle of the pitch unmarked. One touch forward and a well-placed shot just inside the left post put his club up 3-0.
Lots to Account For
Republic FC was given a slight taste of their own medicine during the match, as the Colorado club was lethal in transition and put Sacramento in conflict on defense well. The club’s first score came on the run, after Michee Ngalina broke past the back line and, for what may seem like the first time all season, beat Dan Casey one-on-one before dishing forward to Elvis Amoh for the score.
Colorado had Sacramento on their heels more than once after that, as a result of holding a high line on the attack. In addition, Switchbacks took advantage of two wins of possession in the attacking third to put even more pressure on the visitors.
