The Indomitable Club suffered its first home loss all season long on Saturday, making them the last team league-wide to fall on their home turf this season. Sacramento put in a valiant effort for all 90 minutes to the tune of a lopsided 19-5 comparison in total shots, but was unable to find the net as Birmingham Legion parked the bus on the club defensively.
Chances on Chances on Chances
Coming in, Mark Briggs made a couple tweaks to his starting attacking unit, putting in Maalique Foster for Douglas Martinez, and Keko back in the starting XI for the first time since June 21. The duo performed well and put pressure on Birmingham almost constantly, but was unable to find net in part due to stout goalkeeping and a tough time finishing. Just three of Sacramento’s 19 shots for the contest went on target – all of them saved – with another two going off the post.
“I thought after the goal we actually came back and created a number of opportunities and played some good football,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “But it just wasn’t to be tonight. Just was one of those nights where it didn’t feel like the ball was gonna go in.”
Bus Parking Only
After the visitor’s opening score, Mark Briggs’ Men found themselves with a tough assignment. Even early in the match, Legion began putting numbers behind the ball to prevent Sacramento from breaking them down. Maalique Foster constantly found himself defended by two men, as Birmingham’s deep set allowed them to keep up with the Jamaican’s speed. The club’s 23 crosses more often than not were sent away, or found players with little space to work. In a way, it gave Republic FC a taste of their own medicine from how they defeated LA Galaxy last month – with a collective defensive effort.
Focus for All 90
Ultimately, it was a second-minute score by Birmingham’s Juan Agudelo that decided the contest. The forward pushed ahead in transition through open space behind the midfield, and got one past Danny Vitiello without a problem. Post-match, the score served as a reminder to the Quails that keeping concentration from the opening whistle is paramount. From that point forward Sacramento statistically outperformed the visitors, but the grey cloud of a one-goal deficit couldn’t be overcome.
“Obviously they came out wanting it more than we did, and that’s what happens when we don’t start the games, you know, mentally all there,” said Rodrigo Lopez after the match. “You give a team a chance so early like that and they’re gonna punish us. And obviously they did a great job of just, you know, sitting back and making it hard for us to get chances.”
