A tough test for Sacramento this Saturday also provides a tremendous opportunity, as the club heads to the Lone Star State for a meeting with league leader San Antonio FC. The two already faced off once this season, and this time Sacramento has added momentum with consecutive 4-0 victories putting them in a great mindset. San Antonio enters off a strong performance of their own earlier in the week.
Sacramento’s looking at this match with one thing in mind: opportunity. The entire squad is ready to show their stuff against the top team in the league, and their mindset in preparation has proved it. Every player is showing again why they’ve able to compete with any team at any level throughout the season.
“We’re just looking forward to the big game on the weekend,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “[The] guys have been excellent this week in training, and excited to pit themselves against the number one team.”
“We know how important the game coming up this weekend is,” said Duke Lacroix.” So [we’re] preparing mentally, physically tactically, for what we have to do to get three points on the weekend in San Antonio, coming against one of the best teams in the league.”
To beat the best, Sacramento’s momentum will be a key factor. Securing two wins the last two weeks in as dominant a fashion as they have has provided a spark, as it would for any club. They know, however, that keeping it going will provide a big jolt into the last few weeks of the season.
“I think we’re in great form,” said Matt LaGrassa. And I think we’re just trying to keep the momentum rolling and keep believing in what we’re doing.”
“We’ve just got to continue focusing on one game at a time, and [continue] doing the things that we’ve been doing well,” Briggs continued.
With the playoff picture in the Western Conference starting to solidify, the match Saturday could have an impact on who seeds where. San Antonio needs just one point to secure the top spot in the west, and Sacramento’s magic number for a berth is now countable on one hand. Often a source of distractions, that talking point has instead solidified where the club’s focus lies. It’s where it’s been all year – performing their best every time they take the pitch.
“We’re just focused on each game as it comes, trying to get as many points as we can from the remaining games, and then see who we face in the playoffs,” Briggs said. “The message is focusing on each day, focusing on each game, and just being present.
