As the postseason opens, Republic FC is well prepared for what lies ahead. Throughout the season, few squads across the USL have put themselves in better positions to win week in and week out, winning tough games in every kind of way. On a big night for Sacramento, Republic FC is back in the playoffs set to kick off another push for hardware, and Saturday’s match could put the club one step closer to the main goal of the season – lifting the trophy as the last team standing.
The squad is already looking at the playoff bracket as a new four-game competition. And at the outset, Sacramento has an ace up their sleeve not all squads do – a breadth of postseason experience from top to bottom. After a season spent delivering in big, high-leverage moments, every player appears ready to navigate the intricate dance the playoffs provide, and the louder crowds and larger rewards that come with it.
“You get more people, and more excitement,” said Nick Ross. “The crowd is louder. And if you win, you’re there. If you lose your season’s over, so it’s exciting.”
“These are the games that everyone wants to play, because we fight during the regular season to achieve [and make it] to these games,” said Douglas Martinez. “This is the brilliance of the league.”
Every member of the team was integral to the U.S. Open Cup run, and in addition, nine players on this season’s roster possess USL postseason experience. That combined experience figures to be a factor Saturday as the club lines up New Mexico United. Between them, Sacramento players have won four titles and played in 40 playoff matches. Two won a title last year as teammates in USL League One.
An experienced squad provides all kind of value come tournament time – dealing with the nerves and navigating tough moments often are easier, knowing you’ve been there before. The more experienced side taking advantage of the flustered group in their first opportunity to achieve glory happens not just in football.
“There’s one game, one match to leave it all out there and you move on. So you just have to really focus on everything,” said Ferrety Sousa, who captained Union Omaha to the League One title in 2021. “You need to really go out there like it’s your last game, because it could easily be your last 90 minutes out there if you don’t produce.”
While there’s little, if any, room for complacency in knockout football, every player knows that experience gives them an edge – and recent experience even more so. Six on the squad played in the postseason just a year ago, so all are well aware of how things can quickly change on a dime because of how much each match means.
“Anything can happen, so we need to be ready” Ross continued. “We need to take it to them because they’re going to come [here] and try and upset us.”
