Just 14 days sit between Republic FC and the highly-anticipated 2023 season opener against El Paso Locomotive FC.
In week four of training camp, exhibition contests put Sacramento up against regional rivals to test their toughness and progress. After three matches against MLS sides in Arizona and Texas, Republic FC took on Monterey Bay F.C., and Central Valley Fuego FC in a pair on matches on Saturday and Wednesday.
Against Monterey Bay F.C., Republic FC fought from behind to secure a draw after going into the break at a 2-0 deficit. The club threatened early, putting the Seaside club on their heels frequently in set piece situations, but wouldn’t find the net until the 80th minute. Two scores from Jack Gurr in the final ten minutes of the match rewarded the club’s constant pressure with another result, a 2-2 draw at Cardinale Stadium.
Wednesday, the club continued on, traveling to Fresno for another exhibition against League One side Central Valley Fuego FC. A strong 20 minutes closed the contest with Sacramento threatening constantly from the 70th minute on. A score from Zeiko Lewis, assisted by Rafa Jauregui, brought the club to within one, and the Quails had Fuego FC on their heels for the remainder of the contest. A preseason full line change would get more run into the depths of the squad, but Sacramento wouldn’t find the equalizer in the Central Valley.
“We’re going in a good direction, things are starting to go into place,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs after Wednesday’s match in Fresno. “Now we need to start to put those things into results. Performances don’t matter when you get to the season, when it’s about results.”
The two contests were a good exercise and again provided the squad valuable minutes. Moving forward, however, the goal for the final preseason matches changes as the squad progresses further.
Additional on-field tests await Sacramento in their preparations for March 11. On March 1, the club takes on rival Oakland Roots SC behind closed doors on the road. Three days later, on March 4, the club gets its first taste of fans in the stands at Heart Health Park when Monterey Bay F.C. comes to town to close the exhibition slate. Against league opponents – the two matches will see Sacramento looking to enter their final form ahead of the season opener – in which El Paso Locomotive won’t be an easy foe to best on the road.
