This weekend, Republic FC fans finally get their first look at the 2023 squad at the final preseason exhibition of training camp. Monterey Bay F.C. visits Heart Health Park this Saturday as each club prepares to make its final tune-ups and adjustments ahead of the USL Championship season.
At a Glance: #SACvMB
- Saturday, March 4
- 1:00 p.m. PT kickoff
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Tickets – also provide access to Fan Fest post-match
- No Broadcast Available – follow @SacRepublicFC on Twitter for updates
Republic FC – The Latest
Sacramento’s been in action frequently this preseason. Saturday’s match will be the eighth in five weeks, and in that time, the squad’s made significant progress. With the full squad together, all that remains for Mark Briggs men are to make the final touches to ensure they are ready for the challenge El Paso Locomotive will bring to them on opening night.
Know Your Opponent
Just like Sacramento, Monterey Bay will be looking to close out their preseason slate on a high note. The club enters the match winless in exhibitions this season, taking on local foes Oakland Roots and San Jose Earthquakes, in addition to Sacramento on February 18. With a tough stretch on the schedule to open the season against Hartford Athletic, 2022 Eastern Conference Winner Louisville City FC, and a retooled Rio Grande Valley, they’ll be making sure all the pieces are in place.
As did last season, Monterey will pose a tough challenge. The club brings back a bulk of its 2022 squad, having signed 10 players from last year’s roster to multi-year contracts during the offseason. They’ll be looking to build on a strong finish to their debut campaign, where they missed the playoff line by just six points.
Head to Head
This is the second match between the two clubs this preseason. February 18, they played to a 2-2 draw at Cardinale Stadium. Last season, Sacramento bested the Seaside club 3-2 in the final preseason contest of the year, also at Heart Health Park.
In league play in 2022, Republic FC claimed wins in two of three contests, securing three points at home on April 2 and again on June 25, a road contest where Sacramento came from behind to secure the result and cap off a perfect 5-0 month of June.
