Republic FC club grinded out a point on the road Saturday to maintain their position at the top of the Western Conference table. Against San Antonio – unbeaten at Toyota Field for over a year – the club was the better side for a majority of the contest. A scoreless draw was the result in the Lone Star state.
Matching up what many consider to be the league’s top two squads to this point, the match saw each side get their chances. It was a gritty, back and forth, evenly played contest where both parties always seemed to have an answer. For Sacramento, a draw isn’t what they wanted, but a result they’ll take in a challenging place to play.
“To grind out a point and be the better team, I was really pleased with the guys and what they put in tonight,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “To come away with a point from a very difficult place after our week is very pleasing.”
Particularly strong was Republic FC’s mental approach. It’s tough to play against the Texas side – whose physical, direct, and disruptive style can knock teams off their tracks. That didn’t happen to the Quails in Texas. Instead, they kept to what they talked about the whole week leading up and played on their terms.
“The desire that the guys’ showed tonight was amazing I think,” said midfielder Luis Felipe. “They put on a fight. It was a good result on the road against a team like that.”
“I think the guys all dug in, the guys all played their role,” said Briggs. “We defended very well, and to keep a clean sheet here is very positive.”
Now, the club turns its focus to three more matches at home, starting with the club that eliminated them from last year’s postseason – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. It’ll be a tough one against a squad with some familiar faces and a strong attack. But with their strong home record this season, confidence is high.
“It gives us a lot of momentum to be back home with our fans to play Colorado,” Luis Felipe continued. “With the record we have so far I think it gives us a platform to go on to next weekend and get a win.”
