Republic FC will look to extend its unbeaten start to six matches this Saturday in another inter-conference contest. In their way this week stands Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, making its only visit to Heart Health Park this season. The club comes to Sacramento on a two-match unbeaten run of their own.
Last Week’s Drama
Switchbacks FC narrowly escaped with a victory last week as late-game heroics put them ahead of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC with 10 minutes to go. A saved penalty in the 75th minute denied what would have been the opener for the club, taken by former Sacramento striker Maalique Foster. The club dominated possession at a 67% clip, and as a result, held the Hounds to just six shots and one on target.
Offseason Moves
On the sidelines, Technical Director Stephen Hogan now leads the club as its Head Coach following Brendan Burke’s January move to Houston Dynamo. Little changes beneath him – he actually coached Colorado Springs in their match in Sacramento last August.
Even before he took on his new post, Hogan led a busy winter for the club. To add back the pace lost by Hadji Barry and Elvis Amoh’s moves to Egypt and Hartford Athletic, the club brought on Romario Williams from New Mexico United and two faces familiar to Republic FC fans – Maalique Foster and Duke Lacroix. In the midfield, another Sacramento alumni came to the Rockies from D.C. United in Drew Skundrich. James Musa ventured north from Phoenix Rising FC, which has given the club a stabilizing presence on the backline for new goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky.
Players to Watch
Forward Romario Williams has bagged the game-winner in consecutive matches for his club and looks to be finding his footing in the early goings this season. Alongside him up top will likely be Foster, who Sacramento knows brings next-level speed to every field he steps on. While he didn’t start last week against Pittsburgh, the Jamaican will surely be itching to face his former club.
Head-to-Head
Sacramento and Colorado Springs last faced off in the Conference Semifinal round of the 2022 postseason, with the Rocky Mountain club besting the Quails in extra time 2-1. In last year’s regular season, each side took a 3-0 victory on its home turf to split the season fixture.
All-time, each club has an identical 5-5-2 record against the other, with Sacramento scoring 17 times to Colorado Springs’ 14. Republic FC recorded four straight wins over the club from 2018 to 2019.
