The Indomitable Club opens a stretch of three matches in eight days this Saturday. To kick it off, Detroit City FC come west to Heart Health Park for the first time in the two club’s second all-time meeting. After a dominating win over Colorado Springs, Sacramento is looking for consecutive victories in league play for the second time this season and its eighth straight unbeaten result to open the year across all competitions.
Coming in, Sacramento continues to give every opponent they face respect. The Motor City side visiting this week has been strong in several aspects, particularly on defense, where the club has allowed only five goals all season. A hunger to get back into the win column and set themselves up for success in a busy week of their own coming up is sure to challenge the Indomitable Club.
“Detroit’s a good team,” said goalkeeper Danny Vitiello Thursday. “They are very structured and organized, and it’s going to be tough to break them down.”
“They’re a talented team – they’ve got good morals when it comes to defense and they are going to work hard,” said Conor Donovan. “So I think it’s just us bringing our energy that we always bring when we play at home and raising the level, and moving the ball quick.
Through six weeks, Sacramento’s backline has shined. A streak of four straight shutouts – which now stands as the club record – has a chance to be extended when the club takes the pitch again on Saturday. What’s gotten them to this point hasn’t been continued collective contributions by all eleven on the pitch, a strong mentality, and the club all being on the same page.
“No matter who’s on the field, we have 11 guys who want to defend our goal,” echoed Vitiello. “A big thing this group wants to do is be lethal in both boxes, on the offensive side and defensive side of the ball. And you’re seeing just that. It’s all credit to the backline and guys in front of me.”
“It’s every player that steps on the field being willing to give everything they have for the badge,” Head Coach Mark Briggs said of what’s sparked the club’s defensive excellence. “And when you do that you have a collective identity, a collective mentality that leads to clean sheets. And then it’s pride in keeping the ball out of our goal.”
This week, Sacramento wants to come out fast just like they were able to last week against Colorado Springs. When the squad plays how they want to, every player knows the challenge they bring for opposing squads. It’s part of what has led to a lot of success this season.
“I think every home game we have to approach the same way, no matter who the opponent is,” Briggs continued. “Detroit are a better team than what I feel their results have shown so far. We need to make sure we come out and we play our way and play our style and we do the things that have got the results we have so far.”
“We’re playing at home. So [we have to] bring the energy, start fast, and just keep doing what we’re doing,” Donovan continued.
