After a 10-day break, Republic FC returns to the pitch this week for a Tuesday night matchup in the U.S. Open Cup. The season’s biggest contest thus far brings Colorado Rapids east to the River City for the very first time, with a Round of 16 berth in the nation’s oldest tournament on the line.
Matching up opposite an MLS club is not something new, as the game will mark Sacramento’s 12th all-time game against an upper-division foe. It always brings a new gear to the players, club, fans, and more looking to emerge on top from match with David vs. Goliath billing attached to it. So far this year, the upsets that have occurred have been big for each victor, and tough to swallow for the defeated.
“Obviously, when you when you come up against an MLS opponent, it’s adds a little bit of glitz and glamour to the occasion,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs on Friday. “On that one night, on that one game where we perform and they don’t potentially, you have an opportunity to create a special night and hopefully that’s what happens on Tuesday.”
With both squads on impressive runs, its sure to be a can’t-miss contest. The Rapids are coming off eight straight without a loss, including a strong road victory on the weekend against LA Galaxy. The club has been stellar defensively all season, allowing for results against some of MLS’s best so far in 2023 and putting them at the playoff line. Sacramento’s looking to extend its unbeaten run to 11 matches – and to do that, they know the same intensity that’s gotten them to this point will be necessary.
“You have to give the opponent the respect they deserve,” said Head Coach Mark Briggs. “We’re obviously playing against an opponent that can hurt you in any phase of the game in any moment. So we’ve got to make sure that we understand everything that they may possibly do and understand the qualities that their players have.”
“[We need] to be ready for a battle,” said Conor Donovan. “He [Coach Briggs] has the confidence in us and we have the confidence in each other. This team this year has put so much good work in, that’s what we’re focused on is putting the same work and effort that we’ve put in all season.”
The contest is big for the pursuit of a goal additional to winning every time the club takes the field. A trophy potentially lies ahead if the club continues to get results in knockout contests and keeps the strong mentality they have to this point.
“Obviously, we expect to put out a strong performance at home. We want to win the game – that’s the bottom line, is to move on,” said Russell Cicerone.
“We put a lot of focus on this competition, and it’s something that we want to try and do well in,” Briggs went on. “We face an MLS opponent a round earlier than what we did last year, and a very good opponent in that. We’ve got to make sure that the guys the guys have belief when we turn up on Tuesday night.”
