After a quick trip south, Republic FC returns to Heart Health Park for a regional derby with Oakland Roots SC. It is the second contest between the two clubs this season after an Open Cup tie in April, and the ninth all time.
At a Glance: #SACvOAK
- Pre and Post-Match Party: Rock & Brews
- Gates open at 5:30 p.m., kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
- Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
- Tickets
- Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, ESPN+
- Drink Special: $6 draft beers until 6:45 p.m.
Republic FC – The Latest
The Quails nine-match unbeaten run to open the 2023 season ended on Wednesday night. An early score for Orange County SC ended as the winner in a 1-0 result favoring the hosts as Sacramento was kept scoreless for just the second time this season. The club returns home looking for a big response against their rival, who they bested last month in the U.S. Open Cup.
“The good thing about this loss [is] we got another game on Saturday at home,” said defender Conor Donovan following Wednesday’s loss. “We love playing at home in front of our fans, so we’re just looking for a reaction from the boys and the whole team and to put in a good afternoon Saturday.”
Know Your Opponent
Sacramento has a lot to contend with against their rival squad. The Bay Area side enters the match looking for redemption after being bested in the U.S. Open Cup on April 26, and in good form coming off two straight wins. Oakland always plays Sacramento tough and this match will be no different.
In their last two matches, the Roots have scored seven times to climb up the league’s scoring leaderboard to seventh with 14 goals. Alongside its offensive form, the club has also been stellar on the backline, conceding just once in that stretch and only five times since April 1.
Players to Watch
Former Sacramento forward Darek Formella enters the contest having found net in each of his last two matches, tallying four total goals on the year. Half his scores have come from the penalty spot, however, the Polishman remains a capable threat that brings a lot of physicality. Alongside him, Venezuelan Edgardo Rito has had a stellar campaign, tallying 16 chances created from a high-playing midfield role.
After not featuring in the club’s Wednesday tilt in Irvine, Luis Felipe is expected to return to the starting XI with fresh legs. All-time against the Bay Area side, the Brazilian has tallied two goals and one assist, making him one of the most frequent offensive contributors in the fixture.
Head to Head
Saturday will be the ninth all-time meeting between Sacramento and Oakland. Republic FC have taken the last two, each by 1-0 score lines, and enter the contest with a head-to-head record of two wins, one loss, and five draws.
The two clubs have played each other tight every time out, with all eight past matchups being decided by one score or fewer. Five matches have ended with points being shared, including two back-and-forth results at Heart Health Park that ended 3-3 in June 2021 and last July 16.
