After a strong road win in Hartford last Friday, Sacramento takes on another East Coast opponent this week when they travel to the Sunshine State. The Indomitable Club lines up opposite a hot Tampa Bay Rowdies side for the first time in club history, looking for a third straight win.
At a Glance: #SACvTBR
- 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff
- Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Watch: Antenna TV 40.2, FOX40.com and the FOX40 News Mobile App, ESPN+
- Watch Party: Nitty’s Cider – 3201 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
Republic FC – The Latest
The Quails put four goals in the back of the net last Friday in Hartford, closing May on a tear offensively. Each came off the foot of a different player, as Jack Gurr found his career high third on the season, Sebastian Herrera and Luther Archimède scored their second, and Russell Cicerone bagged his league-leading ninth of the year. The result gave Sacramento seven goals in its last two games, and 10 in its last four dating to May 13. As the calendar turns to June, Sacramento knows it’ll be tough as they continue their road trip at the home of a side that’s been very hot of late.
Know Your Opponent – Tampa Bay
The Rowdies turned around a slow start to the season in May, winning all four games they played. They enter the contest on a five-match winning streak. During that run, the club has been arguably the best in the East, combining explosive offense with lockdown backline play to the tune of a 13-2 scoring differential. Last week, they took advantage of opponent mistakes to take a 2-1 victory vs. Colorado Springs.
Players to Watch
Former Oakland Roots attacker Charlie Dennis leads the league in opportunities created since joining Tampa Bay in the offseason. He’s added five goals this season to co-lead the squad. In addition, New England Revolution loanee Ryan Spaulding has been key to the club’s form of late, assisting in each of the last four games.
For Sacramento, Russell Cicerone enters having scored in each of his last three matches. He has scored three times and assisted twice in his career against Tampa Bay. Alongisde him, Sebastian Herrera has been on an equally impressive run up top, putting three goals in across his last five games.
Head-to-Head
Republic FC and the Rowdies have never faced off all-time. On the stat sheet, Sacramento has the edge with a scoring differential of +18 as compared to Tampa’s +6, and with six clean sheets to Tampa’s four. The two sides have faced six similar opponents on the year – Indy Eleven, Detroit, Charleston, San Diego, Orange County, and Colorado Springs. Sacramento has recorded wins over Indy, Detroit, Colorado and San Diego, while and Tampa Bay bested Detroit twice and Colorado Springs once.
